Should we replace all outlet boxes to check for a short in the wire, or is it a breaker issue, and how much would an electrician cost?
Hey everyone! Good news – problem solved! We replaced one outlet and it fixed the breaker issue, as well as the other outlets and the light/fan. Only cost us $5 thanks to the advice from this group! 😊
Hey guys, does anyone here know anything about electrical stuff? We were changing our outlet covers and noticed that when we plugged something in, the power would shut off across the whole wall in my kids’ room, down one side, and over to the other side. Usually, it would just go off and then come back on when we unplugged and plugged back in because the boxes are loose. But this time, the breaker actually tripped and when we tried to reset it, it gave us a little blue-white shock! 😂 So now, the power in the kids’ room isn’t working in any of the outlets, and neither is the library that it’s connected to. The ceiling fan and light aren’t working either, nor is the lamp on the opposite wall.
Do you think we should replace all the outlet boxes to check for a short in the wire in their room that’s preventing the breaker from flipping? Or could it be a breaker issue? And any idea how much it might cost to
If you’re not confident, it’s best to contact an electrician. It sounds like there may be a short in the specific outlet you mentioned. The frequent tripping likely caused the wires to overheat and trip the breaker eventually.
Make sure to inspect all connections on each outlet in the line. A loose connection could lead to short circuits or a malfunctioning outlet.
It seems like there is a short circuit. A wire may have been loose in that problematic outlet and finally disconnected or burned out. You may have also detected a strange odor coming from that outlet.
A connection appears to be loose somewhere
The previous glitchy connection problem may have escalated into a constant issue now. There are many possibilities to consider, it seems like you initially had a faulty receptacle outlet. Electricity tends to seek paths outside of its intended route, so troubleshooting can be tricky. If you lack experience and aren’t very confident in your ability to fix it, it’s best not to dismantle everything and make the situation more complicated. A licensed electrician will likely charge you three times as much if the wiring has already been tampered with.
If only one box is loose, a photo for a possible quick fix could be requested. However, if multiple boxes are loose, it indicates a larger issue that requires an experienced perspective. It’s likely that the outlet boxes are metal and there is a ground fault present. This at least suggests the presence of some level of grounding.
It’s important to know how to use a volt meter and an outlet tester effectively. If you’re unsure, it’s best to call an electrician. Start by turning off the breaker, using the outlet tester to identify non-functional outlets, and listing any lights or ceiling fans that aren’t working. Begin by inspecting the loose outlet, using a volt meter to check if the wires are dead, and investigating for any issues like burnt wires or loose connections. Repair and reassemble if it’s uncomplicated, or replace the outlet. If you’ve identified the problem and believe the circuit is fine, reset the breaker and test everything on your list. If no issue is found, you’ll need to disassemble, inspect, and tighten each item on your list until the problem is located. The cost of an electrician varies by location but anticipate a minimum service call fee of $150, along with $100 per hour worked and additional expenses for parts.
Thank you, John! I can handle replacing the outlet and checking the breakers, but my husband will be taking care of it this time. I just wanted to double-check if the issue could be with the outlets or if we should call someone for the breaker. We want to make sure everything is up to code and done safely to avoid any mishaps! 😄
We encountered this issue when we changed all our outlets, and one day my son accidentally knocked over our heater in our room. As a result, the outlet moved enough for a wire to touch the box, causing a short circuit. We just pulled it out, ensured everything was secure, and organized the wires in a way to prevent future occurrences.
Is it possible that you accidentally tripped a GFCI outlet somewhere in your setup?
If you turn off the breaker, remove all the outlets and inspect them. Check to see if the outlets are pigtailed or if the hot and neutral wires are connected directly. If you can figure out which outlet is the first in line, you can disconnect the other wires that supply power to the other outlets. Turn the breaker back on and check if it trips. If not, then the “short” is probably located elsewhere. Turn off the breaker again and repeat the process, or use a meter to locate the short. Examine each outlet for any signs of a short or strange odor. Also, consider whether the boxes are metal or plastic, as a hot wire may have come loose and is making contact with the box.
You might have a loose wire somewhere in one of the outlets you were working with. It’s important to fix the loose wire before it causes overheating. It’s actually pretty simple. I hope that explanation helps.
Not entirely sure about what you did or are describing, but it seems like the wire on the receptacle is loose and needs tightening. Look out for burned marks as a sign. Make sure to check for AL wire specifically, as it is known for causing problems like this. Avoid using those receptacles until you have fixed the issue to prevent a potential fire hazard.
Oh thank you! I was actually mentioning that we might need to replace these sections!
Hey, , that outlet was already in the bathroom when I bought the house. That’s AL wire. Having that could be an issue.
Oh, look at that aluminum wire installation. You really need to handle those with care…they can cause fires if disturbed. But electricians have a way to handle them.
Yes. There are two ways to do it: replace or pigtail. It’s easy, just add a piece of copper to each strand in the box and use wire nuts with dielectric grease inside. It’s simple, anyone can do it.
First things first, you should familiarize yourself with the terminology so we can understand each other.
There’s no such thing as “flipped”. I assume you meant “tripped” or “opened”.
The outlet you insert things into is called a receptacle.
The “box” refers to the enclosure that houses the receptacles and switches.
I’m not trying to talk down to you. I’m here to help, but we need to be on the same page to tackle this.
My husband is changing all the outlets in the room where the breaker tripped because it’s actually for the library where the tanning bed is. I only use it when I tan and unplug right away.
Reset the tripped breaker and began checking all the receptacles that were now turned off. I’d begin with the tanning bed since it seems to have a high current load.
We’ll definitely check that next. It’s strange that the one that tripped the breaker has been loose this whole time, especially since it’s not on that breaker.
Start by figuring out which circuit is causing the problem and turn off the corresponding breaker. Open the boxes that seem to be causing issues by removing the covers. Take out the receptacles and inspect them for any shorts. If you find one, that’s good news. Turn the power back on to test. If not, switch off the power and continue investigating. It’s possible that there are multiple issues at play. Additionally, check for any defective or damaged receptacles. If they are quite old, it’s best to replace them all since they are not expensive. Share your progress updates.
If the original electrician decided to use the outlet screws to extend power to the next outlet instead of using pigtails, a worn or broken outlet can prevent power from reaching the other outlets on the same circuit. You should start by replacing the problematic outlet and then consider changing all of them. If the outlets were connected using the “back stabbed” method with spring-loaded holes at the back, it’s recommended to replace all switches and outlets. This method is considered a shortcut and is prohibited in many states, although some states still allow it based on the national code.
Let me just say that after we removed the door frames, we found something unexpected. Instead of insulation or spray foam, there were just paper towels. It seems like nobody cared whether things were up to code or not ðŸ˜ðŸ¤£
No content
Eating delicious food is one of my favorite hobbies.
No content
Hey Kristin, just a heads up – that black wire should be cut shorter so there’s no extra hanging out. And it’s important to have it in the groove for better contact and to make sure the screw can be tightened properly. These are small details that may not be your responsibility, but if you come across them, make sure to fix it up.
Can you trim this down a bit for me?
Slide it smoothly into the groove.
Give the tip a little squeeze at the tip to connect the ends.
Some people believe that wrapping electrical tape around the outlet is a good safety measure. This helps protect against accidental shocks by covering the screws. Make sure it is secure, but don’t go overboard. However, keep in mind that adding tape can increase the fire risk in the junction box.
All the tech responses are spot on…and I totally agree about the tape wrapping, it can only help.
It seems like a DIY job by the homeowner considering the mix of wiring methods used in that outlet…some push-ins, some quick side terminal connections. It would only take 10 minutes to tidy it up, do it correctly, and wrap it properly.
We took care of it and now it’s working perfectly! The circuit breaker didn’t trip after we replaced that one outlet 🙂
Might be the solution. They are just terrible.
I am passionate about traveling and exploring new places.
I love reading books in my free time.
There appears to be a short circuit in the system. I recommend getting in touch with an electrician to take a look. While changing outlets can be manageable, troubleshooting electrical problems is a different story. Though it may sound like a loose connection causing a short to ground, the root cause could be varied.
Just checked out the photos. Avoid using the back stabs as they can fail and even start a fire. The way the outlet was installed is wrong – they should have used pig tails instead of connecting everything directly to the outlet. However, if you’re not experienced with electrical work, it’s better to hire a professional electrician.
Yes. So, we’re planning on replacing all the outlets in the kids’ room no matter what. If that doesn’t solve the issue, we’ll need to call for help. The problem started in their room, but I’ve always had my tanning bed on one side of the room. I moved it to the wall next to theirs, tanned once, and suddenly everything shut off.
I’m thinking the tanning bed drew too much power for the outlet. Back stabs only make a small point of contact with the wire, and when there’s a high draw, it’s too much for that small point of contact and it fails. If they wired this outlet like that, I bet the other outlets are the same. An upstream backed stabbed outlet can cause issues with a downstream outlet.
Your outlets and boxes look newer, so I’m guessing your home is recently built? My mom had a house built and the electricians used back stabs for the outlets and switches. There were so many electrical problems with them that I ended up redoing the connections for half of them after they moved in.
For the tanning bed, check out the power requirements for it. The National Electrical Code (NEC) recommends tanning beds have a dedicated circuit.
I have a 110V tanning bed. I will check that out! It was made in 2000! Not too old, but I’m not sure when it was last worked on since we’ve only had it for 3.5 years.
The switches in question are the 3 in the library and the ceiling fan/light combo, and then in that particular bedroom, there are 3 out of the 5 switches being mentioned.
It seems like they all need to be replaced for safety reasons haha
Definitely, ! YEP!!!!