No power to wires going to outlet

[Revtach]

Hello all,

I had a faulty electrical outlet and went to replace it. Before working on it I turned off the circuit breaker for what I thought was that outlet.

While unscrewing the wires from the outlet, my screwdriver crossed from the live wire to a ground source and there was a huge electric spark

Turns out, I flipped the wrong circuit breaker and the wires to that outlet were live. Normally, I would of tested with a multi-meter to confirm the power was off before working, but I didn't have it with me at this time and just went ahead without confirming. Won't do that again that's for sure.

Anyway, I flipped the correct circuit breaker and finished the replacement. Now the outlet is completely dead. I flipped the circuit breaker on and off a few times but nothing. Took the outlet apart and connected my multi-meter right to the wires and it is showing 0 volts. All the other outlets on that circuit breaker are working, just this one.

Any ideas what it could be?

 

[The Cobbler]

maybe you've arc a connection upstream from the outlet . check other outlets close to that one and look for properly connected wires

 

[Revtach]

maybe you've arc a connection upstream from the outlet . check other outlets close to that one and look for properly connected wires

Thanks.

If that's the case, is there a risk of a fire starting? Or would the circuit breaker trip again before that?

 

[The Cobbler]

any arc has the potential to cause a fire, but since it seems like it has arced and broken the connection, I would say little possibility of a fire now

 

[wiltech]

Hello all,
Any ideas what it could be?

Any chance there's a GFCI outlet upstream of the one you were replacing that's been tripped?

 

[Revtach]

any arc has the potential to cause a fire, but since it seems like it has arced and broken the connection, I would say little possibility of a fire now

I appreciate your help.

 

[Revtach]

Any chance there's a GFCI outlet upstream of the one you were replacing that's been tripped?

Nope, no GFCI's down there. This is in the basement. I checked every single other outlet on that circuit breaker and they all work.

 

[TheLawnRanger]

Is it one of those breakers with three positions that needs to be switched all the way to the left and then back to the right. These are usually for bedrooms but could be used in a basement.

 

[nadogail]

It would seem that you are in for an adventure. Do you by chance have a wiring diagram for the house?

Can you trace the wires coming into the outlet and find where the circuit is open?

 

[Revtach]

Is it one of those breakers with three positions that needs to be switched all the way to the left and then back to the right. These are usually for bedrooms but could be used in a basement.

As far as I can tell the circuit breaker switches only have a left/right position.

 

[Revtach]

It would seem that you are in for an adventure. Do you by chance have a wiring diagram for the house?

Can you trace the wires coming into the outlet and find where the circuit is open?

I have the diagram on my circuit breaker panel. That's how I was able to test each of the other outlets on that circuit.

Some parts of the wiring I can trace. Other parts go behind drywall and I'm not sure if I can access the wiring without cutting out the drywall. I'll take a closer look tomorrow.

But if I can't find the burnt part then I might be stuck with the dead outlet. I was just worried of the risk of a fire in which case I'd call an electrician but if there is no risk of a fire I'll just leave it alone.

 

[Wrench97]

Were the wire clamped with a screw or on of the push in wire types?
I have seen several blow the wires out of them in the past I would look down the string of outlets and pull the last one that works to see if the jumper to the next is still inserted.

 

[Revtach]

Were the wire clamped with a screw or on of the push in wire types?
I have seen several blow the wires out of them in the past I would look down the string of outlets and pull the last one that works to see if the jumper to the next is still inserted.

They were clamped with a screw. I'll check the next upstream outlet to see if I can spot anything that looks suspicious.

 

[PCustoms]

This is literally the only outlet without power?

Every other outlet is good?

The breaker you eventually found only ties to this outlet?

My get is you have a hidden GFCI or possibly even breaker that is still tripped

 

[Revtach]

This is literally the only outlet without power?

Every other outlet is good?

The breaker you eventually found only ties to this outlet?

My get is you have a hidden GFCI or possibly even breaker that is still tripped

Strange, isn't it?

The breaker ties into 7 other outlets besides this one. All of them work.

I'll check again for any GFCI's, tripped breakers that I missed, arced wires, or possibly an inline fuse.

 

[PCustoms]

Check the upstream outlet.

Simple as that.

 

[Revtach]

Alright,

Decided I wasn't going to be able to sleep tonight out of fear of a possible fire. At a minimum I had to at least determine what the problem was.

I started tracing the wire and it turns out there was a separate switch or additional circuit breaker (or whatever you want to call it) upstream. The wiring for the switch is exclusively for this one outlet that didn't have power. Somebody must of specifically installed this outlet and wanted it to have an additional switch for reasons I don't know. I reset it and now the outlet is working.

I'm relieved this has been resolved. You guys are a great bunch for helping out.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

As far as I can tell the circuit breaker switches only have a left/right position.

what brand of breakers do you have?

Alright,

Decided I wasn't going to be able to sleep tonight out of fear of a possible fire. At a minimum I had to at least determine what the problem was.

I started tracing the wire and it turns out there was a separate switch or additional circuit breaker (or whatever you want to call it) upstream. The wiring for the switch is exclusively for this one outlet that didn't have power. Somebody must of specifically installed this outlet and wanted it to have an additional switch for reasons I don't know. I reset it and now the outlet is working.

I'm relieved this has been resolved. You guys are a great bunch for helping out.

Is it a light switch or? IF its a light switch then it may be so one can plug a lamp into the outlet and switch it on with the light switch.

If its not a light switch, can you post a picture of it?

 

[nadogail]

Congratulations on solving your problem.

 

[Revtach]

what brand of breakers do you have?



Is it a light switch or? IF its a light switch then it may be so one can plug a lamp into the outlet and switch it on with the light switch.

If its not a light switch, can you post a picture of it?

I'm not sure the brand.

It essentially functions as a light switch. However, it must be a circuit breaker as well because it tripped when I short-circuited the wires. It was in the "off" position when I found it and that outlet has never not had power to it. This is the first time I've ever flipped that switch.

I've never used this outlet as a spot for a lamp or light before. However, it is not a bad spot for one so that could very well be what it was for.

 

[Chevy-SS]

this is literally the only outlet without power?

Every other outlet is good?

The breaker you eventually found only ties to this outlet?

my guess is you have a hidden gfci or possibly even breaker that is still tripped

this ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Lotsa times the breaker 'looks' like it's reset, but it isn't

 

[wyliesdiesels]

I'm not sure the brand.

It essentially functions as a light switch. However, it must be a circuit breaker as well because it tripped when I short-circuited the wires. It was in the "off" position when I found it and that outlet has never not had power to it. This is the first time I've ever flipped that switch.

I've never used this outlet as a spot for a lamp or light before. However, it is not a bad spot for one so that could very well be what it was for.

Can you post a picture of it?

Light switches are not OCPDs/breakers and wont trip to off when there is a fault.