Natwerk Designs

outdoor outlets don't work?

I have two outdoor (covered ) and one outlet on the wall of the garage. None of the three work. There is no GFI on any of the outlets. The circuit breaker box shows all is good. I tripped the one marked garage to make sure, re-set it, and still nothing. All other outlets inside house work, and I checked all outlets with GFI's (kitchen, and baths) and they work fine Ideas?

Public Comments

1. Pull the first receptacle in the series of outlets its probably the one outside and it probably is corroded and loosing contact with the wiring.
2. ive seen new houses have another outlet in the basement with the gfi
3. a recpticle tester is less than $3. plug it in and it will tell you which wire is disconnected.
4. Get a receptacle tester as someone else mentioned. I have one and it really helps to narrow down where the problem is coming from. Plus it's cheap. The first outlet in the series is most likely causing the problem, so if you're going to replace or open any of them, your best bet is the first one from the circuit breaker. If you want to replace all of the outlets, it would cost less than $1.50. You can get one for 45 cents. If replacing the outlets doesn't work, then call an electrician to check the wiring. Hope this helps! :-)
5. If your home was built when GFCI's were required then you most likely have one that is evading your discovery. I have usually found this to be the case when I get a call for help. Once I discovered a GFCI behind a large cabinet in a garage. Look for a hidden one in the garage, laundry or adjoining room, or perhaps another box on the outside. If you have to, check every outlet in the home.
6. A tripped GFCI somewhere that you missed. Basement? Garage?
7. your panel maybe marked wrong. It won't hurt to reset all the breakers,other than also resetting time on clocks in the house. still could be a gfci receptacle missed somewhere or bad on load side