| Problem |
Possible Cause |
Remedies |
| Entire home is without electricity and there are no blown fuses or tripped circuit breakers |
If neighboring houses seem to be in the dark too, your area probably has a local power failure |
Telephone your utility company |
| Your home is the only one in your area without electricity |
Main fuse has blown or main circuit breaker has tripped |
Check your service panel for a blown fuse or tripped circuit breaker. If the main is intact, call you utility company; you may have a downed line |
Some lights on circuit won’t
work |
Loose wiring |
Tighten connections at switch or fixture. Replace switch. Replace receptacle |
| All lights on circuit won’t work |
Overloaded circuit Short circuit, Loose wiring, Faulty Switch |
Test for overload; adjust if needed. Test for short circuit; repair if needed. Tighten connections at switch. Replace switch |
| Light fixture won’t work (check first for burned out bulb or fluorescent tube) |
Defective fluorescent starter. Faulty switch. Loose wiring |
Replace fluorescent starter. Replace switch. Tighten connections at switch or fixture. Replace socket. |
| Appliance or lamp won’t work (check first for burned out bulb or fluorescent tube) |
Overload circuit
Damaged plug
Damaged cord. Loose wiring. Defect in appliance or lamp. |
Test for overload; shift appliance or lamp to another circuit. Replace plug. Replace cord. Tighten connections at switch or receptacle. Test in another circuit; repair if faulty |
| Appliance or lamp won’t work in one circuit but works in others. |
Overload circuit. Loose connection at receptacle. Short circuit |
Test for overload; shift appliance or lamp to another circuit. Tighten connections at receptacle. Test for short circuit; make necessary repair |
| Appliance or lamp won’t work in one receptacle or circuit |
Loose wiring. Faulty receptacle. Short circuit |
Tighten connections at receptacle. Replace receptacle. Test for short circuit; make necessary repair |
| Appliance or lamp won’t work in switch controlled receptacle |
Loose wiring. Faulty switch. Faulty receptacle |
Tighten connections at switch or fixture. Replace switch. Replace receptacle |