Forum Discussion

Charlie_D_'s avatar
Charlie_D_
Explorer
Nov 06, 2014

Identify power source-UPDATE

Son bought a house that is several years old and is updating outside light fixtures. On the far side of the house is a GFCI that has no power. On a brick column near it is a light fixture that I was going to change. Using a voltage detector I found no voltage. I removed the fixture and in the process 2 wires touched and arced. Testing again the wires showed no voltage. I replaced the fixture and then checked the breakers. None tripped. I checked all the receptacles on that side of the house and found that they all worked. Checked every GFCI in the house and they all worked. Checked all switches and they work on all fixtures.

I am unable to find the power source for the GFCi and fixture. Any idea on finding the power source. The brick column was added by the previous owner. Unable to find any buried wiring coming from brick column because concrete was poured around it. My next step is to pull cover plates on receptacles on that side of the house to check to see if additional connections are added but I would think that the light should have a switch. I can understand that the GFCI may be wired to the in house receptacle on the opposite of the wall.

I have thought of turning all breakers off except one and using that breaker to back feed the light fixture to see if it returned power to a breaker that has no power. Any ideas?
  • Bobbo's avatar
    Bobbo
    Explorer II
    Nov 06, 2014
    BFL13 wrote:
    "I have thought of turning all breakers off except one and using that breaker to back feed the light fixture to see if it returned power to a breaker that has no power. Any ideas?"

    Usually, you turn the branch CBs all off first and then turn them back on one at a time till the power comes back on at that location.

    Or, turn off only 1 branch. If the circuit is still hot, turn that one back on and turn off another. Repeat till circuit is dead. I still like my circuit tracer. I don't have to kill power to stuff in the house trying to find the right circuit.
  • Ozlander's avatar
    Ozlander
    Explorer
    Nov 06, 2014
    NinerBikes wrote:
    I'd say you either need a new voltage detector, or a new operator.

    Something is not right. Even when not hot, you never let 2 wires touch each other, put a twist cap on on all the hot wires, neutral too, when working on them.


    Not really. You can get a spark off of 6 volts.
  • BFL13's avatar
    BFL13
    Explorer II
    Nov 06, 2014
    "I have thought of turning all breakers off except one and using that breaker to back feed the light fixture to see if it returned power to a breaker that has no power. Any ideas?"

    Usually, you turn the branch CBs all off first and then turn them back on one at a time till the power comes back on at that location.
  • NinerBikes's avatar
    NinerBikes
    Explorer
    Nov 06, 2014
    I'd say you either need a new voltage detector, or a new operator.

    Something is not right. Even when not hot, you never let 2 wires touch each other, put a twist cap on on all the hot wires, neutral too, when working on them.
  • donn0128's avatar
    donn0128
    Explorer II
    Nov 06, 2014
    It is likely a previous owner had problems with the GFCI and simply bypassed it. Thats why you had hot wires outside at the light.
  • Bobbo's avatar
    Bobbo
    Explorer II
    Nov 06, 2014
    Buy a Circuit Tracer. Put a Socket to Outlet Adaptor in the light socket. Plug in the tester's transmitter. Take the detector to the breaker box and it will show you EXACTLY which breaker is powering that circuit. I use mine all the time.

    And I second RJsfishin's suggestion.
  • RJsfishin's avatar
    RJsfishin
    Explorer
    Nov 06, 2014
    I'd start w/ getting a new voltage detector,...could have kilt you !!

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