How do I fix an outlet with no power?
I recently installed an exterior outlet for outside christmas lights, by pigtailing the new line into an exsisting junction box. Later that night my street lost power for a couple of hours…and since then the outlet doesn’t work. Here’s what I know: NONE of the wires going in and out of the box are hot (4) including my new one. The breaker is fine. All other lights and outlets on that breaker work. There is no reset switch on any of the outlets. If my new outlet is bad, would that do it, and would the other lights work, but that box still be dead? How do I check? Should I tap into a different box…because nothing else in my house has been affected? Thanks for any advise, or help.-Art
IF NONE OF THE 4 WIRES IN THE J BOX HAVE POWER, THEN YOU MUST HAVE ADDITION OUTLETS/SWITCHES THAT ARE NOT WORKING?
MOST Christmas Lights HAVE A FUSE BUILT-IN TO THEIR PLUGS. WHEN THE POWER CAME BACK ON IT MAY HAVE SURGED AND BLEW THE FUSES.
DID YOU RESET THE BREAKER? SOMETIMES THEY APPEAR TO BE OK, BUT ARE NOT. TRY SWITCHING IT OFF THEN BACK ON.
Posted in Install Christmas Lights
March 11th, 2010 at 7:51 pm
IF NONE OF THE 4 WIRES IN THE J BOX HAVE POWER, THEN YOU MUST HAVE ADDITION OUTLETS/SWITCHES THAT ARE NOT WORKING?
MOST CHRISTMAS LIGHTS HAVE A FUSE BUILT-IN TO THEIR PLUGS. WHEN THE POWER CAME BACK ON IT MAY HAVE SURGED AND BLEW THE FUSES.
DID YOU RESET THE BREAKER? SOMETIMES THEY APPEAR TO BE OK, BUT ARE NOT. TRY SWITCHING IT OFF THEN BACK ON.
References :
March 11th, 2010 at 8:35 pm
It is very possible that a power surge blew your outlet. Check the breaker first, and if that doesn’t help, replace the outlet. It is very possible that you were drawing too much load (Christmas light eat a lot of juice) and the circuit couldn’t handle the draw. I would suggest that you rewire the entire outlet onto a new breaker, especially if it is for an outside outlet. Make sure there is a ground fault for the outlet as well. Outside outlets are exposed to moisture that can cause a fire.
You could also call an experienced (licensed) electrician to check the outlet. Most of them will give free inspections/ estimates. If the wiring you did your self isn’t up to local building codes, you could be running the risk of a house fire.
References :