wrote in message
ups.com...
:I have an electrical problem I need help solving. I have a light
: plugged into a wall outlet, and two ceiling lights (w/2 3 way
: switches)... which go off and back on again intermittently. The
circuit
: breaker doesn't trip, I just lose of power in that part of the
circuit.
: Today I replaced the outlet, and one of the switches at the
botom of
: the stairs... although both looked fine, other than a little
dirty.
:
: I thought this had solved the problem, but then much to my
suprize the
: table lamp, and ceiling lights went out again. They cam back on
again
: about 10 minutes later, but i've turned off everything wired to
the
: affected area until the problem is fixed.
:
: Tomorow I plan to pull the light fixtures down and check for
any loose
: wires, and possibly look into the circuit box, but to be honest
working
: with electricitymakes me a little nervous.
:
: If I turn off the main circuit breaker does that cut power to
the
: inside of the fuse box, and if anyone has any other suggestoins
any
: help would be appreciated.
:
: Thanks, Tony
:
Yes, the main breaker will kill power to the whole house and the
bars the breakers connect to will have no power on them.

BUT! The Main Break will STILL have power to it! So, don't get
around it and you should be fine. Usually the input side of main
breakrs is well away from anything else and staying away from it
is easy but don't go poking around that area with anything
conductive.
From experience, I'd bet your problem is in the light fixtures
or the wiring though, not in the fusebox or breaker panel.
It would really be best ot have someone who knows what they're
doing in if you think you need to go into the breaker box for any
work. Once you take the panel off, there isn't a whole lot
holding the breakers in place - you could accidentally have a
bunch of breakers fall out into your lap. so to speak, or offset
them so you can't get the cover back on. They won't really fall
out, but you see what I mean I think.

HTH,

Pop