Possibilities?

Question

My aunts garage doesnt have power after as plugged in her christmas lights.what are the possible damage and method to repair her garage?I'm thinking it's has something to do with the main PNL or the conductors in its circuit is burned due to over current.Let me know what you all think would be the problem and the solution.

If it has something to do with the CBs,how would i test it?

Answer 1

Most modern garages (an kitchens / bathrooms) must use a GFI (or GFCI) outlet. This means it senses in imbalance in the incoming and return currents and breaks if it finds any very small difference in the two currents (it is assumed that the other current is shocking someone).

A GFI (or GFCI) usually usually is not reset at the main breaker panel. Instead, it is reset at the outlet itself. The problem is that for each string of outlets, there is only one that has the RESET button. If you have multiple outlets in the garage, you have to find the one with the reset. There should be two buttons on the outlet. One will say RESET, and the other will say TEST. Pressing the RESET button will return power to all the breakers on the string.

A picture of a typical GFI outlet is attached in the links area.

Answer 2

If the house has a modern electrical system, it uses circuit breakers rather than fuses.

A circuit breaker is basically an electromagnet in line with the circuit. When the current through the magnet grows too large, the magnetic field grows strong enough to pull a metal switch, which disconnects the circuit.

You should look around the garage (or possibly in the basement of the house) for a circuit breaker box, then reset the appropriate switch.