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I have a room where no outlets work. The fuse looks ok. What are some things I can test for or look for before I call an electrician?
turbo said:Get an outlet tester from the local hardware store (they are really cheap) and back-track from there. Good luck.
Greg Bernhardt said:What information will that give me? I already know they don't work :)
Greg Bernhardt said:I have a room where no outlets work. The fuse looks ok. What are some things I can test for or look for before I call an electrician?
You're lucky. This is what I have to deal with in my parents old house.OmCheeto said:... kitchen was powered by the original, fused box, hidden inside one of the lower kitchen cabinets. The rest of the house was powered by the breaker box.
My house was built in 1945, and my guess is the breaker box was added during the 70's.
The rooms next to it work and show hot/neu reverse.
If only I could the wood as a safety ground.Borek said:At least cables are kept properly distanced from the wood
psparky said:Does the light work in the room? Generally they are on the same circuit.
If the light works, then I would pull out each receptacle and inspect the wiring connections. More than likely, someone did not use "rat tails" and a wire slipped out along the way.
If it is the panel, simply remove that fuse and check for power. If there is power, inspect the fuse and possibly replace. If there isn't power, a wire came lose in the fuse panel. Reconnect that wire.
Now let's see what your electrician finds...
OmCheeto said:Around these parts, the lights are supposed to be on their own circuit, per code.
This is so when you run the toaster, microwave, coffee pot, dishwasher, crockpot, coffee grinder, and blender, all at the same time, and blow the breaker, you aren't left in the dark.
I would have posted the fact that it was possible to check for a loose wire at the fuse panel, but that would have been extremely dangerous for a non-electrician to fix. (Some of us like having Greg around)
Another unlikely scenario happened at my mothers house about 30 years ago. One of the 120 volt hot lines became disconnected somehow, prior to entering the house. I scratched my head for a while with that one. Fortunately, it cost us nothing to fix, as everything prior to the post that sticks out of the roof where the wires enter, is the electric company's problem.
There are several possible causes for outlets not working in a room. These include a tripped circuit breaker, a blown fuse, a faulty outlet, or loose wiring.
To fix a tripped circuit breaker, simply locate the circuit breaker panel in your home and look for the one that is in the "off" position. Turn it back to the "on" position and check if the outlets are working again. If the circuit breaker keeps tripping, there may be an underlying issue that requires professional help.
Replacing a blown fuse can be done safely as long as you follow the proper steps and safety precautions. However, if you are not familiar with electrical work, it is best to call a licensed electrician to avoid any potential hazards.
In some cases, a faulty outlet can be fixed without the need for a professional, especially if it is a simple issue like a loose wire. However, if the outlet is damaged or shows signs of burning, it is best to call an electrician for proper repairs.
Yes, there are a few steps you can take before calling an electrician. These include checking all outlets in the room for any visible damage, resetting all tripped circuit breakers, and testing the outlets with a voltage tester to determine if there is a power supply issue. If none of these steps work, it is best to call a professional for further assistance.