A dead wall outlet is more than frustrating. It can be a sign that there’s something seriously wrong with the wiring in your walls. This can lead to burnouts, blown circuits, and even electrical fires. When you have a dead wall socket, it’s important to avoid potential dangers and diagnose the problem immediately. Learn what causes dead outlets, easy ways to troubleshoot them, as well as where you can go for help.
Causes of a Dead Outlet
A dead wall outlet can be a potential sign of danger, but don’t jump to conclusions. Many things can cause dead outlets. The most common reason can simply be the cause of a bad connection from loose terminal screws or stab-in connections. These are pretty easy fixes.
Blown breakers can be another cause of dead outlets. If there’s no power running to the outlet, naturally, it won’t work. Another reason is that the outlet itself is bad, in which case it should be replaced. Finally, bad wiring inside your walls can cause a dead outlet, and this is where you run into real danger.
Easy Ways To Troubleshoot
The first step in troubleshooting your outlet is to plug different things into it. From here, we can find out whether it’s the plug or appliance that is bad. If that doesn’t work, identify whether it’s a GFCI outlet with three-pronged shutters and a reset button. Try pressing this reset button. A simple reset could fix the issue if somehow it was tripped.
Next, test nearby outlets to be sure it’s only one outlet that’s down. Head for your breaker panel and check to see if any breakers are tripped. Flip them back on if so. If your GFCI or your breaker works, you may have overloaded the electrical circuit. If this isn’t the issue, you might have a short circuit between the breaker and the outlet. This is where you could end up with a fire risk.
Turn off the breaker and pull the cover off the outlet. Check to see if any of the connecting wires are loose. If so, it’s possible to tighten them safely. Black wires attach to gold screws, and red cables attach to silver screws. Copper or green wires connect to the bottom.
If these don’t work, you can try pulling out the outlet entirely and replacing it with a new one.
Be Safe at All Times!
Remember, when troubleshooting dead outlets, you are dealing with high-voltage electricity. Ensure that the breaker’s electricity is shut off entirely to the outlet you are replacing or repairing before you start turning screws. You could die from a jolt if you don’t prioritize safety.
That’s why a lot of people leave these repairs to the pros. While changing a dead outlet is relatively simple, it can also be dangerous without the proper precautions. Contact Sin City Electrical today and let the professionals handle the rest!