Solving Bob's Electrical Problem After Storm

[Wannabeagenius]

Hi All,

A couple of nights ago we had a fearsome rainstorm with gusts up to 55 mph. The next day, the outlet outside connected to our Christmas lights didn't work and nothing apparent seemed to be wrong. I decided to troubleshoot and fix it the next day.

Before I started my wife recommended that I check it again since it may have been related to the storm. My response was that anything related to the storm other than a power failure would cause a short and blow a fuse. She insisted so I checked again. Guess what? It worked.

Could someone please explain to me what is happening or was I correct and perhaps I still have a problem.

Thank you,

Bob

 

[berkeman]

Hi All,

A couple of nights ago we had a fearsome rainstorm with gusts up to 55 mph. The next day, the outlet outside connected to our Christmas lights didn't work and nothing apparent seemed to be wrong. I decided to troubleshoot and fix it the next day.

Before I started my wife recommended that I check it again since it may have been related to the storm. My response was that anything related to the storm other than a power failure would cause a short and blow a fuse. She insisted so I checked again. Guess what? It worked.

Could someone please explain to me what is happening or was I correct and perhaps I still have a problem.

Thank you,

Bob

Sounds like a loose or corroded contact.

I'd start with an electrical socket tester (the simple 3-neon bulb type) to check that it is wired correctly, and then (if you are comfortable with home AC Mains handyman type stuff), I'd pull the socket out of the wall and check the contacts. The problem could also be in the wall or ceiling, if a wire nut is loose and the contact is not reliable.

Have you worked with AC Mains projects at home before?

 

[Averagesupernova]

My question is that if you had to ask, how did you plan on troubleshooting in the first place? I would say that what berkeman said is about right. It may just be coincidence with the storm.

 

[Wannabeagenius]

Sounds like a loose or corroded contact.

I'd start with an electrical socket tester (the simple 3-neon bulb type) to check that it is wired correctly, and then (if you are comfortable with home AC Mains handyman type stuff), I'd pull the socket out of the wall and check the contacts. The problem could also be in the wall or ceiling, if a wire nut is loose and the contact is not reliable.

Have you worked with AC Mains projects at home before?

Thanks for the advice.

I'm not sure what you mean by AC Mains but I know how to check the outlet like you suggested.

Bob

 

[berkeman]

AC Mains is just one term for the power wiring in buildings.