Electrical Question

[duffysmom]

I just replaced a rocker switch in bathroom (using YouTube) and now the two outlets in that room as well as the guest bath do not work; the rocker switch does work. :faint:
What am I doing wrong.....
Thanks

[Fredman]

Probably tripped the gfi

[duffysmom]

Probably tripped the gfi

OK how do I get them back from their trip::ohdear:, I’ve pressed the reset button in the bath outlets but nothing happens. I see the electric panel in the garage has a tab on it that says “TEST” next to the bath switch but when I turned it off and then on the outlets still didn’t work. Help!!

[retiredguy123]

To reset a tripped circuit breaker in the garage panel, you need to push it in 2 directions, all the way to the off position, and then all the way to the on position. Also, make sure the reset buttons on the bath outlets are pushed all the way in. Good luck.

[South2C]

Why did you replace the rocker switch in the first place? Assuming it was a light switch I would think there is a GFI at fault. Did you check the power at the rocker switch? Are your bathrooms located next to each other? Is your kitchen close? check all GFI in the house including the garage.

[village dreamer]

and outside gfi

[Chatbrat]

If there were a bunch of neutrals in the same box as the switch box they might have loosened-but the most likely cause is a trip GFI, which should not have happened if the power was off when you changed the switch--make sure there is nothing plugged into any outlet

exercise the circuit breaker-force it all the way off, it should cock , then push it to the on position--then check the GFI's for a green light if no light put the reset buttons

[duffysmom]

In the garage I turned the switch off and then off but still nothing happened to the two outets in the bath rooms.

The other outlets are all working and will reset but the two bathrooms which are back to back do not work.

The rocker switch was replaced because the existing rocker was broken and did not work. It works now.

I may have to call an electrician and bite the bullet. I hate when they show up throw a switch and all is well except for my wallet. :boxing2:

I’m not familiar with an outside gfi. But then again all other outlets are working.

Thanks for the suggestions.:ho:

[duffysmom]

If there were a bunch of neutrals in the same box as the switch box they might have loosened-but the most likely cause is a trip GFI, which should not have happened if the power was off when you changed the switch--make sure there is nothing plugged into any outlet

exercise the circuit breaker-force it all the way off, it should cock , then push it to the on position--then check the GFI's for a green light if no light put the reset buttons

Should I turn off the main circuit breaker or just the baths?

[Henryk]

I was surprised to find another GFI in my garage. You may have two, too.

I don’t think turning off the main will help.

[rjm1cc]

In my house the GIF switch in one bathroom controls the outlets in all my bathrooms. I also had two GIF's in the garage. I would check each outlet looking for the GIF button as a last resort.

If that does not work I would turn the circuit breaker off and reinstall the light switch. My guess is a wire is touching something it should not and the GIF switch senses it. The switch may look like it is ok so even if it looks ok I would reset it.


I think my electrical skills are the same as yours and I actually called an electrician who turn the GIF on.

[Chatbrat]

NEVER ever turn of the main, unless the house is on fire, turn off individual breakers only

[l2ridehd]

1. First check all GFI outlets and breakers. On GFI outlets push the test button and then the reset button. Should trip when test is pushed and reset pushes hard and clicks when correct. If nothing happens when you push test, then no power is getting to that GFI outlet. Look for another someplace else. They will string 6 or 7 of these together so they can be in different rooms. But all outlets in the bathrooms and kitchen should be GFI.

2. Check the power distribution panel usually in the garage for a tripped GFI breaker. They are usually yellow or small yellow around breaker. As stated above you have to push them off before moving them to on. A good way to check them is to wiggle the breaker between two fingers. If it feels loose it is tripped. If solid it is OK.

3. Next I would go through the replaced switch and make sure it was done correctly. Was this a single or a 3 way switch? In other words is there more then one location for the switch? Did it have three wires (red, black, and white, red and black on switch) or (just two black) attached to the switch?

If none of this works, PM me and I will come and fix it for you.

[Rapscallion St Croix]

I just replaced a rocker switch in bathroom (using YouTube) and now the two outlets in that room as well as the guest bath do not work; the rocker switch does work. :faint:
What am I doing wrong.....
Thanks

Errr....messing with something that you don't understand and which will gladly kill you.

[photo1902]

Errr....messing with something that you don't understand and which will gladly kill you.

Agreed. No offense, but OP, please call an electrician, and let this be a lesson.

[Chatbrat]

lighting is usually a 15 amp circuit, the outlets usually are 20 amp circuits--in a newer house there could be an arc fault breaker--this too could be a breaker that hs to be reset

[dewilson58]

Shocking, just plain shocking.

[Chatbrat]

again, lighting & receptacles should be different circuits

[BobnBev]

Shocking, just plain shocking.

Only if you touch the 2 wires
:a040::a040::boom:

[BK001]

Shocking, just plain shocking.

You always crack me up!:bigbow:

[South2C]

Did you figure out the problem? There is an eight dollar item from Home Depot or Low's to test your GFI. you plug it in and look at the led bulbs which tel you the problem. No need for an electrician.

[Chatbrat]

Again, the light circuit should be separate from an outlet circuit, will bet the person doesn't know how to reset a circuit breaker--it may look ON, but its not- single pole breakers only 20 amp breakers-push them to full off then push to full on

[mtdjed]

From the OPs description, I would strongly suggest either getting a friend who has knowledge of electrical circuits or an electrician.

[HOPSKIPJUMP]

What you did wrong is you tried to do it your self. When the fire starts don't try to put it out yourself call the fire dept.

[Chatbrat]

So, what was the remedy?

[Tom52]

If the gfi outlet and the replaced rocker switch are in the same box I would first check your work to insure you don't have any wires touching or arching between each other. I would then use a volt meter to confirm you have 120 volts on the black (hot) wire that feeds the gfi outlet. If you have 120 volts coming into the gfi outlet but the outlet has no power the gfi outlet may need to be replaced. You didn't by chance remove any wires from the gfi outlet then reattach did you? If you did you may not have rewired it incorrectly. Gfi outlets have special terminals for line (incoming black wire) and load (outgoing black wire). I assume if you are able to replace the rocker switch safely you have enough common sense to know how to check voltage on a live outlet. If not find someone qualified to do so.

[retiredguy123]

Are you sure that the outlets were working prior to replacing the rocker switch?

[Chatbrat]

If you PM me I'll fix it no charge I'm a retired electrical contractor

[villagetinker]

I offered also, I am a retired professional electrical engineer.

[Chatbrat]

My biggest project was 4.2 million sq ft, with 120 K sq ft of gaming space--guess I can handle a wall switch & an outlet circuit--arthritus makes it tough to handle tools , but an electric screw gun makes things less tasking-had 200 men on that project for a few years & it was not a money maker

[Tom C]

It is great to see so many people willing to help a neighbor. Congrats to the community!!

[dewilson58]

I offered also, I am a retired professional electrical engineer.

I've plugged in Christmas Lights before.

:MOJE_whot:

[photo1902]

I've plugged in Christmas Lights before.

:MOJE_whot:

Winner!

[CWGUY]

I've plugged in Christmas Lights before.

:MOJE_whot:

:shocked: Like Clark Griswold?;)

[CFrance]

I've plugged in Christmas Lights before.

:MOJE_whot:
De, somehow that doesn't electrify me...

[Nucky]

:1rotfl::1rotfl:I'll bet its a GFI that has NOTHING to do that is not in the area you were working in or the breaker needs to be turned off and then FIRMLY snapped into to on position.

Chatbrat or Villagetinker or 12ridehd are great alternatives, not dewilson who is actually Dennis Mitchell ! :1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

[Chatbrat]

At least kindly tell the community how the problem was resolved--some are curious others may care

[dewilson58]

I'll bet its a GFI that has NOTHING to do that is not in the area you were working in or the breaker needs to be turned off and then FIRMLY snapped into to on position.

Chatbrat or Villagetinker or 12ridehd are great alternatives, not dewilson who is actually Dennis Mitchell !


HEY...............I resemble that comment.

[Nucky]

HEY...............I resemble that comment.

You are NOTHING but the best! :bigbow:

[GoPacers]

If you have two GFI's in the same circuit they need to be wired correctly to ensure they work as intended. If that truly is the issue it's best to contact someone with specific knowledge of electrical circuits (i.e. electrician or similar). Normally one would not put two GFI's in the same circuit in a single residential dwelling but this is The Villages and construction standards/practices are not what you'd find other places (whether or not to code).

[villagerjack]

If you have two GFI's in the same circuit they need to be wired correctly to ensure they work as intended. If that truly is the issue it's best to contact someone with specific knowledge of electrical circuits (i.e. electrician or similar). Normally one would not put two GFI's in the same circuit in a single residential dwelling but this is The Villages and construction standards/practices are not what you'd find other places (whether or not to code).

It is not clear that is what happened. There was no problem until she tried to replace a broken switch. We seem to now live in an era where accusations are thrown about freely without evidence or corroboration. Really not necessary.

[photo1902]

It is not clear that is what happened. There was no problem until she tried to replace a broken switch. We seem to now live in an era where accusations are thrown about freely without evidence or corroboration. Really not necessary.

:bigbow:

[fw102807]

Wow, how many of you "pretend comedians" have wives that would actually try to repair or replace something. Or how many of you non funny joker's have tried to try to do something other than sitting in front of the TV and making fun of the creative people who are what makes the world go around. Or think drinking is your contribution to the betterment of the world. One wonderful women who is willing to "try" is worth 100 of you that sit back and make fun of a terrific person. Shame on you:clap2:

While I admire her wanting to attempt to replace this switch electricity is not something I think novices should be fooling around with. She could burn down her house.

[New Englander]

At least kindly tell the community how the problem was resolved--some are curious others may care

Your right. Many tried to help and Yourself and Tinker offered a free fix. The OP should post back here.

[duffysmom]

At least kindly tell the community how the problem was resolved--some are curious others may care

Wow... so many posts and kind hearted offers , thank you. Sorry for the delay in responding, we were dealing with emergency dental surgery the last couple of days.:ohdear: I called an electrician and will update when I know the answer.

[Joeint]

Electricity will kill you and it will hurt the whole time. Stick to a safer diy projects.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Nucky]

Wow... so many posts and kind hearted offers , thank you. Sorry for the delay in responding, we were dealing with emergency dental surgery the last couple of days.:ohdear: I called an electrician and will update when I know the answer.



Come on, you have no electricity now and your computer battery died. Just kidding with you.

After painting a room my wife was helping me install new outlet covers. I had already replaced the actual outlets and switches. Well by mistake with the best of intentions the little screw that holds the decorative plate on went into a slot in the outlet instead of where it belonged. It melted a wire about 40 feet away and took a professional licensed electrician many hours to track down the spot. No Good Deed Goes Unpunished. I hope your repair is cheap. I give you credit for trying. I'll use YOUTUBE for a tip. I also now stay away from WEB M.D.

[Chatbrat]

If it melted a wire 40' away, did the breaker trip, if not you're breakers may have to be replaced--I was responsible for the recall of Federal Pacific circuit breakers- they would not trip on short circuits & they falsified their UL testing

[Nucky]

If it melted a wire 40' away, did the breaker trip, if not you're breakers may have to be replaced--I was responsible for the recall of Federal Pacific circuit breakers- they would not trip on short circuits & they falsified their UL testing

That was the name of the breaker. It did not trip. I luckily was home and shut down that side of the house. Can't forget that burning electrical smell, wasn't nice. The house was in Florham Park and only about 40 years old at that time.

[duffysmom]

:oops::oops::oops: Well, the electrician came today and when he looked at the panel in the garage one switch was tripped, it was Bath gfi....... which was located on the top right side of the panel. I had turned off the switch to the baths on the left side. That did turn off the power to the rocker switch but as we all now know it tripped the gfi. I know, I know all you kind folks told me it had to be the gfi but I missed it on the panel. Well folks that little mistake cost me $101.28.

One thing that came out of this little fiasco, my
belief in the generosity of my Village neighbors was once again validated. Thank you all for taking the time to offer your help. :pray:
PS Mr. Duffysmom was not amused!!:ohdear:

[Chatbrat]

Thank you, trust your friends on this forum-- we will never steer you wrong

[photo1902]

Thank you, trust your friends on this forum-- we will never steer you wrong

And never take an instructional video on YouTube as the gospel. Especially with something like electricity.