circuit issue
#1
09-07-20, 09:28 PM
circuit issue
most of a circuit is out except for 1 light no GFI tripped or fuse blown.
I have an outside light that is out,
An outside plug that is out,
I have two flood lights at opposite ends of the house, they are controlled by the same light switch, one works and one does not.
the flood light and the outside light switches are in the same box.
the outlet is under the switch box, but on the outside of the house, the light is just above the switch, but on the outside of the house.
I'm confused how one light would work?
obviously I'm not looking for tripped GFI or breaker.
is my issue in one of the boxes?
I have an outside light that is out,
An outside plug that is out,
I have two flood lights at opposite ends of the house, they are controlled by the same light switch, one works and one does not.
the flood light and the outside light switches are in the same box.
the outlet is under the switch box, but on the outside of the house, the light is just above the switch, but on the outside of the house.
I'm confused how one light would work?
obviously I'm not looking for tripped GFI or breaker.
is my issue in one of the boxes?
#2
09-08-20, 02:19 AM
I am assuming everything was working correctly before current issue. Are you sure flood light is not burned out? If I understand your description correctly, there are 5 electrical boxes here. One for the two switches, one for outside light, one for outside outlet and one each for the 2 outside flood lights. After opening breaker to circuit (based on your assumption all circuit loads come from a single breaker) , remove switch box cover. Make sure wires terminating on switches are behind screws, not stabs, and all wire nuts are tight without any loose wires. Record number of cables exiting the electrical box. Turn breaker back on and see if issue resolved. If issue not resolved, repeat above process at each of the 4 remaining electrical boxes. If issue still remains, report back the number of cables exiting each box and if you have an AC voltmeter.
#3
09-08-20, 07:35 AM
Thanks,
I'm not sure the flood light in not burned out. (2 story house, don't want to get up there unless I have to)
The inside box actually has 3 switches. on controls an inside plug on the other side of the room. That one is always on and working fine.
Nothing else is out, so I assumed everything is on the same circuit.
Ill open up some boxes today.
I'm not sure the flood light in not burned out. (2 story house, don't want to get up there unless I have to)
The inside box actually has 3 switches. on controls an inside plug on the other side of the room. That one is always on and working fine.
Nothing else is out, so I assumed everything is on the same circuit.
Ill open up some boxes today.
#5
09-08-20, 10:44 AM
Group Moderator
two flood lights at opposite ends of the house, they are controlled by the same light switch, one works and one does not.
#6
09-08-20, 12:38 PM
maybe they are not on the same circuit, as the outside outlet or the light.
another explanation could be the issue is after the split, and the plug and light that do not work, get ran after the split on the same side as the issue?
or
does the electric probably get run to one light, then out of that light all the way to the other one?
another explanation could be the issue is after the split, and the plug and light that do not work, get ran after the split on the same side as the issue?
or
does the electric probably get run to one light, then out of that light all the way to the other one?
Last edited by 2ball; 09-08-20 at 12:58 PM.
#7
09-08-20, 12:44 PM
I'm going to buy a High powered LED flood light and switch it out, so no matter what so I only have to get up there one time. I'll make sure the light works before I do that.
I never use the outside flood lights. I don't ever remember changing that flood light and I've been in my house for 27 years.
I never use the outside flood lights. I don't ever remember changing that flood light and I've been in my house for 27 years.
#8
09-09-20, 05:18 AM
You and I and anyone else could guess on how the switches, outlets and lights are wired from now until the cows come home. Since you are not positive all the loads you are describing are on the same breaker, I asked you to report the number of cables exiting each of the 5 electrical boxes so I could come up with a wiring diagram to assist in diagnosing the issue. This is a 2 way street.
#10
09-12-20, 06:17 PM
so it looks like I had 3 issues, all unrelated.
the two flood lights that were connected to 1 switch (one light worked one light didn't) = just a burned out bulb
the outside light = the switch inside went bad
the outside outlet = still working on that. It seems that is powered from the same box that houses the other mentioned switches, so hopefully some wire nut is loose and it an easy fix.
the two flood lights that were connected to 1 switch (one light worked one light didn't) = just a burned out bulb
the outside light = the switch inside went bad
the outside outlet = still working on that. It seems that is powered from the same box that houses the other mentioned switches, so hopefully some wire nut is loose and it an easy fix.
#11
09-13-20, 11:10 AM
<img src="https://i.imgur.com/lqprX0P.jpg" width="724" height="579"/>
gHere is what the box looks like . Since everything else works, can I assume the problem is after the box?
I changed the outside outlet also.
gHere is what the box looks like . Since everything else works, can I assume the problem is after the box?
I changed the outside outlet also.
#12
09-13-20, 11:15 AM
I couldn't type on the post with the pic.
This is what the box looks like. The outside outlet does not work. I just changed the outside outlet also.
There are ground wires that I did not illustrate. The wires in the wire nuts seem twisted together very well ( like by a machine) and all are making a connection.
I believe my problem is after the box?
If all else fails, I could just run another line from the box to the outside outlet? (its in the same wall cavity)
and for the record, the outside outlet has been intermittently not worked for several years.
the inside outlet switch has 2 switches that control it.
This is what the box looks like. The outside outlet does not work. I just changed the outside outlet also.
There are ground wires that I did not illustrate. The wires in the wire nuts seem twisted together very well ( like by a machine) and all are making a connection.
I believe my problem is after the box?
If all else fails, I could just run another line from the box to the outside outlet? (its in the same wall cavity)
and for the record, the outside outlet has been intermittently not worked for several years.
the inside outlet switch has 2 switches that control it.
#13
09-14-20, 05:13 AM
Member
Hi, remove that outside receptacle, use a meter to check for voltage, I doubt the cable is bad, you did connect the feed to the LINE terminals on the GFCI receptacle.
Geo
Geo
#14
09-14-20, 12:21 PM
Since your outside floodlights work, your diagram is missing a wire between the 2 floodlights. The wire you have labelled black is either 120 vac or neutral, not both. Also the floodlights are always on since there is no switch connection. On the diagram the 2 switches labelled inside outlet switch are only connected together. Missing is the hot wire in and the switched hot to a load. I have asked for info in posts 2 and 8. Good luck.
#15
09-14-20, 04:40 PM
Since your outside floodlights work, your diagram is missing a wire between the 2 floodlights. The wire you have labelled black is either 120 vac or neutral, not both. Also the floodlights are always on since there is no switch connection. On the diagram the 2 switches labelled inside outlet switch are only connected together. Missing is the hot wire in and the switched hot to a load. I have asked for info in posts 2 and 8. Good luck.
The diagram, is just of what is inside the box that houses the three switches. The 4 rectangles ( [_] )at the top of the page labeled outside light, inside outlet, power in and outside flood light depict the actual electric wire coming into the box, the flood lights are not shown. The rectangle at the bottom labeled outside outlet also depicts the actual cable coming into the box.
There are 3 switches in the box, one for the outside light, 1 for the inside outlet and one for the outside flood light.
#16
09-14-20, 04:49 PM
Hi, remove that outside receptacle, use a meter to check for voltage, I doubt the cable is bad, you did connect the feed to the LINE terminals on the GFCI receptacle.]
there is no voltage to the outside outlet. I checked it when changed the outlet. I have also checked it with one of those plug testers. I have to double check the outlet to see where the wires are. The original outlet used the push fittings, on the new one, I used the screws. I put them on the same orientation as the original.
I feel like I am missing something.
The switch going bad seems unusual.
#17
09-23-20, 06:41 PM
So my plan was to just run a new power cable to get my outside outlet to work. The switch box and the outlet are in the same wall cavity, just 3 feet down.
Then I thought my outside outlet is not a GFI and I didn't replace it with a GFI.
My front outside outlet also is not a GFI, but it is ran from a GFI from an upstairs the bathroom.
I guess the back outlet could also be run from a GFI in the other bathroom?
Has anyone heard of builders doing this?
none the less, I could just put a GFI on my outside outlet, run a new line and be done?
Then I thought my outside outlet is not a GFI and I didn't replace it with a GFI.
My front outside outlet also is not a GFI, but it is ran from a GFI from an upstairs the bathroom.
I guess the back outlet could also be run from a GFI in the other bathroom?
Has anyone heard of builders doing this?
none the less, I could just put a GFI on my outside outlet, run a new line and be done?
My question is how much work will it be to get the existing box out? I see the metal bracket on the left side of the box which apparently connects to the face of the stud on that side. There is a large screw in the middle of the right hand bay which I don't know what it does. Looks like it might be clamping something to the back of the box.
The studs are 2X4's and it appears that nothing is behind the steel box. So I'd like to replace with a PVC 4 gang old work box that is a good inch deeper. The house was built in early '80s and I believe the steel box is original.
