Help -- Power out in one area but circuit breaker not tripped
 

I offer two guesses. Was there a dimmer on the circuit. If so the
light likely killed it. If not, it still could have killed a switch or
caused a poor connection to get a lot worse. This is even more likely if
the push in connections have been used. If you have a GFI somewhere it that
circuit got wired through it, that may be the problem.

There also may have been a problem with a floating neutral, that would
have explained the bright light and the fact that it burned out quickly. If
so that is a real hazard and if you don't know what I am talking about, I
would advise you call in a pro and have it checked. If you don't know what
a floating neutral is, you likely should not be trying to find one.

--
Joseph E. Meehan

26 + 6 = 1 It's Irish Math


"Dolchas" wrote in message
om...
Greetings all!

In my living room, at the base of the stairs leading up to the loft,
there are three electrical switches -- one for overhead lights, one
for a sconce light, and one for an overhead fan. At the top of the
stairs, their are also switches for the fan and the overhead light. A
little while ago, I noticed the sconce light was unusually (and in
fact annoyingly) bright. I figured this was a sign that it was about
to blow. Before I could get around to replacing the bulb, the light
did in fact blow.

After replacing the bulb, I found out that the sconce, overhead light,
and fan were all dead. I went to the basement to reset a circuit that
I thought must have tripped, but no circuits had tripped (I turned
most of them off and back on just to be sure).

I'd prefer to fix this myself, if possible, and am wondering how I
should next proceed. Is there some kind of local circuit-breaking
device right in the vicinity of the electrical switches at the base of
the stairs that may have blown before the circuit breaker downstairs
tripped? I have taken the panel off the switches, but nothing looks
to me like any kind of local circuit-breaking device. I do happen to
have a voltage tester which I used when I was trying to diagnose a
problem with my electric water heater, but I have lost the
instructions for this device, and would appreciate any reminders on
how to use this diagnostic tool.

Thanks in advance for any assistance in this matter!

Chuck