Outlets in general can be designed to last a very long time, and even though an outlet can die out, it is not as common as you may think. Sometimes an outlet will not work for a number of reasons and some have very simple solutions while other times your outlet will need to be replaced. So how do you know when an outlet is dead or something else has gone wrong? Burley Electrical Services will share how to troubleshoot an outlet and determine whether or not you need to have your outlet replaced.
How Do You Troubleshoot an Electrical Outlet
If you feel like testing your outlet yourself, you will need some tools and safety gear. However, if you are not familiar with your electrical system, it is highly recommended that you simply contact an electrician to check your outlet. If you want to move forward, you will need a voltage tester, screwdrivers, needle-nose pliers, and safety glasses.
Test All Outlet & Switches
When an outlet appears not to be working, be aware that there are other outlets and light switches that will be connected to the same circuit. Before assuming you have one broken outlet, check the light switches and other outlet on the same circuit first. Plug in a working lamp or other device into all of the outlets in the room or on the circuit. If the other outlets work fine, then the problem is localized to one outlet. If all of the outlets or the light switch are not working either, you most likely have a tripped breaker or there are another problems with the entire circuit instead of a single outlet. First, try resetting the breaker if all of the outlets are not working. If that fails, definitely contact an electrician.
Reset the GFCI
Depending on the position of the outlet, a GFCI outlet may be cutting off the flow of power to the rest of the outlets. Try resetting the GFCI outlet, or the connection to the GFCI outlet as they act as a gate to the rest of the outlets behind them, cutting off power to the rest of the outlets down the circuit.
Testing the Outlet
You will want to test to see if the outlet is receiving any power. Using the voltage tester, turn on the tester and place the red probe on the hot side of the outlet or the right side, and then place the neutral probe in the left side of the outlet. See if you get a constant flow of power. If the meter shows you have no power, either the outlet is dead or there is a bad connection.
Checking for a Bad Connection
The final step is to check for a bad connection. A bad connection could be that you have wires that have separated from the outlet, or the connection is loose, or the wiring is damaged. You will want to turn off the power to that particular circuit. Next, take off the face plate and then unscrew the outlet from the housing box. Check the state of the wires leading into the outlet. Are they loose, separated, or damaged? If you have the understanding concerning outlets and how to connect the wiring correctly, reconnect the wiring to the outlet. If wiring has been damaged, it is time to have some rewiring work done.
Electrical Wiring Inspections & More in Pompano Beach, Imperial Point, Plantation, Deerfield Beach, Boca Raton, Davie, Lighthouse Point, Parkland & Fort Lauderdale, Florida
If you need help troubleshooting a dead outlet, replacing an outlet or have other electrical needs, contact Burley Electrical Services today.
