I noticed today that one line has no power. First thing I checked was the panel, no circuits tripped. Two GFCI outlets in the house, neither on this line and neither one tripped. Total of 5 outlets not working. Not the sharpest knife in the draw when it comes to electricity. Opinions on what might be going on? Thank you.
One Line Not Getting Power
- Thread starter Carbo
- Start date
At first glance it doesn't appear any circuit tripped, but I'll look again. It's an older panel and the breakers are no longer clearly marked. Guess that means going through them one by one. 
Snap them all the way off, then on.
Most breakers won't reset from the tripped position.
Most breakers won't reset from the tripped position.
shortylickens
No Lifer
- Jul 15, 2003
- 82,854
- 17,364
- 136
Yeah, flip em back and forth, it can help.
Also, one day buy some troubleshooting tools.
They help.
Also, one day buy some troubleshooting tools.
They help.
Just ran through all the breakers, off and on. None were tripped, all remain on. Time to call a local electrician and get this taken care of.
herm0016
Diamond Member
- Feb 26, 2005
- 8,335
- 956
- 126
for a couple bucks more you can get name brand stuff. kline, southwire, fluke, sperry, etc.
or
I keep this in my main tool bag all the time.
and this in my pocket, every box I open gets checked, even if I know its hot, and ill be doing hot work in the box.
or
I keep this in my main tool bag all the time.
and this in my pocket, every box I open gets checked, even if I know its hot, and ill be doing hot work in the box.
herm0016
Diamond Member
- Feb 26, 2005
- 8,335
- 956
- 126
if you don't have any electrical experience, I always recommend you call a pro when you get to the point the panel has to be opened.
good decision.
OP, you're right to call a pro. Diagnosing this requires some tools, and a good understanding f\of electrical circuits and the logic of testing and diagnosis. PLUS the REAL issue of safety when dealing with live wires, especially inside the breaker box. Without that you are in potential danger doing it yourself, AND you may still fail to identify the source of the problem.
Electrician is on his way later today. Hopefully nothing too serious.
With that said, the panel is the original, pushing 40 years. I'm considering upgrading to a new, 150 amp box. Yeah or nay, and what might I expect cost wise, here in south FL?
With that said, the panel is the original, pushing 40 years. I'm considering upgrading to a new, 150 amp box. Yeah or nay, and what might I expect cost wise, here in south FL?
WilliamM2
Platinum Member
- Jun 14, 2012
- 2,222
- 385
- 126
I have a panel that will be 50 years old next year. 100 amps. Last inspected 6 years ago when I had AC installed. I thought I would need a new panel, but the inspecter said it was fine. In reality, almost everything in my home is more energy efficient than it was in 1974 when it was built.
Breakers go bad sometimes, but the panel is solid metal. nothing really to fail. Although I know there are issues with certain Federal Pacific, or Zinsco panels.
The cost to replace it was close to 2K 6 years ago. Who knows these days.
Can't tell you replacement cost, but 40 years old isn't a big deal.
If it's a Federal Pacific panel, have it replaced. The old Federal Pacific breakers don't trip at the correct amperage and start fires.
Red Squirrel
No Lifer
- May 24, 2003
- 66,394
- 11,583
- 126
You need to find where it feeds from, it might be another outlet. You have to think in physical logic of where the wiring passes through. For example I would check the connections of nearby plugs that do work, think of what is on the other side of the wall too, as the string of plugs might feed off a plug that is in another room and that plug might work, but the wire coming out to feed the rest is loose. Hope they did not backstab the plugs, those connections are notorious to fail over time and are a pain to deal with without the right tool to release the connection.
I agree with several above about replacement. 40 years is not too old for most.
I just replaced our house's main panel and exterior mast feed system but NOT solely for age. It was 51 years old with FUSES (not breakers) that I had installed as a poor graduate student at as low a cost as I could. Last summer we replaced our central gas furnace and added AC, but even the AC compressor unit needed only about 10 A max at 220 V, not a big added load. But our other main project was adding a new garage out at the back with a cable buried to it for electric power. As I have that wired the projected max load on a standard 120 / 240 V split feed would be about 20 A, again not too huge, but an increase for sure. However, in anticipation that someone in the near future might want to add to that garage a charger for Electric Vehicles, that item can easily be a 30 to 40 A load in today's designs, and might be over 60 A in future designs. So the buried cable and sub-panel are rated for 100 A. To accomodate all of that I DID have a contractor update our old 100 A service panel to 200 A. As I said, though, that was for projected major load increase, and not for age of the equipment.
Different size of service, and I don't live in the USA, so my costs probably do not help.
I just replaced our house's main panel and exterior mast feed system but NOT solely for age. It was 51 years old with FUSES (not breakers) that I had installed as a poor graduate student at as low a cost as I could. Last summer we replaced our central gas furnace and added AC, but even the AC compressor unit needed only about 10 A max at 220 V, not a big added load. But our other main project was adding a new garage out at the back with a cable buried to it for electric power. As I have that wired the projected max load on a standard 120 / 240 V split feed would be about 20 A, again not too huge, but an increase for sure. However, in anticipation that someone in the near future might want to add to that garage a charger for Electric Vehicles, that item can easily be a 30 to 40 A load in today's designs, and might be over 60 A in future designs. So the buried cable and sub-panel are rated for 100 A. To accomodate all of that I DID have a contractor update our old 100 A service panel to 200 A. As I said, though, that was for projected major load increase, and not for age of the equipment.
Different size of service, and I don't live in the USA, so my costs probably do not help.
Update: electrician came over, found a bad outlet and took care of the problem. Power back to all 5 outlets. $120
While here we talked about the existing panel. Turns out it's a 40 year old Federal Pacific. He suggested I replace it ASAP. It's a 150A box. Took at look at the outside box. Federal Pacific 200A. He offered to replace both with Siemens boxes, quoted $2400 for both.
While here we talked about the existing panel. Turns out it's a 40 year old Federal Pacific. He suggested I replace it ASAP. It's a 150A box. Took at look at the outside box. Federal Pacific 200A. He offered to replace both with Siemens boxes, quoted $2400 for both.
WilliamM2
Platinum Member
- Jun 14, 2012
- 2,222
- 385
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Not much more than I was quoted 6 years ago for a SquareD. Probably fair, if it's a 200A panel. Make sure there will be extra spaces for breakers in the future. I've ran out on my old 100A, had to use a tandem breaker for one of my circuits.
Your description in confusing, you say it's 150A box, but it says 200A on the outside? And what do you mean he will replace both? Thought it was one panel?
sdifox
No Lifer
- Sep 30, 2005
- 93,688
- 14,296
- 126
eh? that means the original installation was not up to code. You are supposed to pigtail each outlet to prevent the problem of one bad outlet taking out the chain.
There are two panels. The exterior panel on the side of the house is 200A. The panel inside the garage is 150A. Electrician suggested replacing both since they are old Federal Pacific units and apparently they are fire risks.
Red Squirrel
No Lifer
- May 24, 2003
- 66,394
- 11,583
- 126
It's a patented FPE technology. Gives an audio visual and even smell indication!
pcgeek11
Lifer
- Jun 12, 2005
- 20,957
- 4,170
- 126
In older houses I see Daisy Chained outlets all the time.
Top is Daisy Chained (series) ** not really series but it is often called that.
Bottom is Pigtailed (parallel)
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