3 off my outlets keep going out. I live in an old house with fuse box, please help..no heat,need those oulets

Question

I dont have a circuit I have fuses and none are blown.

thank you john p that is what i needed to know.

my fuses are NOT blown

all my heaters are in seperate outlets

Answer 1

If you are trying to plug multiple electric heaters into the same circuit you will trip the breakers. Find different outlets for each heater.

Answer 2

She stated that she had no blown fuses. But I have seen fuses go bad, even though they do not look blown. First thing to try without test equipment is to replace each fuse in turn with a new fuse of the correct size and see if the outlets start working again.

What to do if that doesn't work:
Even though the outlets are separate, they are probably on the same branch circuit and the wiring at the first outlet in the chain probably went bad. Unless you are handy with electrical stuff, I'd advise calling a licensed electrician.

If you have experience replacing outlets and switches, I'd turn off the main switch to the house (do the job during the day) and dismantle and inspect the dead outlets, chances are you'll find overheated connections. Replace the outlet with the same type. Be sure to remember to put the white wire on the silver colored screw and the non-white wire under the brass screw. Attach the bare or green wire if there are any to the green screw on the new outlet. Keep the wiring the way it was originally. Do not loop through one outlet to the next. (the only exception is GFCI outlets that are feeding downstream outlets, and this must be done correctly). It should be wired such that if the outlet is removed, the only white wire that is disconnected is the one that went to the outlet. I've seen licensed electricians do this wrong. If you don't understand these instructions, don't mess with it, call the electrician.

Answer 3

WARNING! Do NOT try to fix the problem with a larger fuse. If you do, you're inviting a fire!

Most outlet circuits are wired and fused for a maximum of 20 amps. You need to plug your heaters into seperate circuits or just use 1. Even using just one can blow the fuse/trip the breaker if there are other loads on the circuit.

There's also the possibility that there's a dangerous condition with one or more of the heaters.

There's a few ways to cure the problem, but replacing the fuse with a larger amp fuse ISN'T one of the options!

Answer 4

If you have 3 outlets that go to the same fuse - with a heavy load, you will continue to blow fuses. Do you have a heater on each one? If so, that's probably why the fuses keep blowing, too high of a load - especially if you have any kitchen appliances going to the same fuse.

edit
Ok, then if 3 of your outlets don't have power and don't blow the fuse - get an electrician in quick to chase down your short. You don't want an electrical fire for Christmas.

Answer 5

Fuses come in different amp sizes depending on how much load is being placed on the line. If an electric range is involved it may need its own circuit.If your outlets keep blowing fuses then the loads are too high for the fuse you are using.Check with your hardware man who will advise you what size fuse you need. Determine which appliances, furnace, lights, radio ,TV are on which line.Then you can ask an intelligent question plus gain knowledge of your problem.

Answer 6

those three outlets are probably hooked in sequence, and one of them is probably shorted out, or worn out from being pushed to the limit over time, I'd replace all three,a regular outlet cost about $3.00

Answer 7

That happened to me and it turned out there was a short in a bathroom light fixture that wasnt even being used .