DIY nightmare in effect I was attempting to do some electrical work?

Question

My s***w driver came into contact with the wires in the electrical box causing a spark and now my wires have no power I reset the breaker and still no power am I going to have to replace the electrical line that was burnt and if so how do I that without having to replace the whole line. The light switch in question is in the basement so I have relative easy access to the line all the way up to the light fixture HELP!

Answer 1

Call a qualified professional electrician. I suspect that one of the connections in the circuit opened when you arced the wire. The fix is usually easy, finding it is a problem. That is why the electricians get paid their fees.

Answer 2

call in an electrician.

Answer 3

I have to agree with "Donna", if you messed this up, you are, by definition, not a "Qualified Person" as described in the NEC, and in NFPA 70-E.

As proof, I refer you to NEC Article 90.1 (C).

When you do attempt this yourself, remember that all splices must be done inside a listed box, with a listed cover. The box must always remain "Accessible", and you must be aware of the boxes’ rated volume so you do not overfill the box and cause the conductors to overheat.

Answer 4

Is the line burnt into? You can make a junction by cutting out the burnt and just wire nutting and then taping the new wire and run it to the breaker.

Answer 5

check breaker.....if good then....remove breaker from panel and if u know how run a continuity test on the wire...this will tell u if u have a break in the wires....if thats good then make sure that there is not a GFIC on the same circuit and check to see if it is tripped......if still out then call an electrician...

lic. gen. contractor

Answer 6

A "spark" should not do any permanent damage. If you had a fire, that would be different.

The only thing that should have happened is that the circuit breaker popped off. That's what it is there for, to prevent something bad from happening.

Try turning the breaker off all the way and then back on again.  If you try to turn it on and it springs back to the center position, try turning it off harder and then on.

If you feel that the breaker is on, and there still is no power at the box where you caused the spark, double check to see if you are re-setting the correct breaker.

You didn't say how you are determining if there is power or not. Maybe the light bulb burned out?

Sorry, that's all I can suggest.