There is an electrical outlet in my room that if bumped or shaken causes all the appliances on that circuit to stop receiving electricity. The circuit breaker never trips, and resetting it does nothing.
Shaking/bumping the outlet a few more times eventually results in the electricity coming back to all the appliances. However, if too many appliances on that same circuit are turned on, it stops again (the breaker still doesn't pop) and this particular electrical outlet must be bumped/shaken again.
What in the world could be causing this?
2007-03-19 00:13:31 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
edit: Well jeez, now I'm afraid to go to bed...
2007-03-19 00:20:42 · update #1
Sounds like a classic case of someone using the receptacle as a wirenut..Meaning, using the screws of the recep. for continuity in the circuit. This practice was outlawed by the NFPA and National Electrical Code in 1984. Now you can see why. Bad outlet connections disrupt downstream devices...
1. Turn off power to outlet. Remove outlet from wall.
2. Take both black wires and both white wires off recept.
3. Find piece of black and white wire same size as on the outlet (#12 or#14)
4. Strip 1" off each wire. Twist the 2 blacks together along with the short jumper you just cut. Do the same for the white. Wirenut them each, and place the jumper wire under the recept terminal screw and tighten (buy a new receptacle)..This should fix your problem
2007-03-19 08:45:40 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The outlet may have a loose wire. Turn the circuit breaker off and remove the outlet. Check all connections and tighten screws.
or
The outlet may be defective and not making good contact with plugs. Replace the outlet, they cost less than 50 cents at the Home Center. When wiring the new outlet, black wires go to the brass screws, white wires go to the silver screws and the green or bare copper wires go to the green screw. While you are at it, get a couple of outlets. They are cheap and I like to keep a few on hand.
2007-03-19 06:17:50 · answer #2 · answered by Ben D 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
One or more of the internal screws on the side of the outlet are loose. Take off the cover, turn the power off, and tighten the brass screws on both sides of the outlet that are holding the wires down. If they are tight, then look inside the box. there will be a "junction" of two or more wires, held together by a plastic connector, called a"marrette". If you twist the marette to a counterclockwise direction it will come off the wires. Now tighten them with a pair of pliers by twisting the wires together, and put the marrette connector back on. Everything will work fine. You can hire an electrican, but at $150.00 its is a lot of money for a 10 minute job you can do yourself.
2007-03-22 22:22:29 · answer #3 · answered by Boston Bluefish 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There's a loose wire. The reason it's not throwing the breaker, is because it's not coming in contact with any thing. Turn off breaker, or throw the main switch, and open it up, and re tighten the wires. Make sure you have no power going!!! Test it with a small lamp or something before you start, to make sure.
2007-03-19 00:47:26 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
You should disconnect power and then open the outlet to be sure the connections are good. It sounds as if you have a wire loose on the side of your outlet module, which would connect to more outlets down the line.
2007-03-19 01:44:34 · answer #5 · answered by joshnya68 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The mere fact that you are having to use a bit of violence to get the thing working should suggest to you that something is wrong. call in an electrician soon, or you will be calling for the fire service later.
It does sound like a loose connection, however unless you are qualified to do the work, i'd not recommend you do so.
2007-03-19 00:20:59 · answer #6 · answered by Burnt Emberes 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like it needs to be re-wired and the outlet replaced. May be just a loose wire on the connecting screw.
2007-03-19 00:15:59 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
You have a loose wire that is not making contact as it should.
Get an electrician to fix it because if you don't you could have a fire.
2007-03-19 00:19:09 · answer #8 · answered by Aliz 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Replace the three prong outlet./
2007-03-19 00:36:50 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Doesn't sound like it's shorting out.
It sounds like a loose connection.
2007-03-19 00:30:21 · answer #10 · answered by rangedog 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋