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Dead Electrical Circuit Troubleshooting pcgeek86 04-06-2008
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Posted by on April 7, 2008, 9:49 pm
> pcgee...@gmail.com wrote:
>
> ...
>
> > Alright, so I swapped two breaker lines with each other, and the
> > problem still prevails. I think that it must be a wiring issue
> > somewhere, but I still can't find the first item in the grouping. I
> > know that the line going out from the breaker is hot.
>
> That's logical conclusion.
>
> Did you do the exhaustive test of anything that is switched off by
> turning off that breaker? There are only two possibilities -- nothing
> on the circuit is live or one or more items are. If the former, you
> have basically identified the disconnect is before or at the first; if
> the latter, then you have at least a candidate for the starting point.
>
> Looking at the location of the feed and the location of the dead
> outlets, it should be relatively straightforward to figure out what is
> the least linear feet of wire direction in which the run could have been
> made. That would be the most probable way it was done (assuming this is
> original wiring--if it's an added circuit, it would be more likely to be
> the easiest access way, not necessarily the shortest.)
>

Right, so ... earlier in another post, I mentioned that I traced the
wire from the breaker panel, through its conduit, and as best I can
tell, it's going up, and out to the back, outdoor receptacle. I
checked that outlet with my tester, and the wire is dead. I have
checked all other outlets, and switches, on that side/area of the
house, and have come up with nothing hot, except what's on the other,
good, 1st floor breaker.

Thanks,

Trevor

Posted by on April 9, 2008, 2:16 pm
On Apr 7, 8:49 pm, pcgee...@gmail.com wrote:
>
>
>
> > pcgee...@gmail.com wrote:
>
> > ...
>
> > > Alright, so I swapped two breaker lines with each other, and the
> > > problem still prevails. I think that it must be a wiring issue
> > > somewhere, but I still can't find the first item in the grouping. I
> > > know that the line going out from the breaker is hot.
>
> > That's logical conclusion.
>
> > Did you do the exhaustive test of anything that is switched off by
> > turning off that breaker? There are only two possibilities -- nothing
> > on the circuit is live or one or more items are. If the former, you
> > have basically identified the disconnect is before or at the first; if
> > the latter, then you have at least a candidate for the starting point.
>
> > Looking at the location of the feed and the location of the dead
> > outlets, it should be relatively straightforward to figure out what is
> > the least linear feet of wire direction in which the run could have been
> > made. That would be the most probable way it was done (assuming this is
> > original wiring--if it's an added circuit, it would be more likely to be
> > the easiest access way, not necessarily the shortest.)
>
> Right, so ... earlier in another post, I mentioned that I traced the
> wire from the breaker panel, through its conduit, and as best I can
> tell, it's going up, and out to the back, outdoor receptacle. I
> checked that outlet with my tester, and the wire is dead. I have
> checked all other outlets, and switches, on that side/area of the
> house, and have come up with nothing hot, except what's on the other,
> good, 1st floor breaker.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Trevor

Gents,

I just discovered, with the help of a guy fixing my fire alarm this
morning, that there was indeed a broken, disconnected wire. After
restoring this wire, everything is working again.

Thanks again for all the input! You guys have been most helpful.

Trevor

Posted by Terry on April 9, 2008, 3:14 pm
On Apr 9, 1:16=A0pm, pcgee...@gmail.com wrote:
> On Apr 7, 8:49 pm, pcgee...@gmail.com wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
>
> > > pcgee...@gmail.com wrote:
>
> > > ...
>
> > > > Alright, so I swapped two breaker lines with each other, and the
> > > > problem still prevails. I think that it must be a wiring issue
> > > > somewhere, but I still can't find the first item in the grouping. I
> > > > know that the line going out from the breaker is hot.
>
> > > That's logical conclusion.
>
> > > Did you do the exhaustive test of anything that is switched off by
> > > turning off that breaker? =A0There are only two possibilities -- nothi=
ng
> > > on the circuit is live or one or more items are. =A0If the former, you=

> > > have basically identified the disconnect is before or at the first; if=

> > > the latter, then you have at least a candidate for the starting point.=

>
> > > Looking at the location of the feed and the location of the dead
> > > outlets, it should be relatively straightforward to figure out what is=

> > > the least linear feet of wire direction in which the run could have be=
en
> > > made. =A0That would be the most probable way it was done (assuming thi=
s is
> > > original wiring--if it's an added circuit, it would be more likely to =
be
> > > the easiest access way, not necessarily the shortest.)
>
> > Right, so ... earlier in another post, I mentioned that I traced the
> > wire from the breaker panel, through its conduit, and as best I can
> > tell, it's going up, and out to the back, outdoor receptacle. I
> > checked that outlet with my tester, and the wire is dead. I have
> > checked all other outlets, and switches, on that side/area of the
> > house, and have come up with nothing hot, except what's on the other,
> > good, 1st floor breaker.
>
> > Thanks,
>
> > Trevor
>
> Gents,
>
> I just discovered, with the help of a guy fixing my fire alarm this
> morning, that there was indeed a broken, disconnected wire. After
> restoring this wire, everything is working again.
>
> Thanks again for all the input! You guys have been most helpful.
>
> Trevor

Sounds too convient that the fire alarm guy found the "broken" wire.

Was the fire alarm on that breaker?


Posted by David Nebenzahl on April 10, 2008, 1:30 pm
On 4/9/2008 12:14 PM Terry spake thus:

> On Apr 9, 1:16 pm, pcgee...@gmail.com wrote:
>
>> I just discovered, with the help of a guy fixing my fire alarm this
>> morning, that there was indeed a broken, disconnected wire. After
>> restoring this wire, everything is working again.
>>
>> Thanks again for all the input! You guys have been most helpful.
>
> Sounds too convient that the fire alarm guy found the "broken" wire.
>
> Was the fire alarm on that breaker?

Sometimes--just sometimes--one can assume good faith. Why not give the
guy the benefit of the doubt here?


--
The best argument against democracy is a five-minute
conversation with the average voter.

- Attributed to Winston Churchill

Posted by Joe on April 7, 2008, 1:54 pm
On Apr 6, 7:26=A0pm, pcgee...@gmail.com wrote:
> Hello guys,
>
> I've got a dead circuit in my house. I tested the output of the
> breaker, and it's fine. I have also done some research, which
> indicates that a tripped GFI outlet could cause the problem, however,
> I removed the GFI that's on the dead circuit, and there is no power
> going to the GFI even. None of the lines, on that circuit, that I've
> located in my house are hot.
>
> Does anyone have some additional troubleshooting ideas?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Trevor

FWIW, here are some of the things I would do: 1) Turn main breaker
off. Exchange output of bad circuit with another breaker. Turn main
breaker on. If the fault travels the breaker is bad. Replace. 2) Turn
Main breaker off. Check and tighten all ground and neutral
connections. Turn main breaker on and check system functions. If
everything works you found the problem.
Beyond this things get more difficult. From what you have described
your system may no longer be code compliant , if it ever was. You may
find there are multiple wires under a single screw, or neutrals and
grounds on the same bus bar, This and other poor wiring practices will
need some journeyman help to set right. Good luck.

Joe

Page 7 of 7       << first < 1 2 3
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