[Nortron]

Hello Everyone,

So outside, all around my desk are plugs, one in each corner basically, but they are all dead... I've checked the breaker panel, and nothing is tripped. I honestly have no idea where these plugs run too, or are connected too... I have two light switch's in the Kitchen that don't seem to operate anything so I thought they worked the plugs, but they don't...

So what is the best way to try and trace down where these plugs connect too? I've looked at multiple testers and tone tracers, but not sure what the best option might be... Please Advise...

 

[dchackert]

Have you check other outlets if a GFCI is tripped anywhere? I've had that happen a few times with this new house.

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[dj3]

You need to check all your plugs receptacles and switches to see which other ones are dead. Also check your breakers for damages, worn out and bad connections.
Last resort, a licensed electrician. Know your limits and don't cross them.

 

[Nortron]

Have you check other outlets if a GFCI is tripped anywhere? I've had that happen a few times with this new house.

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I checked that previously, and never noticed any GFCI, but will check again...

 

[seharper]

You need to check the whole house. GFCI devices are able to extend their protection to other parts of the circuit. That means a GFCI can be anywhere.

Also check the service panel itself for GFCI breakers.

Outdoor outlets are required to be under GFCI protection, and the above is a very good way to do that while keeping the GFCI device indoors for its protection. Outdoor GFCIs get destroyed by the weather far too fast.

 

[dchackert]

You need to check the whole house. GFCI devices are able to extend their protection to other parts of the circuit. That means a GFCI can be anywhere.

Also check the service panel itself for GFCI breakers.

Outdoor outlets are required to be under GFCI protection, and the above is a very good way to do that while keeping the GFCI device indoors for its protection. Outdoor GFCIs get destroyed by the weather far too fast.

I'm glad you mentioned the outdoor deal. We just had a sliding door installed and where it went they took the outlet that was on that wall and installed it outside for me. I just looked and no GFCI. Easy fix.

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[daveb1]

Back in the early days of GFI's, it was allowed.to run all outlets requiring protection from one GFI. It could be in the bathroom, garage, basement, kitchen, almost anywhere. Happy hunting!

 

[Nortron]

Back in the early days of GFI's, it was allowed.to run all outlets requiring protection from one GFI. It could be in the bathroom, garage, basement, kitchen, almost anywhere. Happy hunting!

Ya, this is what I'm afraid of... I've been looking at the Tone Generator Tracer devices, but not sure what would work or not... Would be nice to be able to plug in the tone generator in a dead outlet, then try and trace it into the basement or breaker panel...

 

[HotRodx10]

Would be nice to be able to plug in the tone generator in a dead outlet, then try and trace it into the basement or breaker panel...

The circuit has to on for the tracers to work.

 

[Nortron]

The circuit has to on for the tracers to work.

I thought there was versions out there with Battery powered transmitters?

 

[HotRodx10]

I thought there was versions out there with Battery powered transmitters?

Sorry, I should have been more explicit in my statement. The tracers that would be cost-effective for the OP's situation won't trace unenergized circuits. There are tracers for unenergized circuits, but the cheapest one I found last time I looked was over $300, and the reviews for it said it was junk. The well-reviewed ones were all north of $1000.


It's not powering the transmitter that's the problem; reading a flowing current is much easier than reading a signal on a dead line. No power means no continuity, which means no signal can flow.

 

[CodeMatters]

First place to check (when outside outlets at back of house have no power)
is the GFCI outlet at the front of the house. Could be tripped. Could be
faulty. Could be wired incorrectly.

EDIT: Unlikely to be fed from a GFI outlet within the house as that was
never code in Ontario.