Light & Outlet go off after 15 mins of another light being on
#1
07-13-15, 09:26 AM
Light & Outlet go off after 15 mins of another light being on
I have a light (Light 1) fixture that has the feed coming into it. On the same switch is another light (Light 2). An outlet in another room gets it's power from Light 1 and powers a separate switch light (Light 3) in the room with the outlet. If light 3 is on, outlet & light are fine. If Light 1 & Light 2 are on, Light 3 and the outlet will turn off after about 15 mins. A circuit test reads Open Neutral on the outlet. Attached is a diagram of the wiring.
#2
07-13-15, 10:32 AM
There is a loose connection, partially broken or corroded wire somewhere in this circuit. The likely location is in the light 1 junction box, but other junction boxes upstream of that box are possibilities too including the breaker box. The solution is to go box by box, remaking connections and replacing devices (switches and receptacles) until you find the bad one.
Please post back for additional instructions if you have aluminum wiring, a Zinsco brand or FPE brand electrical panel as you have found a symptom of a bigger problem.
Please post back for additional instructions if you have aluminum wiring, a Zinsco brand or FPE brand electrical panel as you have found a symptom of a bigger problem.
#3
07-13-15, 10:48 AM
The feed is coming directly from the panel. All runs in diagram are the only things on that circuit. The wiring is fairly new. Checked all boxes every thing is connected tightly. I was thinking that the wiring in light 1 may not be correct.
#7
07-13-15, 11:29 AM
Light 2 and outlet will come back on after 5 mins or so as long as Light 1 is not on. If light 1 is on, I will have to shut it off and wait a few minutes before light 2 will work again.
#10
07-13-15, 12:51 PM
If all the connections are tight, devices are good and it's all relatively new gear, I would start looking for a damaged cable. It is possible it was crimped or pinched during install, too-tight box clamp, rodent damage, puncture by picture-hanging nail something like that. One diagnostic test that might be revealing is to unhook each cable segment and measure the round-trip resistance, looking for anything that shows up as high. Wiggle everything around, pull on the cables a little. See if you can induce a failure to determine where the problem lies.
#11
07-13-15, 01:21 PM
OK. Was hoping that it may have just been wired wrong, and I can quick fix it. Looks like I will have to call the electrician back, as I don't have those sort of tools or know how to use them. He will find something wrong to charge me for. 
Thanks for your help.
Thanks for your help.
