electrical question

albee · 2007-08-21T20:02:39+00:00

The outlet in one of our bedrooms is such that when you wiggle a plugin it the power to the plug goes on and off. Experienced that manytimes, but what's odd, to me, is when the power is disrupted bywiggling it, it also cuts out the power to the overhead light/fan,which is operated by the switch at the door.There are two switches by the door, one of which is controls theswitching of some/all of the outlets, but that switch is taped ON, sonot a factor in this. When I move the outlet, with it pulled partlyout of the box, the power goes on and off, so there's a loosewire/connection in the outlet. Question is, based on what's happening,can you tell if it's a specific wire? By pulling (with power off) Ican't tell that one is loose. Or should I be replacing the outlet?Thanks.

Aug 21, 2007 41 Replies

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Nate Nagel 18 years ago

I would use "spec grade" wherever you find yourself plugging and unplugging appliances frequently.

I just went back and reread your post and originally read "bathroom" where you really said "bedroom." So my comment about the GFCI does not apply, and my other comment about frequent usage may not either.

If your bathroom does not have a GFCI receptacle, you likely have a GFCI breaker feeding that circuit in your breaker panel. '88 should be more than new enough that that was a requirement back then.

nate

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Mark Lloyd 18 years ago

[snip]

Originally, this box just held a switch for the attic light. Since this box is located almost directly above the panel, there were 2 pieces of Romex present.

Then, a previous owner has an outside receptacle added. This was wired to this switch box.

Finally, the new neighbor added some wiring in the room below (a garage converted to a room), and ran this to that box. He changed the box to a 2-gang one and put in a receptacle there, and used it to join all those wires (instead of going out and looking for a couple of big wire nuts).

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