Electrical Problem Help Please - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Titan · 06-05-2010, 11:08 PM

The lights going downstairs, one downstairs light and the spare bedroom light don't work all of a sudden. I checked all of the breakers, even resetting all of them, to no avail. Also, checked the GFI in the bathroom with no luck.

Anyone have any ideas what may be causing this? Seems weird.

Thanks.

ResAlien · 06-05-2010, 11:14 PM

It's the FBI. Call Chris Sabian.

Methanolic · 06-05-2010, 11:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Titan

The lights going downstairs, one downstairs light and the spare bedroom light don't work all of a sudden. I checked all of the breakers, even resetting all of them, to no avail. Also, checked the GFI in the bathroom with no luck.

Anyone have any ideas what may be causing this? Seems weird.

Thanks.

Check the GFI's in the bathrooms (re-set them) and also if you have any GFI's outside (garage etc.) check those re-sets too.

Titan · 06-06-2010, 12:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Methanolic

Check the GFI's in the bathrooms (re-set them) and also if you have any GFI's outside (garage etc.) check those re-sets too.

Done it. No go.

Rathji · 06-06-2010, 12:53 AM

Have you tried turning on the light switch?

Titan · 06-06-2010, 01:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rathji

Have you tried turning on the light switch?

zamler · 06-06-2010, 01:16 AM

There's a good chance you have a flaky connection somewhere. You need to check all the connections in any and all junction boxes, outlet boxes, and light switch boxes that are related to that circuit. Often times there will be a loose screw, the wires may not be twisted together correctly, a loose marret, corrosion, broken wire etc. If you are unlucky you will have a junction point hidden somewhere in a wall or ceiling.

TURN OFF THE POWER BEFORE YOU START TAKING THINGS APART!

Titan · 06-06-2010, 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zamler

There's a good chance you have a flaky connection somewhere. You need to check all the connections in any and all junction boxes, outlet boxes, and light switch boxes that are related to that circuit. Often times there will be a loose screw, the wires may not be twisted together correctly, a loose marret, corrosion, broken wire etc. If you are unlucky you will have a junction point hidden somewhere in a wall or ceiling.

TURN OFF THE POWER BEFORE YOU START TAKING THINGS APART!

All I read there was hire an electrician and be prepared to spend $500 at least and pray it is not behind the drywall.

Regulator75 · 06-06-2010, 09:55 AM

Maybe all the light bulbs burnt out at once?

Or maybe you have a poltergeist?

Ducay · 06-06-2010, 11:14 AM

Is anything else on that breaker getting power?

If yes, test the fixtures and related switches that arent working

If no, test the breaker, and then work outwards.

Pinner · 06-06-2010, 11:16 AM

nm

Methanolic · 06-06-2010, 12:08 PM

This may be a shot in the dark, I don't know....But!

My house was built in the 60's and a few years back I lost power to my basement lights. So what I did was remove a breaker that I knew was functioning properly and put it in the cicuit that wasn't working, re-set it and my basement lights worked fine. Thus proving that the breaker was the problem.... I just needed to go buy a new breaker switch.

I hope your issue turns out to be something as simple as mine was.

I can't stand working with electrical issues, even on vehicles!

Antithesis · 06-06-2010, 12:23 PM

Agreed with Ducay, you need to work from the top down on this problem.

Anything else on the circuit working? Then it's not the breaker ... continue down, eliminating possible problems as you go.

Titan · 06-06-2010, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ducay

Is anything else on that breaker getting power?

If yes, test the fixtures and related switches that arent working

If no, test the breaker, and then work outwards.

It seems like it is just lights on the circuit. there are 6 separate lights and three outlets that seem to have gone out. How many are usually on a breaker? I will check the plug-ins in the area as well. The house is about 10 years old.

Thanks.

Antithesis · 06-06-2010, 12:41 PM

That's probably about it. If I remember right, the maximum number of devices is 12 or 13. Sounds like it may be a problem with the breaker.

CrusaderPi · 06-06-2010, 12:49 PM

Pffft. Turning off power is for pussies. I've changed light fixtures while the light is on. My eye barely twitches anymore.

Huntingwhale · 06-06-2010, 12:50 PM

Take a fork and stick it in a socket. If you receive a warm tickling sensation, you know that it is working.

Titan · 06-06-2010, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Huntingwhale

Take a fork and stick it in a socket. If you receive a warm tickling sensation, you know that it is working.

So I followed your advice. I would not have described it as warm and tickling but I will be able to save money on that perm I don't have to get now. And gloves.

ken0042 · 06-06-2010, 01:27 PM

Since getting a non-contact circuit tester I have found troubleshooting electircal problems are so much easier.

Titan · 07-22-2010, 11:30 PM

Okay an update. I pulled the outlets and found two that were melting. The white wire connection side was completely melted. See below. On the other outlet it had just started melting. Neither were under any load. The white wire seemed to be touching the other white wire. Would that do it? Since they are the same it shouldn't matter or does it?

Now I am a little freaked about the safety of my house.

Is it time to call in the electricians? Should I upgrade all the outlets in my house? Would insurance cover the cost of the electrician as this is clearly a fire hazard?

As always thanks in advance for the info.