Some parts of the circuit function (outlets, lights etc( but then a whole other side of the same circuit doesn't function. There are no GFCI's on the circuit and all the ones in the house work properly. I am wondering if a regular light switch or outlet can suddenly stop working. But since the circuit is a parallel circuit why would this matter? I am a contractor and I have seen this problem twice now in the last month. Really weird. Any thoughts?
2007-09-28 16:37:17 · 7 answers · asked by Tyler P 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Switches do go bad, yes. Or a loose wire on a device or in a splice. Some guys can't wire nut worth a darned.
2007-09-28 17:19:35 · answer #1 · answered by John himself 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
easy....broken or loose wire. I do commercial/industrial now, but the way I used to wire houses was, I would make the "homerun" (the wiring back to the panel) start at the light switch (which was usually a 2-gang box) and go in the easiest direction to wire the circuit from there, usually down from the switch to the receptacle that is required within 6' from the doorway. If you pulled the receptacle from the wall that isn't working and didn't find anything wrong, try looking at the recept to the left and right. Most likely, it is the recept ahead of the circuit that is causing the problem with the rest of the circuit. And yes, it is wired in parallel, but you can stab 14 awg wire into the back of the receptacle and someone could have used the wrong size hole on their strippers to strip the wire and cut into the copper and it COULD have broken off or the wire could not have been pushed all the way into the receptacle and come loose or it could have been spliced and come loose.....there are so many possiblities....
2007-09-28 17:15:24 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
First thing would be to call the electrical sub back.
A faulty outlet can cause problem.
Poor wirenut connections are a common problem as well as connections to receptacles.
A cheap voltmeter will tell the tale.
Had similar problem & got expert help.
An electrician buddy found it for me
Lost a neutral connection due to bad "nutting" & on top of it a bad receptacle.
He gave me a lecture, then had me pull out all the receptacles, tie the leads together ( twisted & w/ proper sized nuts ) & pigtail all the receptacles.
Problem went away.
Old house & understandable, no excuse in new construction,
though things do happen when there are different trades on top of each other.
Best regards
2007-09-30 14:03:22 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Look for a gang box with several neutrals tied togeather. It is common to just bundle up neutrals, especially if there is no ground. You will get outlets that work some times and not others.
2007-09-29 00:34:23 · answer #4 · answered by Kevin D 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
One side of the 220V line may be open.
Look for a blown main fuse, between the meter & box.
Or check for a loose connection to one common side.
Test at the box with a neon tester or voltmeter.
2007-09-28 16:44:43 · answer #5 · answered by Robert S 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Loose wire
2007-09-28 16:42:04 · answer #6 · answered by housemouse62451 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
HAVE YOU PULLED THE METER AND CHECKED THE POWER COMING IN , THAT IS THE FIRST PLACE TO LOOK FOR A MAJOR POWER OUTAGE.
2007-10-01 03:47:46 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋