Should I just call an electrician?

[samson3382]

Having a wiring issue in my house. My wife definitely overloaded a kitchen breaker, lost power, so I checked the breaker box and nothing was tripped.

I reset both kitchen breakers anyway and still apparently no power, but, as I later found out, the outlet behind the refrigerator is a GFCI, still working, and on the same breaker, though would appear to be the "last" on the breaker. I got my cheap little outlet tester out, and when nothing else on the breaker is powered up, the tester shows correct, although the center light, open ground, is slightly dimmer.

When I click on this gadget, (or any other that functions properly on other breakers) it does not work, and the tester shows hot/ground reverse.

I've pulled all of the outlets except the GFCI, and as far as my limited knowledge can tell me, nothing appeared amiss.

The house is only about 16 years old, was supposedly inspected, but I'm curious by whom exactly.

Im confident in replacing or installing new outlets or GFCI outlets bit that's about the end of my experience.

Should I just call an expert or could this be an easy fix?

 

[AnalogKid4003]

Could be that "gadget" causing the problem.

 

[254 stringer]

Ok so the fridge is still running but everything else is dead? I'm betting a loose neutral somewhere probably in that gfi box. Its also weird that the gfi is on the fridge those can nuisance trip those recepts.

 

[basscooker]

With electric, if you are asking yourself if to call a pro or not, the answer IMO should be call a pro. May actually be simple and easy, but anytime you question your ability to troubleshoot an issue with potential lethality, or a fire risk just call in a pro.

 

[254 stringer]

Can you get access to an actual voltage meter? And also is everything else in your house working normally and lights aren't getting really bright or dim when you use the dryer or anything?

 

[samson3382]

Ok so the fridge is still running but everything else is dead? I'm betting a loose neutral somewhere probably in that gfi box. Its also weird that the gfi is on the fridge those can nuisance trip those recepts.

I'll check that box, best I can.

 

[254 stringer]

I'll check that box, best I can.

If it's not something that just stands out in there I would call an electrician. You just never know how they decided to wire a house. The plugs could be daisy chained or there could be joints in the ceiling box where the lights are mounted or a junction box in the attic if there was a plug added. I always check the easy stuff first bad the sad part is it can get pretty involved tracing out house wiring looking for a short.

 

[Bent77]

I'll check that box, best I can.

Don't zap yourself. Turn off the breaker.
If you don't find anything, call sparky

 

[samson3382]

Don't zap yourself. Turn off the breaker.
If you don't find anything, call sparky

Of course.

Here's what I found;

Breaker is off, this box is definitely done, I'd feel comfortable replacing it..

 

[Bent77]

Of course.

Here's what I found;
View attachment 787833
Breaker is off, this box is definitely done, I'd feel comfortable replacing it..

Looking like the electrons leaked out. Tighten the wire nuts too

 

[basscooker]

You may have only found the symptom, or the results of another problem. What CAUSED the thing to burn up?

 

[samson3382]

You may have only found the symptom, or the results of another problem. What CAUSED the thing to burn up?

I know the breaker was overloaded, possibly heavily, but yeah, why didn't it just pop the breaker?

 

[Bent77]

I know the breaker was overloaded, possibly heavily, but yeah, why didn't it just pop the breaker?

They don't always

Need to make sure that neutral is carrying properly

 

[basscooker]

20 amp breaker, 15 amp receptacle? Just guessing.

 

[samson3382]

Something else to note, the dedicated microwave breaker shows hot/neutral reverse on my tester. The built in microwave croaked a couple months ago. Timer, clock still work but doesn't cook.

 

[samson3382]

20 amp breaker, 15 amp receptacle? Just guessing.

Both 20.

 

[samson3382]

They don't always

Need to make sure that neutral is carrying properly

Can I do that once it's been replaced with my cheap tester?

And, should I replace that GFCI with a normal receptacle and put one or maybe two on the other receptacles on that breaker? They happen to be on either side of the sink- aren't they supposed to be GFCI that close to a water source?
The receptacle behind the refrigerator is directly above the water line for the ice maker, might be why it was a GFCI, don't know.

 

[Bent77]

Do you have a multi meter?
Not a fan of plug n play testers

 

[samson3382]

Do you have a multi meter?
Not a fan of plug n play testers

I do not, maybe it's time I get one. Could likely borrow one too.

 

[samson3382]

I do not, maybe it's time I get one. Could likely borrow one too.

Even better borrow a friend with one that knows what he's looking at.