A faulty power outlet can mean anything from a small inconvenience to a major business problem, depending on when and where your outlet decides to quit working. There are times to troubleshoot the outlet yourself, and other times you should call a professional electrician for help.
Is it a Serious Electrical Problem?
The first thing you should check is whether or not you have a serious, potentially dangerous, electrical issue. Look for these signs:
- Is the outlet burned, discolored, or melted in any way?
- Is the cover plate warm or hot to the touch?
- Do you smell burning or other strange odors?
- Is the outlet smoking or sparking?
If any of the above symptoms are present, you may have a serious electrical problem. You should immediately stop using the outlet and disconnect the power by turning off the breaker and call a Fowler Electric right away. Don’t take the chance of causing further damage or an electrical fire.
Troubleshooting a Faulty Outlet
If none of the above symptoms are present, you may be able to fix the problem yourself. Using trial and error, try one or more of the following.
First, be sure the outlet is actually the problem. Try plugging something else into the outlet. Seems simple, but when things aren’t working correctly it’s easy to overlook the simplest solution. You can also plug your device into a different outlet that you know is working.
Once you’ve ruled that out and are sure the outlet is bad, check your breakers. Be sure the breaker is not tripped, and if it is, turn it back to the on position.
Breakers Keep Tripping? Here’s 5 Possible Causes
Lastly, check the GFCI. GFCIs are similar to circuit breakers and are meant to trip to avoid surges that may cause more serious issues. Push the test button on your GFCI and then the reset button. Also check other GFCIs that are on the same circuit as your faulty outlet.
Still having issues? If the above troubleshooting tips didn’t fix your outlet, it may simply need to be replaced. Like anything else in life, outlets can simply wear out.
Give Fowler Electric a call or email today and we’ll come out to help. 702-778-4346.
You can also make an appointment for a free estimate below.
