When you plug a cord into an outlet, you expect it to power your computer, television or other devices. Of course, like anything else in your house, an electrical outlet isn’t going to last forever. It can also be vulnerable to other issues that render it unable to work either temporarily or permanently.
A Fuse or Breaker Has Blown or Tripped
Perhaps the easiest explanation for why an outlet has stopped working is that a fuse blew or a circuit breaker was tripped. This happens when there is too much current going through the fuse or circuit at once. Instead of allowing damage to your computer, television or other items, the outlet will be rendered incapable of providing any electricity at all. You can determine if this is the issue by looking at your fuse box or circuit breaker to see if anything is off.
There Is a Loose Connection
An outlet is powered by wires that are connected to the electrical panel itself. If there is a loose connection at either end, it will make it difficult or impossible for the outlet to work like it should. Although you can check for loose wires yourself, make sure that the power to the home is off before you do anything.
Even if an outlet isn’t working, it doesn’t mean that the wire isn’t live or otherwise capable of causing harm. A voltmeter or similar device can be used to ensure that the power is truly out to that wire before you touch it or come too close to it.
The Outlet Is Burnt Out
There is a significant amount of current that passes through an outlet on a regular basis. Over time, it can literally lead to a small fire that causes the outlet to melt and suffer too much damage to work properly. You may notice a burning smell or a melted plastic smell behind the outlet long before this happens. Even if it’s just caused by an aging outlet, it’s important to determine the source of the smell to ensure that you don’t have something more serious going on.
A GFCI Has Gone Off
Most outlets come with a ground fault interrupter that can activate when a short is detected. Typically, the GFCI will go off when there is water near the outlet, which means that this may be more likely to occur in the bathroom or kitchen. You may also experience this type of issue in a basement, attic or garage where moisture also tends to collect.
The Slots Are Too Worn
Cords that are plugged into the outlet are often made of metal that will scrape against the slots when they are placed into the outlet. Over time, damage will accumulate to the point where you simply can’t plug anything into it. At this point, your only option is to replace the outlet with a new one. Fortunately, most outlets only cost a few dollars and a few minutes to replace.
Call Mister Sparky for Help Today
If your outlets are working properly, you can call Mister Sparky to fix the problem in a timely manner. In addition to fixing your outlet, we may be able to diagnose other issues that may have led to the outlet’s failure or that may increase the risk of future problems.