electric outlets no longer work

movistar

I was replacing my kitchen outlets over the counters, I successfully changed the first of three. On the second one, when I pushed it back in and heard a pop and saw sparks. The outlet had a burn mark where the hot wire was connected. Now none of the outlets work, I tried the breaker but it didn't do anything. What happened and how do I fix it?
Thanks

CowboyAndy

Check the breaker again. Sometimes when they trip, you have to move them ALL THE WAY to the off position before switching back on. Also, is there a GFI receptical somewhere?


The question is WHY did something touch metal and sparks go flying?

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BigJimmy

Probably touched the brass screw to the plaster ring. The bigger question would be, why on earth were you wiring the recepts hot??!

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The very existence of flamethrowers proves that some time, somewhere, someone said to themselves,"You know, I want to set those people over there on fire, but I'm just not close enough to get the job done." - George Carlin

movistar

Thanks Andy, hit the switch again and that did the trick.

Termite

That's why a lot of electricians wrap the receptacles' terminals with electrical tape.

You should never work on this sort of thing with the circuit hot. Bet it made you jump!

BigJimmy

Understood but the OP's first line reads: "I was replacing my kitchen outlets over the counters..." If you're doing a one-for-one swap out, at some point you have to put a screw bar on the hot screw.

Couldn't agree more. Even many professional electricians that I know will avoid hot-wiring unless it's absolutely necessary.

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The very existence of flamethrowers proves that some time, somewhere, someone said to themselves,"You know, I want to set those people over there on fire, but I'm just not close enough to get the job done." - George Carlin