Electricity problem?

Question

Not all of my lights are working and neither is my washing machine. I looked at the fuse box and nothing has tripped. What could be the cause?

Answer 1

If some of your lights and appliances are working and others aren't, and none of the fuses or circuit breakers are "out", then there is a break somewhere in the supply lines between the fuse/breaker box and the dead wall sockets, lights, etc. This is a job for a qualified electrician. It could be dangerous if the break is small enough to cause sparking inside the wall.

Answer 2

Most likely the problem is a GFI or GFCI switch that has tripped. Most times these styled out lets are found by sources of water, i.e. kitchen or bathroom sink. Just reset the switch, they have a test and reset button between 2 outlets. Also double check the breakers. I have found times when people check the breakers and thought everything was turned on. Sometimes the notice flags don't show right. If the switch is looks in the on position but wiggles when you touch it and does not hold firm turn it all the off and then back on. If neither of these solutions work call an electrician because chances are there is a bad junction or connection somewhere.
Good Luck!

Answer 3

Multiple lights out and the washing machine not working with no visible fuses blown suggest at the least a single bad circuit wiring or possibly you have "dropped" one of the 2 buss bar circuits in your 240 volt service. This could occur at the fuse box, meter socket or service entrance wires or taps. Having fuses would suggest the need for a service upgrade which would solve this problem.

Answer 4

Firstly try a known working item (lamps are nice and easy) in the washing machine socket.

it it works in other sockets and not in the washer one, then it's the socket that's broke; Otherwise its the washer. Ensuring that the socket is switched on is also worth checking.

Lights:
Did anyone do any electrical changes in the days before the fault appeared?
Does the 'non-working bulb' work in the lamp that you used to test the sockets?

If it's in the wiring, then call an electrician.
Otherwise the supermarket sells bulbs and you need a washer repairperson.

Answer 5

If you would like to try to repair this on your own I would say to replace your fuses even if they do not look blown. Sometimes when a fuse blows from only a slight over load only the stem in the fuse breaks and can not be seen by eye. If that does not help it is possible if your home has older wiring that a splice could have failed some where and you would need an electrician.

Answer 6

It a potentially dangerous problem which needs attention ASAP. Sounds like some wiring in the wal has come loose or perhaps a mouse or something has caused this. A short in such a situation would cause a fire at any time.

Answer 7

Have you tried the obvious first, and checked the bulbs are not blown and the washing machine is working (try swapping bulbs to known working lights and try the washing machine in a different power socket).


If that doesn't work, it could be caused by a bad / loose connection somewhere in the wiring of your house. I had a similar problem - a quick rewire of 2 sockets has cured the problem.

BEWARE: It is potentially illegal under current building legislation to modify the wiring in your home. If not qualified, I suggest you get a certified electrician in to check it out.

Answer 8

Pauline has it about right. If, as you say, all your CB's are okay then its very unlikely to be a wiring problem, despite what all the "bright sparks" may have you believe.

One other thing. Confirm you have circuit breakers not fuses?

Answer 9

You may not be able to tell if they have tripped. Turn all of them off and back one at a time. If you know which ones cover the affected lights then only do those. You may be surprised.

Answer 10

something like that happened to me the other day,it turned out a dimmer switch had been wired wrong and was stealing the electricity supply from the other lights,the fuse box at mine had no trips either.