We have a few outlets in our house that wont work, the one in the garage that controls the garage door opener, one in the bathroom, one on 1 wall in our living room that goes out now and again. we also have a light switch that burns bulbs as soon as we replace them.
I have switched all the fuses off, then on again, it has not solved the problem...I am guessing we have a short somewere, what is your opion?
thanks
2007-01-22 01:04:46 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
This is one that had so many answers I was going to not reply. Some of the answers were so bad that I decided to reply anyway.
Sorry to be so blunt, but you are dealing with electricity and it can kill you or cause injury or damage. A person needs to understand what they are doing or it is too dangerous to even try.
The first thing to look for when several things stop working at the same time is the fuses or circuit breakers. That does not explain the light bulb symptom. It may or may not be related. Typically, it is two separate problems.
You have already reset the breakers and it didn't help. From your choice of words, I know that you now need to call a pro.
If you, or an answerer, thinks that all electrical problems are a short circuit, you are over your head trying to diagnose this. A short circuit is a very specific problem, not a generic description as you and others have used it.
Also, you can NOT switch a fuse off and then on again, as you stated. You are describing a circuit breaker. Not knowing the terminology is another key that tells me you should not be working on this project.
The chance of it being a neutral problem blowing out the light bulbs is almost zero. Yes, neutral problems do happen, but they blow out light bulbs about one in a million times.
I realize that this is not going to be a very popular answer, sorry. You are dealing with something too dangerous to tackle without the proper knowlege. You cannot learn enough about electrical safety from here. Even if you did, you can not learn enough about problem diagnosis here.
P.S. I looked up some of your other questions and answers here. You are obviously intellegent. Never-the-less, this is outside of your skill level.
Just looked to see who put a star on this question. LOL, you are humerous too :-)
2007-01-22 06:46:09 · answer #1 · answered by DSM Handyman 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think it is the fuse problem. because light bulbs need very low wattage and will not short the fuses unless u have a motor.
To me it must be caused by loose screws that not able to secure tightly all the wires in the sockets or switches.
You should shut off the main switch first then check one by one all the wiring screws that tighten the wires connection inside the sockets ,switches, fuse box etc
2007-01-22 01:24:59 · answer #2 · answered by old timer cheetah 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You may have a bad fuse is your fuse box. I suggest a pro electrician to check out your panel. Or the wireing may not be attached to the outlets. The home improvment stores sell devices for around $10.00 that when you place them near the outlets they let you know if current is getting to them. That will at least narrow your problem down some.
2007-01-22 01:11:41 · answer #3 · answered by JAYTM_73 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
All the things you desribe point to GFI (ground fault interupter circuit), this is a special device that is installed in wet enviroments to prevent shock. Look in your breaker panel for a breaker that is different from the rest, it will usually have an additional round rest button on it. If you dont find a breaker like this then start looking at outlets for one that is in a square opening, it will have two buttons (reset and test) push the reset. This will be in your bathroom or possibly near your electrical box.
2007-01-22 02:19:43 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Ok sounds like you have a broken ground wire somewhere.
To explain: A light bulb is a resistor, I it make for 120 volts ac. Now you home is wire with two 120volt circuits, call 220 volts.
If you break a ground wire then you may get both lines combine to one and give you 220 volts to your light bulb this would cause it to burn out real real fast like when you screw it in and turn it on.
Yea you need someone to check this out that know what they are looking for and please do it soon.
2007-01-22 02:15:24 · answer #5 · answered by jjnsao 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
sounds like you have a problem with a neutral connection. unless you are confidant in you electrical skills you should contact a qualified electrician. this type of problem will not go away and could cause serious problems if ignored, such as your home catching fire.
2007-01-22 04:10:24 · answer #6 · answered by RUSSELLL 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋