Jeff Wisnia wrote:
Joseph Meehan wrote:

MJR wrote:

symptoms
1. garage lights won't turn on
2. garage door opener won't go up/down
3. when light switch is off, garage opener sensors light up
4. when light switch is on (lights don't go on), sensors go off
5. Voltage tester shows 104 volts in all outlets in garage


what should I do (besides calling an electrician)?

the problem began soon after the first rains in 6 weeks

the power to the garage is underground conduit from the house, under
the yard to the garage.


For the moment, let's ignore that 104 Volts as I believe it is a
red herring.

Go check the circuit breakers, Is one tripped? I suspect not. Now
check out all your GFIs. One or more of them should be
protecting your garage. They may be in the garage, kitchen bath or
breaker box. It the test and reset button on each one.

If that gets you power, the 104V you found was only a very low
amp induced current and you never would have been able to measure it
without that digital meter you used.



Joseph, I'm usually in agreement with you, but if there's enough
current to light up the opener sensors I doubt that it's being
provided by induced or capacitively coupled current. But, maybe if
they are extremely low current devices there is a possibility of that
happening.

I suspect if they are lighting up the sensors, it is not just an induced
current. Note that I did say IF that (resetting breakers and GFIs) ...
Maybe I should have been more direct with my "IF" ;-)


Nothing to be lost by following the steps you describe, they are
certainly the simplest thing to start with, but I'll still put my
money on a high resistance joint somewhere.

That's assuming the OP's description and our understanding of what he
means are correct, something that isn't always true on this
newsgroup. G
Jeff

--
Joseph Meehan

Dia duit