Knob and Tube confusion
#1
09-22-03, 11:20 AM
Knob and Tube confusion
I have an 90 year old house we just bought last year. We replaced some wiring bu tnot all and the house still has some knob and tube. Last month all of a sudden 4 of our outlets and our outdoor light stopped working. The breaker didn't trip and many other things on the same cirut are still working! I inspected all the problem outlets for any obvious disconnections etc. and found nothing.
Before I call an electrician I wanted to see if there was something very simple wrong that I could fix myself or at least have an understanding of the potential issue.
Any ideas? any help is greatly appreciated!
thanks
Before I call an electrician I wanted to see if there was something very simple wrong that I could fix myself or at least have an understanding of the potential issue.
Any ideas? any help is greatly appreciated!
thanks
#2
09-22-03, 11:25 AM
Member
The most likely "very simple" thing would be a tripped GFCI. Do you know how to look for such a thing?
The next most likely cause would be a failed connection. Whether or not that can be addressed by you depends on your skill and interest level.
The next most likely cause would be a failed connection. Whether or not that can be addressed by you depends on your skill and interest level.
#3
09-22-03, 11:58 AM
Is it as simple as pressing the Reset button on the GCFI outlet?
One of the problem outlets is GCFI and I have tried that, is that how you check?
Skill level on a scale of 1- 10 I am about a 1. but I would definatley be interested in knowing more about checking for an failed connection, even if I hire a professional to fix for me.
I am still confused as to why some outlets and lights on the same circut still work?
Thanks for your reply!
One of the problem outlets is GCFI and I have tried that, is that how you check?
Skill level on a scale of 1- 10 I am about a 1. but I would definatley be interested in knowing more about checking for an failed connection, even if I hire a professional to fix for me.
I am still confused as to why some outlets and lights on the same circut still work?
Thanks for your reply!
#4
09-22-03, 12:30 PM
Member
If you have a dead GFCI receptacle, and if pressing the reset button does not bring it back to life, then you may have a real ground fault. Has you had a lot of rain recently? Or has somebody been messing around with a pressure washer? Or has somebody had a high-activty bath or shower? Or has somebody been splashing around in the kitchen? Or spraying the hose outside? Or has a tub or sink overflowed? Or a water heater leaked?
You may want to visit Home Depot and buy an $8 outlet tester. If you do, plug it in and tell us what it says.
You may want to visit Home Depot and buy an $8 outlet tester. If you do, plug it in and tell us what it says.
#6
09-22-03, 01:50 PM
Member
A "ground fault" is a current leakage. The GFCI device doesn't actually figure out where the current leaked to, but the assumption is that it leaked to ground, and the fear is that it leaked to ground through you. That's why the GFCI shuts off the circuit.
You need to wait until the wet receptacle dries out before the GFCI will reset. You might be able to accelerate that with a hair dryer.
If you think this flooding might happen again, you might consider moving that receptacle to higher or drier ground.
You need to wait until the wet receptacle dries out before the GFCI will reset. You might be able to accelerate that with a hair dryer.
If you think this flooding might happen again, you might consider moving that receptacle to higher or drier ground.
#7
09-22-03, 07:24 PM
Thanks for your help John
I feel like I am narrowing down the possibilities.
I will try drying out the outlet and pick up a tester tomorrow.
Based on the layout or the house I assume the GCFI oulet is later in the chain of the problem devices (2nd to last of the 5 not working). Could it cause the devices between it and the panel to stop working?
thanks
I feel like I am narrowing down the possibilities.
I will try drying out the outlet and pick up a tester tomorrow.
Based on the layout or the house I assume the GCFI oulet is later in the chain of the problem devices (2nd to last of the 5 not working). Could it cause the devices between it and the panel to stop working?
thanks
#9
09-25-03, 06:05 PM
Well I finally got my neighbour over with his tester to test the problem outlets. He did the testing but all outlets had a single red light which he said meant there was "continuity" but no power.
The outlet that I mentioned had some dampness showed nothing on the tester.
I have gone throught the house and reset all the GFIs....without any effect....not sure what I wil do next. Any ideas?
The outlet that I mentioned had some dampness showed nothing on the tester.
I have gone throught the house and reset all the GFIs....without any effect....not sure what I wil do next. Any ideas?
#10
09-25-03, 08:42 PM
Member
The phrase "continuity but no power" is not something that makes sense to me. Can you tell us exactly what the tester said, in the terminology of the tester rather than the terminology of your neighbor?
Did you correct the dampness?
Did you correct the dampness?
