twice now the electricity in two rooms (and one socket in the hallway between them) has been cut for no reason i can determine

it seems like it cuts out AFTER it rains (not during), though this may be completely unrelated since it doesn't ALWAYS cut out after a rain (or a storm, for that matter)...there's no corresponding power flicker or anything like that, ither

i've done the obvious thing of checking the fuse box and it hasn't been tripped (and resetting it doesn't do anything)...the lights and sockets inside the rooms just don't work for a time, and then they'll eventually just up and start working again

since it SEEMS to be happening when it rains, i'm afraid it's something like a leak somewhere that's causing a short, but as i said, the fuse isn't tripped and it doesn't always happen after rain

suggestions? is it possible the fuse is bad or something?

8/22/2010 2:34:47 PM

It could be a loose connection in a switch or receptacle, at which point things could become hot if the circuit consumes too much current. Are the affected outlets/receptacles on the same circuit (i.e., all powered by the same circuit breaker?)

Is it only outlets or does it affect lights?

I'm guessing these receptacles aren't hooked up to a GFCI, but it wouldn't hurt to go around the house and Test/Reset them. You're supposed to do this monthly, anyways

8/22/2010 2:48:12 PM

^ yes, i BELIEVE they're all on the same circuit, but the box isn't clearly labeled for me to understand which rooms the fuse refers to, and there are 3 all right next to each other

sockets and lights both

no, not GFCI

8/22/2010 2:58:37 PM

i think it's just a coincidence that it happens after a rain. if there was a leak or a bad breaker the breaker would trip.
my first suggestion would be to turn off the main breaker at the breaker panel, pull the panel cover, and tighten the screws on each breaker and on the neutral bar. i know it's only happening on one circuit but you might as well tighten all of them while the cover is off. you want the screws as tight as you can get them, not just snug. you might be able to see burn marks at the breaker for that individual circuit or on the neutral bar. try this and let it go a few days or at least until the next rain and let us know.

Quote :

"It could be a loose connection in a switch or receptacle, at which point things could become hot if the circuit consumes too much current. Are the affected outlets/receptacles on the same circuit (i.e., all powered by the same circuit breaker?) "

if this were the problem it would be the very first thing either a socket or switch on the circuit since nothing works. if it were a random outlet or switch on the circuit the stuff before the problem would work until the breaker trips or the house burns down.

[Edited on August 22, 2010 at 4:01 PM. Reason : -]

8/22/2010 3:59:01 PM

^ awesome, thanks for the suggestion...i've got the dishwasher running at the moment, but i'll do that tonight and we'll see what happens

thanks!

Quote :

"house burns down"

NOT what i want to hear



[Edited on August 22, 2010 at 4:05 PM. Reason : .]

8/22/2010 4:03:46 PM

what's the deal now?

8/28/2010 5:41:02 PM