Electrical Question

[slopeshunter]

Hi All,

I’ve got this outlet on the outside of the house. Used to work fine, now for some reason it doesn’t work at all. There’s no breakers flipped on the panel.
What could the problem be and what might the solution be.

Thanks

[Twisted Canuck]

It is a GFI, or protected by another GFI plug? Maybe that is tripped?

[slopeshunter]

Thanks TC. That makes sense, it could be connected to a GFI. I’ll check, thanks.

[FortMac]

Is there power on the CCT? Have you tried replacing the receptacle?

[slopeshunter]

Originally Posted by FortMac

Is there power on the CCT? Have you tried replacing the receptacle?

No, I haven’t tried replacing the receptacle yet. Not sure what the CCT is

[dr.crentist]

9 times out of 10 it’s a tripped GFCI, reset it and all good. The exterior receptacles should all be in the same circuit and downstream of the main GFCI, given the house is newer and wired to code. Find the first receptacle in the circuit, usually closest to the main panel, and see what the status is. If one doesn’t work and others do, it could be a different story

[FortMac]

Originally Posted by slopeshunter

No, I haven’t tried replacing the receptacle yet. Not sure what the CCT is

Is there power on the Circuit.

[slopeshunter]

^^^ gotcha. Thanks guys, got some stuff to check out in the daylight.

[ATF]

Son bought a new house and the home inspection said the outside outlet was dead. Son later realized there was a switch installed for the Christmas lights in the closet and it was off. Possibility?

[slopeshunter]

Originally Posted by ATF

Son bought a new house and the home inspection said the outside outlet was dead. Son later realized there was a switch installed for the Christmas lights in the closet and it was off. Possibility?

We do have a switch for lights. I’m going to check!

That was a great suggestion unfortunately not the case with my house. More digging after the work days done. Thanks though. I was real excited that would be it lol

[zabbo]

Originally Posted by slopeshunter

We do have a switch for lights. I’m going to check!

That was a great suggestion unfortunately not the case with my house. More digging after the work days done. Thanks though. I was real excited that would be it lol

Switch in closet will be for the soffit plug along the eaves somewhere. Yes, for xmas lights. Not sure if it has been mentioned, sometimes when a breaker trips people will just go to the panel, and turn it back on. They think it is reset, but not so. You have to turn the breaker off and then reset it. Been a few places where that was the case. Best bet is a tripped GFI.

[urban rednek]

A couple more ideas to check:
1. Convenience receptacle near the electrical panel. If it is a GFCI, it could be protecting the outside plugs.
2. GFCI in main floor 1/2 bath could be protecting the outside plugs.

I've seen both situations cause a lot of frustration. It's only funny after you get it figured out.

[Rig-Rat]

Is there a dead front GFCI next to the electrical panel?? Looks like a plug with no holes... Hit the trip then reset.

[Landshark]

First things first. Check the GFI's in the house as mentioned above. If that's not it, plug something in that is known to work to see if you have power or not. Also check other plugs on the circuit to see if they have power. If not, turn the breaker off then remove the plug (not the wires) as in pull it out so you expose the wires attached to the plug. Now turn the breaker back on. Using a multi meter, check to see if you have power at the wires. If yes, replace said plug. If not, maybe the breaker is faulty. If you electrocute yourself, you never read any of this advice. It's just for entertainment value.

[deerhunter]

Had a house that had aluminum wiring
Same thing no power to outside receptacle
The aluminum wire was burnt off the screw terminal

[slopeshunter]

Originally Posted by urban rednek

A couple more ideas to check:
2. GFCI in main floor 1/2 bath could be protecting the outside plugs.

I've seen both situations cause a lot of frustration. It's only funny after you get it figured out.

Well, I thought I come back and close this one off. It was the GFCI in the main floor bath. But it never entered my mind because that outside plug has to be the furthest thing away from that plug in the bathroom lol. Just as urban rednek said, frustrating and then funny.

Thanks for all the input I do appreciate it.

[Big Grey Wolf]

Found many cheaply manufactured receptacles from our favorite country in the East do not stand up to weather and need to be replaced with quality ones.