Recently we had an electrician and his "team" come out and install a circuit breaker box where we had fuses. 1 week later, I unscrewed a light bulb in the master bedroom and when I inserted a new bulb, the entire MB (lights and outlets) lost power. The bathroom is on the same breaker and the power works fine in there. So....that was Monday. Here it is Friday and after 2 messages left with the guy's kid who swears that she gave him the message, he will not return my calls. I didn't even say what I was calling about!!!! Do I write the guy a letter? Call the BBB? He hasn't even sent me a bill yet (which is good).
2007-02-16 09:52:52 · 4 answers · asked by indierock1 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Based on your description the panel change has nothing to do with your current problem. Calling the board to report an electrician for something that may not be related to his work will definitely open you up to a defamation suit. Especially if you don't have a professional electrician or electrical engineer state (officially) that it was the electrician's fault.
Did you take out a permit for the work? If so, then you must have received a final inspection. Technically speaking, when an electrician replaces a panel box, they are not liable for the circuits going to it, unless there is an obvious problem at the panel location, and this will have to be addressed before final inspection takes place.
If the bathroom is on the same circuit, and is still on, then your problem sounds like a short or loose connection at your light fixture splice box. You may have twisted the socket and hence the wires going to it, while you were removing & reinstalling the bulb. This may have disconnected or loosened the splice going to the outlets.
Another remote possibility is that your bedroom lights and outlets are fed off a GFCI (maybe from the bathroom). Check and see if you have GFCIs around and if they are popped. If you do, then reset them.
If the electrician doesn't reply, then contact a new electrician and see what he finds. If he thinks it's related to the panel installation, then let him write it on his receipt and try to collect his fee from your previous electrician.
I know it's tempting to associate your current problem with the panel change, but don't jump to that conclusion just yet.
Good luck.
2007-02-17 08:17:49 · answer #1 · answered by TheElectrician 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Call another electrician and if the other guy comes back tell him he didnt complete the job. Yes, I would contact bbb for obvious reasons. It sounds like wiring issues but to the extent, Im not sure. First try checking all the circuit breakers, they are the switches inside your new panel. Make sure they are all on, wiggle them lightly to check. It may need to be reset, and the electrician may have been able to seperate the feeders. It is very common for two wires to be tied into the same fuse, especially old fuse type panels. So again test all the new breakers. If your not DIY savvy then I suggest a professional for the deeper troubleshooting. You shouldnt of lost power at all from changing bulb, not a good sign. I cant help you anymore then that because I dont advise anyone to tackle electrical troubleshooting after a new panel upgrade cause there are too many negative possibilities. Hope this helps good luck. If you do decide to go it alone then respond back and I will help as best as I can. I am a licensed Journeyman Electrcian. It wont be too bad...
2007-02-16 19:01:46 · answer #2 · answered by manny 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds to me like the new panel may have been installed with Arc Fault breakers for the bedrooms which is a good thing, in that case the breaker sensed an arc when you screwed in the bulb so it just did its job. reset the breaker switch to off then back on, you will know which one it is by seeing a test button on the breaker. But it has only been 5 days since your electrician was there. As bad as it sucks he may be real busy see if he calls you on Monday
2007-02-17 03:45:42 · answer #3 · answered by schrauf1981 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Call your State's Board of Electrical Contractors and file a complaint, and let your Electrician now it, this usually scares the crap out of Contractors, they can lose their license or get fined for not completing the work, that and I'd hold his check till they come fix it, If they don't, Hire someone else and DO NOT Pay the first Contractor
2007-02-17 01:18:25 · answer #4 · answered by Ray D 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋