If the GFCI outlet won’t reset or keeps tripping, it might not be a fluke and there may be water infiltration. Fortunately, resetting a GFCI outlet that’s not working is as simple as pushing the small rectangular button on the center of the outlet and plugging in a device to see if it comes on. GFCIs can be temperamental and shut off occasionally, even when a surge has not occurred. ![]() When a GFCI outlet senses a surge in electricity, it’s designed to shut off to minimize the risk of electrocution. Building codes now require the installation of GFCIs in bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms-anywhere near water. In these scenarios, it was possible for the electrical current to surge through the person, thus electrocuting them. Before the advent of GFCIs, electric shock injuries were more likely to occur when someone was standing in water or otherwise in contact with water when using an electrical appliance, such as a blow dryer. While ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlets may be inconspicuous, these are common household items that could save lives. If it’s a GFCI outlet, it might need to be reset. If other outlets are dead, there may be a larger issue. ![]() Plug devices into other outlets in the room to see if they’re working. If not, this is another indication that the problem may be with the device being plugged in rather than the outlet.Īdditionally, if one outlet is not working the majority of the time, other outlets nearby will also lose power. It’s also a good idea to see if the breaker has tripped. On the off-chance that it’s not the electrical outlet but rather a burnt-out light bulb that is the problem, plug something else into the same outlet, such as a blow dryer or a cell phone charger. “If the outlets and switches are not set up the way you want them to be, an electrician can safely and easily reconfigure them.” The device may be faulty rather than the outlet.īlaming a perfectly functional outlet for a lamp not turning on is a common lighting mistake almost everyone makes. “This testing is also an opportunity to determine which switches control which outlets,” says Dan Mock, vice president of operations at Mister Sparky (a nationwide electrical company). Flip this switch and then try the outlet again. ![]() If there is a switch on the wall that doesn’t seem to go to anything, it could very well control a half-hot outlet. This is especially common in rooms that don’t have overhead lighting. The purpose of a half-hot outlet is to allow homeowners to plug in a lamp, turn it on, and then control the lamp from the light switch. Sometimes called a “lamp outlet,” this type of electrical outlet is a little different from standard outlets in that half of it (usually the bottom half) is controlled by a switch on the wall.
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