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    Kikid123's Avatar
    Kikid123 Posts: 2, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #1

    Sep 5, 2015, 08:20 PM
    Electrical issue
    Flipped hallway light switch. Lights came on for split second then "popped" off. Checked bulbs still worked. Breaker didn't flip manually flipped it off and on anyway. Checked all GFI's in house. Replaced the switch in question. Unplugged several items and tested. Only half of the outlets and switches don't work on the one breaker the other half does. It seems the outlets on the same wall are the ones not working. House was built in either late 90s early 2000s. Please please help?!
    hkstroud's Avatar
    hkstroud Posts: 11,929, Reputation: 899
    Home Improvement & Construction Expert
    		  
    #2

    Sep 5, 2015, 10:31 PM
    Pull one of the non-working outlets. See if it was wired using the "quick connect" holes in the back instead of the screw terminals on the side.

    The "quick connect" holes are known to develop bad connections after a period of time, usually about 10 years. The bad connection can be at the last working outlet or switch or the first non-working outlet.

    If you find the "quick connects' were used it would be best to rewire all the outlets and switches using the screw terminals. You can find and fix this bad connection but others will develop later.
    Kikid123's Avatar
    Kikid123 Posts: 2, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #3

    Sep 6, 2015, 02:59 PM
    Wow that was very good advice. Thanks man. I clicked helpful on your answer. Is there anything else I can do to give you a good rating? Saved me so much not having to call an electrician and not having to wait till after Labor Day for one!
    joypulv's Avatar
    joypulv Posts: 21,591, Reputation: 2941
    current pert
    		  
    #4

    Sep 6, 2015, 03:17 PM
    Your thanks will remain here in perpetuity! (I found his answer helpful too.)
    hkstroud's Avatar
    hkstroud Posts: 11,929, Reputation: 899
    Home Improvement & Construction Expert
    		  
    #5

    Sep 6, 2015, 03:44 PM
    You are welcome. To be of assistance to someone else is its own reward.
    tombrady80's Avatar
    tombrady80 Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
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    #6

    Sep 25, 2015, 07:02 AM
    The top answer here seems to just about cover it, I had a similar issue with my lights a year or two ago and got in touch with an electrician who went through a similar process to fix it. Now I wish I’d just asked the question on this site instead of paying the electrician!
    If the problem persists though, try getting in touch with your electricity suppliers as it is not unheard of for them to get in touch with electricians themselves at slightly better rates than if you found them independently, sometimes they’ll even sort it out for free!
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