Outlets Out

[Michael Krantz]

During a storm, several of the outlets in our house were disabled. Some are in upstairs bathrooms, and some are downstairs, outside.

We cannot find a switch for them in our fuse box. We think there may be a separate switch for these outlets, but we cannot find one. Some of the (working) outlets downstairs have reset buttons, but they only affect those circuits.

My wife says that she toggled all the switches in the fuse box and none of them applied to the disabled outlets. I think I should do the same test, before I call an electrician.

Any ideas?

[Joseph Meehan]

Sounds like a GFI. They are generally found in bathrooms, kitchens, garages and outside outlets. One may control a number of outlets, often in different parts of the house.

Look around and find the outlet(s) that have a couple of buttons (Rest & Test). Press the reset buttons. Pressing the test button should cause a "click" and knock the power out on that and some other outlets, until you hit the reset again.

These help protect you from serious shock.

[John W. Wells]

Huh?! If the outlets are disabled, how can toggling the breakers tell her anything?

--JWW

[Michael Krantz]

First reset, then test. Could I damage anything by pressing them in the wrong order (or pressing either twice in a row)?

[Joseph Meehan]

No.