No power after replacing an electrical outlet?

Question

I replaced the outlets in our kitchen island for cosmetic reasons. To test them before replacing them I tripped them using a standard 3-prong GFCI tester. Both outlets worked, and were wired correctly. Since this killed the power to the outlets I went ahead and replaced them.

Now, I can't restore power to the outlets and I am wondering if I have overlooked something that I have already checked, or if there is something I haven't checked yet.

I checked that the outlets are wired correctly.

I reset all the GFCI outlets in the house, at least all the ones that I could find. (I don't specifically remember finding one that was tripped.)

I checked the panel, and the subpanel, feeling each breaker individually to make sure none were tripped.

I looked for more GFCI outlets. I tripped them all again.

I rechecked the wiring on the outlets.

I tripped all the circuits in the house and reset them in case one of them was partially tripped.

I tested the circuit with my multimeter and it is definately not getting power, along with other outlets in the kitchen.

The lights all work fine, as they should since I would not expect them to be on the same circuit.

I looked throughout the whole house again for more GFCI outlets.

Now I'm just doing the same things over and over again.

I'm ready to call in a pro.

Any help would be appreciated.

Answer 1

Your first mistake was assuming that the power was "killed" by tripping the GFCIs; all that did was shut off the current to the receptacles "downstream" from the first GFCI on the circuit, so, you were working on a "hot" circuit (or 2, if the house was built after the 1993 or 1996 NEC was adopted).

Second, you probably miss-wired the first receptacle of each daisy chain. Newer GFCI devices are designed not to be able to be re-set after tripping if they are miss-wired. Double check the line/load side connections again (this time with the power off at the panel). If this doesn't correct the problem, you need to call a qualified, licensed electrician before you burn down the house or kill yourself or someone else.

Third, a "GFCI Tester" is designed to be used to trip any downstream receptacles protected by the "line-side" GFCI of a "daisy Chain"; the only method of testing any GFCI (or AFCI) protective device recognized by Underwriters Laboratories is to simply push the "TEST" button. You can use the tester to check for open neutrals or open grounds, and reversed polarity of the receptacles. Any of the above could be part of your problem, also.

Installing multiple GFCI devices on the same circuit can sometimes produce this same result, but normally, only after you have started to test the receptacles after installation.

Answer 2

Call in a pro, sounds like you are over your head.

Answer 3

Call a pro.  Always troubleshoot from the power source out.

Answer 4

Well, I am thinking you may have broken a wire, or a bad outlet. Either one could stop you dead in your tracks. I would pull the new outlets one by one and see if one causes the problem. New gfi are not perfect and I have seen gfi be bad out of the box, or go bad really fast.

Or maybe you have too many on one circuit. Or the breaker has gone bad. (it happens).

Answer 5

How did you hook these up and are they GFIC as well? If so check to make sure you hooked them up on the line side of the GFIC.I have found if I hook up to line and then use load feeding another outlet could not get them to work.I added one near the sink and had to hook to just line side.It trips and cuts power to the outlet so I know it works..Good Luck and please be careful...

Answer 6

Look behind the refrigerator for a GFCI. Years ago the kitchen outlets were all protected circuits and the refrigerator was not on a dedicated circuit.  

Answer 7

If you know for sure which breaker in the service panel turns off power to these outlets, go check it again. Many breakers appear to be in the on position but can actually be tripped. Move the switch to off then to on position.If you can't reset GFCI at this point you probably have a short somewhere.

You'll need a tester at this point.  Turn off power at the service panel, then remove GFCI from electrical box in the wall and pull out so you can see wires. Now turn power back on. Check the GFCI receptacle  to see if it is getting power.The line ( power source ) should be  attached to bottom terminals of receptacle. If it is getting power then you have a short further down the line. It could be possible that you have a ground wire touching a terminal when you pushed the receptacles that you replaced back into their boxes. Turn power off at the breaker again , then remove the receptacles from their boxes so that you can see the wiring. Turn power back on and attempt to reset GFCI. If everything works at that point you had a short. If this is the case try wrapping electrical tape around the receptacles to cover the terminals ( turn off power first ). If not, remove the load wires from the GFCI. At this point it should reset. If it doesn't you probably have a bad GFCI. If it does reset then you have a short beyond it. At this point you'll have to call an electrical.