One power outlet in my bathroom quit working about a month ago. Today I came home from work and my fridge was off, because that outlet has stopped working. The other outlets in the kitchen still work. The other outlets in the bathroom work too. I checked the wiring inside the outlet, everything is secure. I also removed the breaker cover and nothing is tripped or loose. What is the problem? None of the breakers have tripped in months, and I can't find anything else in the house that isn't working. Could an animal in the attic chew through that gauge wire? or is it the breaker? help!
2007-07-13 19:58:04 · 5 answers · asked by blunt smoka 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
P.S. they pressure washed the siding on my house today as well as the back patio.. seems unrelated, but...
2007-07-13 19:59:21 · update #1
My outlets are grounded, but they aren't the type with reset buttons. The garbage disposal switch in the same outlet box as the fridge outlet still works too. And the dishwasher still works, etc.
2007-07-13 20:09:14 · update #2
You will need a multimeter or circuit tester to troubleshoot this problem, if you do not know how to use these tools then you will need to hire an electrician. Try plugging in your toaster in the outlet you have your fridge connected in, if it does not work then you know that there is a problem in that line and the above information would need to be followed to trace the problem.
2007-07-13 20:08:20 · answer #1 · answered by sirmrmagic 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First the code requires that the fridge is on a seperate circuit nothing else should be on the same line .I would check the breaker but it requires removing the panel cover and checking the hot line to the fridge with the power on. This should be done only by an electrician. I think your bathroom problem is tied to one of your outside outlets a lot of homes are wired that way because code requires ground fault circuits on baths and outside outlets and they tie the two sometimes to one circuit. Call a professional is my advice.
2007-07-17 16:09:43 · answer #2 · answered by petethen2 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you will have to check all the other outlets with a voltage tester as well check the breakers again some breakers look on but they are tripped but take a tester and check each breaker if all is ok there than its in that branch ckt you will just have to trace it out other cause's could be a j- box in the attic that has a bad joint if you can get up in that area of the attic and see if that one outlet comes tho the top plate of the wall than you can trace where the wire goes its going to be a trace job and yes it is possible for a critter to chew into wires I would check all area's if you don't know what you are doing than I would call a pro
2007-07-13 20:14:26 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If your house is wired to code the refri is on a dedicated circuit. That may be why only one outlet is dead. You can use a lamp to test the outlet. If there is no power there test or have someone test the breaker. If the breaker checks good then there is a problem with the wireing. Luck
2007-07-14 02:52:26 · answer #4 · answered by Hondu 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Look for an outlet that has a ground fault protecter it should have a reset button
It looks like a wierd out but has three prongs
probably in your back patio, or close to your washer or restroom
you don't need a voltmeter just a lamp that works
keep looking there has to be a (gfci) ground fault circuit interupter
2007-07-13 20:06:36 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋