How to Troubleshoot Obscure Electrical Issues in Your Home

Introduction

As a homeowner, obscure electrical issues can be extremely frustrating to deal with. Unlike more straightforward electrical problems like a blown fuse or tripped circuit breaker, obscure issues often require some detective work to properly diagnose and resolve. In this article, I'll provide tips on how to systematically troubleshoot those mysterious electrical gremlins in your home.

Check the Basics First

Before diving into troubleshooting obscure electrical issues, it's important to rule out some of the more common electrical problems first:

• Check circuit breakers/fuses - Reset any tripped breakers or replace blown fuses. Breakers may appear to be in the "on" position when tripped. Turn them fully "off" then back to "on".

• Verify power is connected - Make sure the electrical panel is getting power from your utility. Check that the main breaker or fuse is operational.

• Inspect outlets and switches - Examine all outlets and light switches related to the problem for signs of damage, overheating, or loose wires.

• Test with a multimeter - Use a multimeter to check for power, voltage drops, and continuity.

• Look for GFCI or AFCI trips - Resets any tripped GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter) or AFCI (arc fault circuit interrupter) outlets.

Ruling these issues out first will prevent you from spending time tracking down an obscure electrical problem when the cause may have been simple.

Isolate the Problem Circuit or Location

Once you've eliminated the obvious, it's time to narrow down exactly where the electrical issue is located. Here are some isolation techniques:

• Correlate events with failures - Make note of what appliances, lights or outlets stop working when the problem occurs. This can provide clues as to the location or circuit involved.

• Trip breakers intentionally - Trip each breaker one at a time until you isolate which circuit loses power when tripped.

• Plug problem devices into different circuits -By moving devices like appliances or computers to different outlets, you may be able to isolate the problematic circuit.

• Use a circuit tracer - An inexpensive tracing tool can help identify which outlets, lights and wires belong to each circuit.

Determining the scope of the problem area will make further troubleshooting much more focused and efficient.

Check Connections along the Circuit

Many obscure electrical issues result from loose connections or damaged wires within a circuit:

• Inspect junction boxes - Open up any accessible junction boxes related to the problem circuit and check that wires are securely connected with no sign of scorching or damage.

• Check along wire runs - Follow the wiring and inspect connections at outlets, switches and fixtures for signs of arcing or overheating.

• Look for backstabbed wires - Outlets and switches sometimes use "backstabbing" to connect wires which can loosen over time. Check for this and re-connect any loose wires properly.

• Watch wire nuts for heat damage - Wire nuts at junctions can get damaged from repeated heating and cooling cycles. Replace any that show signs of heat damage.

• Check for nail/screw punctures - Inspect wires for any puncture holes which could cause intermittent contacts.

Even minor loose connections and damaged spots in wiring can cause extremely frustrating, intermittent problems.

Look for Unexpected Voltage Drops

One of the trickier electrical gremlins are voltage drops along a circuit that cause lights to dim, motors to run slowly or appliances to malfunction:

• Consider wire size - Outlets on long wiring runs with inadequate wire size for the load can have major voltage drops under heavy loads.

• Measure voltage under load- Use a multimeter to measure voltage at outlets while appliances or equipment are running to check for excessive drops.

• Inspect connections again - Voltage drops can result from loose or corroded connections adding resistance along the circuit. Re-check all splices, nuts and connections.

• Rule out large loads - Heavily loaded circuits cause voltage drops. Consider redistributing appliances and electrical loads more evenly.

• Call an electrician - If voltage drop problems persist after addressing connections and wire size, there may be more complex wiring issues at play.

Voltage drops require methodical measurement and verification to pinpoint since they can originate from multiple possible points of resistance along a circuit.

Watch for Intermittent Shorts

One of the most frustrating electrical issues are intermittent shorts which come and go at random:

• Inspect wall and ceiling areas - Nails or screws that briefly contact wires can cause intermittent shorts. Check walls and ceilings around the problem circuit thoroughly.

• Consider rodents - Mice or other rodents can sometimes damage insulation and expose wires. Look for signs of nesting or gnawing that may be the cause.

• Spray circuit wiring with water - Spray problem areas with a spray bottle while the power is ON. Sparks can indicate the location of an intermittent short. (Use extreme caution!)

• Use a megohmmeter - An insulation resistance tester can help identify and locate compromised areas of insulation causing shorts.

• Vibrate wires - Gently shake, tap on or vibrate suspect wires using an insulated tool to recreate intermittent contact anomalies.

Intermittent issues require lots of patience. But applying these techniques can eventually lead you to the source.

When to Call an Electrician

Obscure electrical problems often require advanced troubleshooting know-how and equipment. If you've methodically tried the above techniques without success, it may be time to call a licensed electrician:

• For voltage drop issues that persist, an electrician can use high-end diagnostic equipment to pinpoint resistance points.

• For intermittent problems, they have specialized tools to stress circuits and recreate anomalies.

• They can fully troubleshoot old, damaged or improperly wired circuits that are beyond DIY repairs.

• Licensed electricians can make repairs inside walls and ceilings that homeowners should not attempt themselves.

While basic electrical troubleshooting is feasible for most DIYers, don't take risks when dealing with obscure electrical gremlins. Sometimes calling a pro is the safest and most efficient option.

Conclusion

Dealing with obscure electrical issues that come and go at random can test the patience of any homeowner. But armed with the right troubleshooting techniques, you can methodically track down many of these electrical gremlins on your own. Use the process of elimination to narrow down the problem. Check connections and wires. Consider voltage drops. Watch for intermittent shorts. And don't hesitate to call an electrician when needed! With persistence, even obscure electrical issues can be successfully resolved.