Quck answer
If you have no power in your home or a specific electrical circuit, and the circuit breaker has not tripped, there are several troubleshooting steps you can take. First, check if the power outage is affecting your entire home or just a specific area. If it’s only a specific area, check for loose or damaged wires in that area. Next, inspect the circuit breaker panel for any loose connections or burnt wires. If everything appears to be in order, you may need to call a licensed electrician to further investigate and resolve the issue.
If you have checked that the appliance is plugged in, switched on, and the circuit breaker is not tripped, but the appliance still does not have power, it can be a confusing situation. However, the circuit breaker, connecting wire, and appliance are all part of a simple circuit that can be diagnosed using a standard voltage meter.
Step 1
Unscrew the panel box cover and set it aside.
Step 2
Check for voltage at the wire connection terminal on the specific circuit breaker. Verify that the voltage is correct. If there is no power at the connection terminal when the circuit breaker is in the on position, it indicates a faulty circuit breaker.
Step 3
Remove the cover of the outlet without power. Check for voltage at the wire connection terminals on the side of the outlet. Verify that the voltage is correct. If there is no power at the connection terminal, it indicates a break in the wire. If there is power at the connection terminal but not at the receptacle plug, it indicates a faulty outlet.
Step 4
Turn off the main circuit breaker. Disconnect the wire from both the circuit breaker and the outlet. Twist the set of wires together at the outlet box and use the continuity checker on your voltage meter to check the wires at the panel box end. If there is no continuity, it indicates a break in the wire.
Step 5
Replace all covers and restore power after making the necessary repairs.
