View Single Post
Old 07-31-2013, 06:13 PM   #1 (permalink)
redpoint5
Human Environmentalist
 
redpoint5's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Oregon
Posts: 12,946

Acura TSX - '06 Acura TSX
90 day: 24.19 mpg (US)

Lafawnda - CBR600 - '01 Honda CBR600 F4i
90 day: 47.32 mpg (US)

Big Yeller - Dodge/Cummins - '98 Dodge Ram 2500 base
90 day: 21.82 mpg (US)

Chevy ZR-2 - '03 Chevrolet S10 ZR2
90 day: 17.14 mpg (US)

Model Y - '24 Tesla Y LR AWD

Pacifica Hybrid - '21 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid
90 day: 38.47 mpg (US)
Thanks: 4,359
Thanked 4,515 Times in 3,473 Posts
Electrical Outlet Issue

I recently installed a powerful window AC unit in my living room. It runs just fine, but would trip the breaker if I ran the vacuum on the same circuit. No problem though, I reset the breaker and stopped vacuuming.

One day I came home to find the AC unit had no power, but the breaker was not tripped. My wall outlets have an upper socket, and a lower socket. All of the upper sockets in the room have lost power, but all of the lower sockets still function.

I ran into the same exact problem once before and resolved it by replacing a faulty GFCI unit in the kitchen. (apparently they are protected on the same circuit). This time though, I plugged a toaster into each socket of each of my GFCI units and verified power. I've reset them all too.

Strangely, I get a miniscule trickle of power on the upper outlets, as verified by the faint glow of an LED nightlight. I think this indicates a breaker did not trip, although the bulb may be lit by induced current from other live wires.

Is my GFCI to blame here, or am I looking at a problem with something else? Is it possible to get power on the outlets of a GFCI, but have the circuit to the other outlets disrupted?

__________________
Gas and Electric Vehicle Cost of Ownership Calculator







Give me absolute safety, or give me death!
  Reply With Quote