We have an outlet in our kitchen that we have used actively. The other day while popping some popcorn the outlet threw, sounding like the breaker going off, however when I got to the box nothing was thrown and now this outlet doesn't work. Any ideas?
Double check the breaker. Turn it off, then back on and see if that solves the problem. I have had two breakers do this in the past year (they trip, but don't visibly move, so they still look as they should). (08/29/2005)
By Laurie
First I would check the breakers and turn all of them off and back on. Sometimes they pop without showing it. That's when most electricians dig out a box of Q-tips and thoroughly clean
the breaker box, to justify the traveling time to the service call.
If that is not the problem, it gets more difficult. Without taking the outlet out, it is impossible to diagnose. It could be the outlet, or it could be one of the wires going to the outlet. Most likely it is one of the wires going to the outlet and showing
If there is no noticeable break, even when the outlet is pulled out and the wires wiggled with a wooden spoon to feel for a break within the insulation, then it will be necessary to use a
volt meter or a voltage tester from the Dollar store to check for the presence of electricity. If there is no electricity between the black and white wires, but there is between the output end of that breaker and the block of white wires, then the break is somewhere in the wall. In that case the break has to be pinpointed with a buzz or tone tester and repaired by an electrician. DearWebby (08/29/2005)
By ThriftyFun
When ours did this and we checked the breakers, we replaced the outlet and solved the problem
(08/29/2005)
By Rose Mary B
Master bath outlets stopped working. Light and outlets are on same breaker. Lights work, the breaker is not tripped. The GFI is tripped and won't reset. The other outlets don't have readings. I put a tester on GFI and it shows a open neutral. The other outlets nothing. I bought a new GFI and the meter read open hot. Really confused. Any help? Thanks. Rich
Editor's Note: We sent this one to Dear Webby who has lots of electrical knowledge:
In this case I would highly recommend that he call an electrician. Anybody who calls the GROUNDED (white wire) a "neutral", should not be allowed near screwdrivers without competent supervision. Electricity can, and often does, kill, especially in wet and damp environments.
Most likely some wires are mixed up and touching a ground in a light fixture or mirror cabinet, creating a potentially deadly trap for non-electricians. If an amateur complicates that situation, it will just be that much more expensive.
(09/05/2008)
By rich
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