How do I fix a 110v outdoor electric plug that does not work.?

Question

My outdoor plug does not generate electricity - I tried the circuit breaker but had no luck...

Answer 1

In that you needed to ask then call a electrician

Answer 2

First be careful, I've been an electrician for twelve years now and I still get shocked on a regular basis.

Since you say no breakers are thrown I'd say the outlet itself is probably bad due to environmental deterioration. Using a screwdriver (insulated if you have one) CAREFULLY remove the cover plate to expose the mounting box.

Next there should be two screws on the top and bottom of the outlet. Remove these and pull the outlet stright out of the box. The wires on the sides may be hot so DO NOT TOUCH THEM!

There probably will be three total wires (if the fixture is grounded). One white wire (neutral), one bare wire or green (ground), and more than likely a black wire which is hot. If the outlet was wired properly from the beginning this is how it will look.

To determine if the black wire is hot I would recommend using a tester. Cheap ones can be purchased for around $20. This could prevent you from getting shocked and I recommend that you get one before changing the outlet.

If you don't mind having all the power in your house off while you do this work I'd recommend turning ALL of the house's breakers off while you do this. Replace the outlet the same way the old one was installed. On the new outlet the gold screws are for the hot or black wire, the silver screw is neutral and the green screw is ground.

I hope this helps.

Answer 3

First of all, you have to check the socket using a voltmeter (that's a tool with two electrodies and a meter). This will tell you if you're socket is getting no power or at least some power. If you're getting no power, then the problem is most probably due to faulty wiring. For that you need to rewire the circuit, and this is common especially if the house is old. If some power is trickling in then you may need to replace the socket itself because it might have been damaged from outside water, dust or hail. If this is the first time you work with sockets, then I suggest you buy a few wiring devices and practice stripping the wires and connecting them together first. Then when you feel ready, make sure the circuit breaker is OFF, and then begin to make your replacement. I suggest getting an electrician and watching him closely because that's the best way to learn.... ie by seeing an experienced person doing it first.

Answer 4

1) Is the breaker staying tripped or is it not tripping?

If it's tripped, pull the recep cover off and pull the recep out.

BE CAREFUL Just to be safe, don't touch the copper screws on the side of the recep. Get a volt meter and make sure it's dead. Check your voltmeter against a known live source to make sure it works.

After you're sure it doesn't have power, unscrew the wire leads and cap them with wire nuts. Now reset the breaker.. does it reset? If yes, your receptacle is bad, if no then you have bad wiring between you and the breaker. If any of the wires were off when you opened the box, then that would be your culprit.

2) If the breaker wasn't tripping when we started, then you must have an open circuit which means there is something broke or disconnected.

First kill the breaker and pull the receptacle out, but leave the wires hooked up. With everyone clear and the recep not touching anything, reset the breaker and go back to test voltage on the screws the wires are hooked to. You should have 110 between black and white, 110 between black and green and 0V between green and white. If this is so, the recep could be bad.

If you have zero on all wires, your black is broken, check wiring and all j-boxes or switches between you and the breaker.

If you have 110 between black and green, but your white is floating (not 110 or 0 v to green or black) then your white wire has issues. Check ohms between white and green. If not zero then Check wiring between receptacle and breaker.

3) But firstly, make sure if it's a GFCI outlet that you have pressed the reset button.

Answer 5

IF I was there. I could fix it.. I do not know or do not have enough information from you to know FOR SURE what the problem is.. Since the circuit breaker is OK(I assume) and was NOT kicked off. My next thing would be the plug itself.. I would unscrew the plate.. take it off.. then take out the two screws holding the double plug.. pull it out and see if the wires(two) are attached one on each end)... It just sounds as if the one wire might be LOOSE or off.. again.. assuming that the circuit breaker has not clicked off.

Answer 6

for you my friend, after reseting the breaker and you still dont have power then you probaly have a GCFI outlet that when it trips the outlet shuts off with out triping the main breaker. So you must reset the outlet by pushing little button on the outlet. IF not go ahead and replace the whole outlet after you taking a multimeter to see if the hot wire to the outlet produces 110 v. That is your solution.

Answer 7

the outside plug may be a gfci outlet. it will have a reset button on the face of the oputlet itself. if not it still should be gfci protected. check other outlets around the house to see if any gfci outlets are tripped and need to be reset. mostly around water, or outside is a good place to start or in the garage if it is attached. other than that you have to start by taking things apart to find the problem, in this case get a licensed electrician to be safe

Answer 8

Try this: http://www.ehow.com/how_117546_replace-receptacle.html

If you are not comfortable doing this by all means get someone qualified, for your safety's sake.