After the storm this week, I find that all of my electrical outlets that are on the outside of my house are not working
by
Joe S
+9
I checked the fuse box, and there are no tripped fuses, this is a new house, is it normal for the outside outlets to not be on a fuse?
12 answers
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It's required by code that any exterior outlets use a GFCI outlet or, Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter. Sometimes within the house, there will be a special breaker or fuse that is labeled or set specifically for GFCI outlets within the house. You can try resetting that breaker and or checking the fuse. The other option you can try is to check each one of your GFCI outlets on the interior and exterior of the house to see if the Test button is pushed in. I would hit the Reset button on all of them to make sure. Some of the newer GFI outlets have a small green light on them that tells you whether they are supplying power or no light if the outlet has been tripped. It could be that because one of the outlets has tripped, all of the GFI outlets on that circuit are tripped as well.
Jeff C
on Apr 21, 2012
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Sounds like a plan, I'll start checking all of the outlets.
Joe S
on Apr 21, 2012
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you have a GFCI tripped somewhere. check beside each exterior door, garage, basement, & under the electrical panel. you should find one tripped there may also be one near the AC units
Burco Surface & Decor LLC.
on Apr 21, 2012
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Also keep in mind that these "GFCI" outlets are not as "long lived" as a basic recept. I replace a dozen or so each year for clients. When one has "failed" no amount of resetting will bring it back to life.
KMS Woodworks
on Apr 22, 2012
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i hate a GFI receptacle & arc fault breakers. both of them cost more homeowners money than any other electrical problem. You wont find any Arc fault breakers in my house and the only outlets i keep a GFI on are the bathroom receptacles. Why just the bathroom, because it hasn't went out yet, the day it goes out is the day a regular outlet will go in.
Burco Surface & Decor LLC.
on Apr 22, 2012
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KMS is right...alot of this stuff is made in mexico now and they just don't last very long or so it seems. I've seen them go bad in a couple of years. GFIs are a good idea around water or you do run the risk of getting shocked. We had a house once where the basement GFI was tied to the master bedroom on the 4th floor...took us forever to figure that one out!
HandyANDY - Handyman & All Repairs, LLC
on Apr 23, 2012
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Handy...GFCI's are more than "just a good idea" These are "code requirements" now. Unfortunately "code" does not differentiate between a $5-6 dollar mexican / chinese basic piece of crap outlet or a higher grade $15 -20 version. As is the case with most products "you get what you pay for"
KMS Woodworks
on Apr 23, 2012
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Finally, I went through all of the outlets in the house and nothing. So, I went to change the air filter in my HVAC, and low and behold, there is a unused GFI outlet, and it was the one that needed to be reset. thanks for all the great information!
Joe S
on Apr 23, 2012
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Joe...that reminds me of a time I had a similar problem at a clients home. There the jetted tub was piggy backed on an outlet located deep in a closet on the other side of the home...go figure eh? Elegant and wiring schematics often tend to be on opposite sides of the spectrum
KMS Woodworks
on Apr 23, 2012
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Had similar situation in a condo I had a few years ago, both outside outlets didn't work one day, the GFCI that needed to be reset was inside my garage on the wall, go figure? In another home, the outside outlets were controlled by a GFCI in my upstairs bathroom!
Clay B
on Apr 23, 2012
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This is a reply to Burco Surface & Decor. I just had to chime in on the stupidity of your comments. These devices are property and, most of all, LIFE savers. Go ahead and replace that bath GFCI with a standard receptacle device. Put some foil wallpaper in there while your at it, too. It looks so nice. You "hasn't went out yet" either but I can see your well on your way there. I apologize to those offended by my reply but bad advise needs to be stricken from the record.
Midlantic Contracting LLC / Midlantic Electric Inc
on May 18, 2012
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Given the option to pay $8 bucks...or die from electrocution...I'll go with the 8 bucks.
KMS Woodworks
on May 18, 2012
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