Electrical Outlets in Garage and Outside not working
#1
12-21-12, 06:46 PM
Electrical Outlets in Garage and Outside not working
We had a pretty good wind storm this last weekend. After that the outlets in the garage and the outside stopped working, but the breaker was not tripped. Today I changed both the inside and outside outlets and the breaker for the outlets, but still cannot get them to work. What could be causing this? There is no GFCI outlet on this line (I think), and the breaker is a non-GFCI one as well. Any help is appreciated. Thanks.
#8
12-21-12, 07:42 PM
Forum Topic Moderator
A house that new should have GFI protection for the exterior receptacles. Now you just need to find it.
#10
12-22-12, 06:32 AM
Member
We had a pretty good wind storm this last weekend. After that the outlets in the garage and the outside stopped working, but the breaker was not tripped.
#12
12-22-12, 10:59 AM
You don't really try to find how they wired the house, just where the GFCI receptacle is. Then work out from there checking all of the regular receptacles wired to the load side. You just assume that logically the one nearest the last you checked is fed by the last checked. Not always true especially if there has been add-ons but the best you can do guess wise. If a GFCI breaker start at the receptacle nearest the panel and work out.
#14
12-22-12, 11:12 AM
There should really be only one GFCI unless subsequent receptacles are not wired from the load side which would usually be the wrong way to do it. If the other receptacles are wired from the load side they should not be GFCI.
#17
12-22-12, 01:43 PM
Forum Topic Moderator
Ray was saying there is no need for multiple GFI devices wired downstream from each other. They can be installed at different locations all wired on the LINE side. This makes each GFI a standalone device.
#18
12-22-12, 04:27 PM
Fixed the problem
After looking for the "missing" GFCI outlet, I went to the attic, and found the said GFCI outlet, right above the panel in the garage. I reset it, now the outlets are working. Now to figure out why it tripped in the first place. Thanks for you help guys.
#20
12-22-12, 04:46 PM
If there are any other GFCIs on the circuit of the GFCI you reset you need to find out if they are on the load side. If they are you don't need them and multiple GFCIs can sometimes cause a problem. If they go dead when the GFCI you found is tripped they are on the load side and should be replaced with a non GFCI receptacle. If outside use a weather proof receptacle.
#22
12-23-12, 09:34 AM
Can I move the outlet from the attic to down in to the garage? Is it an easy task?
*Assumes other receptacles run from the load side not the line side.
#24
12-26-12, 06:27 PM
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Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Indianapolis IN U.S.A.
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If you decide to run a line FROM attic (where GFI is/was) into garage (where GFI is or is going to be), you might consider installing a standard outlet in the box in attic. Gives you someplace to plug in a light.....HOWEVER....being upstream from the GFI it wouldnt be fault protected.
Last edited by LitUp; 12-26-12 at 06:28 PM. Reason: additional info
