Trying to troubleshoot no power on a run

pdsullivan

My son's bedroom has no power to outlets or light switch.THe breaker is working. When I test with with 3 prong device for grounding - it shows that it is backwards.It isn't really.When they were all working it showed correct wiring.
I have pulled all the outlets to check to see that all wires were attached-they are.The light switch is also connected.
I have a crawl space-is it possible that a rodent chewed through a wire and still show that there is power in the line?

Thanks
Parker

goose134

Make sure that the lighting sequence on your tester is showing a hot/neutral reverse and NOT an open neutral condition. This is step one. My working theory is a loose or disconnected neutral somewhere.

hms

Check to see if the room is attatched to a GFCI in the bathroom or kitchen or garage for some reason. If the GCFI tripped it may be tied to that circuit causing no power in the bdrm. Long shot, but that's where I'd start if the breakers are all OK. Good luck.

BigJimmy

When you say it shows backwards, do you mean "Hot and neutral reversed?" I'm assuming that this is one of those plug-in testers with 3-lights?

Thanks,
Jimmy

__________________
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HouseHelper

Loose neutral. Check the wiring on receptacles on that circuit that are still working... it is usually the last working receptacle where the problem lies.

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joed

If by reversed you mean a hot ground reversed then you have an open neutral.

goose134

No, this just means the polarity is reversed. An open neutral is exactly what it sounds like. I have said this repeatedly but in the event of an open neutral, turn off BOTH circuits of a multi wire branch circuit connected to that neutral. Open neutrals are very dangerous. For equipment AND personnel.

220/221

Keep pulling outlets in a logical order. The circuit extends beyond his bedroom . There is likely a broken connection in another outlet in another room. (backstabbers!!!)

Check the outlet where you plug the iron in

pdsullivan

Yes, the tester showed Hot/ground reversed. When the circuit was working and I tested it, it was correct.

There are two outlets that are not in his room and show the same thing on the tester. There are not any outlets anywhere else on the circuit - all on circuit are not functioning,nor the switch.

I have pulled every outlet, replaced every outlet and continue to get the same hot/ground reveresed.

joed

The problem is an open neutral. The problem is in the last working or first not working device in the circuit on the chain if you can follow the cable routing. It could also be in the panel. Loose neutral connections in the panel are not uncommon. It could also be in a light fixture or switch box.

220/221

How do you know that? Did you turn the breaker off, test his BR outlets and all the others in the area?


and why does my reply come up big and bold?

pdsullivan

Yes, I have checked other outlets to see what was all on the circuit with the breaker off.Two outlets are not in his BR and show reveresed hot/ground.

I don't have any idea why your messages come up the way they do.

220/221

Seems odd that there are only what....6 outlets on the circuit??


If you know that you've checked all the outlets and switch boxes in the circuit, there may be a hidden j box somewhere....or rats.


Question. How many wires in your switch box(es)?

If only 2 wires (one cable), there will be power running thru the ceiling light boxes that you need to check.



PS. I never use a tester like you have. With a simple voltage tester you can test power to neutral and power to ground separately to help isolate your problems.

BigJimmy

Actually, for as hated as they are, those receptacle testers are not bad. 3 separate neon lamps in series with dropping resistors between H-N, H-G and N-G: simplicity. My Amprobe meter does the same as long as you know what you are measuring and what you should see. On the other hand, the slender probes don't always make reliable contact, esp. with older recepts., whereas the plug/spades almost always do. It's the capacitive testers that I don't like. If you isolate yourself well enough (fiberglass ladder, good boots, gloves perhaps), they can lie.

__________________
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

pdsullivan

I have 2 wires (plus one for ground). I thought that I had checked the ceiling light and was ok- I will check again to be sure.