Soyfer Electric Inc.: Tips and Tricks for Electricians/Contractors : Handling Broken or Dead Outlets

If one of your outlets suddenly stops working, the natural reaction is to assume the worst and get ready to spend a lot of money. However, most of the time broken or dead outlets can be fixed easily and cheaply.

Diagnose the Problem

Check the easy things first. See if other outlets in the room have power. Make sure the circuit breaker isn’t tripped. Check to see if any GFI switches have been tripped. Once you have eliminated all the easy problems, you can look into more complicated issues.

The next step will involve taking the outlet apart. Before touching the outlet, turn off the main power to that outlet from the circuit breaker. Unscrew the faceplate and pull out the electric box. Look for loose connections or melted or frayed wires. If everything looks good, you will need to test the

circuit.

Testing the Circuit

When you test the circuit you will need to turn the power on to the outlet. It is also vital that you know which of the wires are “hot” wires that carry electricity and will shock you if not handled correctly, and neutral wires. A simple amp meter that you can buy at the hardware store will tell you of the outlet is getting electricity or not.