Electrical problem in the house. Help!!

[biteme]

My sister came in my room when I was gone, turned on the lights and said she heard a popping noise and assumed that the lights had just burned out. I just tried to put new bulbs in. It has 3 sockets. Only 1 is working. I don't know shit about this kind of thing. I assume it's a short. How did it happen? and how do I fix it?

 

[awittyusername]

Check the fuse box for the switch in that room. See if it is the same as the others. If it isn't switch it back.

 

[biteme]

Check the fuse box for the switch in that room. See if it is the same as the others. If it isn't switch it back.

I'm ignorant about this. When a fuse blows, does that mean that the switch in the fuse box actually moves to the other side on it's own? lol And if so, why would 1 light still be working?

 

[awittyusername]

Oh sorry. I didnt realize one of the lights works in the same light. So, probably not a short.

Did you try switching the bulbs around????

It is probably just the light fixture. Most lights are cheaper to buy a new one than to pay to fix it.

 

[Rex]

<Edit> Didn't read properly.

 

[biteme]

Oh sorry. I didnt realize one of the lights works in the same light. So, probably not a short.

Did you try switching the bulbs around????

It is probably just the light fixture. Most lights are cheaper to buy a new one than to pay to fix it.

Yeah, only one of the sockets is working. I should feel terrible for thinking this, but I'm suspicious by nature. How does 2 light sockets suddenly stop working at the same time? I think it may be sabotage. My sister and I had some words the other day. But, also I think she is above something like that, but you never know.

 

[biteme]

bump. What's the problem here?

 

[jerseyart]

Yeah, it's the fixture (since one light is working). Just repace it as it wouldnt be worth the hassle of repairing

 

[biteme]

Yeah, it's the fixture (since one light is working). Just repace it as it wouldnt be worth the hassle of repairing

Thanks. I wonder what caused the popping noise and why it was working fine and then just suddenly went out. I guess a new fixture is in order.

 

[Mandinka2]

Correct but the chances of the fixture PARTIALLY faulting like that seem low to me - the switch in the fuse box you are referring to above is a "circuit breaker" - it provides protection for the fuses themselves in being a general protection for all the appliances in a household.
fixture should be cheap.

 

[RADAR]

Take down the light, theres a junction box mounted where it is more than likely the wiring there is where the pop sound occurred.

RADAR

 

[gonelifting]

Take down the light, theres a junction box mounted where it is more than likely the wiring there is where the pop sound occurred.

RADAR

I agree with "change the fixture" and the above posted by Radar.

Put the light on, then go down the basement and shut the breakers or fuses off untill the power is out. Then take down the fixture and see if the wires just got loose from the wire nut. If that`s the case, just reattatch them and no need for a new fixture. If it`s badly damaged, then of course you need a new one.

Another tip for circuit breakers... When a breaker "trips" or shuts off due to a short circuit, it does`nt go fully in the "OFF" position but gets stuck in between on and off. You must turn it "OFF" FIRST, THEN BACK "ON" for it to go on properly. But I must add that you should`nt be turning a breaker on after a short because it shut itself off for a reason. This is not in your case Biteme, I`m just telling you general knowledge.

 

[theoak01]

id still try the fuse box,I have outlets in my living room that run off different fuses,and if your house is wired fucked up like mine,half the room may be out and the other half still working,so id check that first

 

[gonelifting]

id still try the fuse box,I have outlets in my living room that run off different fuses,and if your house is wired fucked up like mine,half the room may be out and the other half still working,so id check that first

99% it`s not that. There`s no logical reason for it, as opposed to having outlets on different circuits. Of course you can try because it`s very easy to do, but it won``t be the case.

Remember, turn "OFF" the breaker before turning it back "ON".

 

[Roid Pimp]

Your 2 fixtures are suffering from a Subdural Hematoma bro..

Drilling to release the pressure is all you can do..

 

[theoak01]

99% it`s not that. There`s no logical reason for it, as opposed to having outlets on different circuits. Of course you can try because it`s very easy to do, but it won``t be the case.

Remember, turn "OFF" the breaker before turning it back "ON".

ya it def isnt logical,unless a fucking moron built your house lol like they did mine

 

[Illuminati]

My sister came in my room when I was gone, turned on the lights and said she heard a popping noise and assumed that the lights had just burned out. I just tried to put new bulbs in. It has 3 sockets. Only 1 is working. I don't know shit about this kind of thing. I assume it's a short. How did it happen? and how do I fix it?

there isn't going to be a problem with the circuit breaker or any fuses, i can tell you this because one of the lights in the fixture is working. the popping noise that was heard by your sister, was from the filaments in the bulbs blowing due to excessive current. excessive current is cause by a short (in a short current and voltage go up, in a open current and voltage go down.)
i could go more in depth, and tell you why only one of your outlets still works on the fixture, but you said you have no knowledge of electricity, and wouldn't understand what i am saying when i tell you about how the lights are more than likely wired and blah, blah, blah.

you can call an electrician, and have them look at it and replace it for you, but they will charge you anywhere's from $30-45 per hour. what you should do is buy a new fixture (unless you want to pay to have someone fix it for you but you will probably spend the same amount if you just buy a new one) and replace it yourself. it is a simple process. make sure you shut off the breaker switch or pull the fuse before you start working on it, this will prevent you from getting shocked. there is only 120volts, but it will still give you a nice jolt. there should only be two wires that power to the entire fixture, you have AC power going to it, so there is no need to worry about polarity. disconnect the old one, reconnect the new one, test to make sure it works, and then remount the new fixture.

good luck bro. if you decide to do it yourself, and you have any questions, hit me up.

 

[gymrat]

there isn't going to be a problem with the circuit breaker or any fuses, i can tell you this because one of the lights in the fixture is working. the popping noise that was heard by your sister, was from the filaments in the bulbs blowing due to excessive current. excessive current is cause by a short (in a short current and voltage go up, in a open current and voltage go down.)
i could go more in depth, and tell you why only one of your outlets still works on the fixture, but you said you have no knowledge of electricity, and wouldn't understand what i am saying when i tell you about how the lights are more than likely wired and blah, blah, blah.

you can call an electrician, and have them look at it and replace it for you, but they will charge you anywhere's from $30-45 per hour. what you should do is buy a new fixture (unless you want to pay to have someone fix it for you but you will probably spend the same amount if you just buy a new one) and replace it yourself. it is a simple process. make sure you shut off the breaker switch or pull the fuse before you start working on it, this will prevent you from getting shocked. there is only 120volts, but it will still give you a nice jolt. there should only be two wires that power to the entire fixture, you have AC power going to it, so there is no need to worry about polarity. disconnect the old one, reconnect the new one, test to make sure it works, and then remount the new fixture.

good luck bro. if you decide to do it yourself, and you have any questions, hit me up.

werd, is that you?

 

[Illuminati]

werd, is that you?

no.

 

[Testosterone boy]

You have a short. Two of the wires contacted each other and blew out the bulbs that they supplied electriity too.

Find the blackened area in the "junction box" and wrap electical tape around the exposed wires. Insert new bulbs. Unplug lamp before starting work.

Fuck it.....buy a new fixture....that one was cheap anyways.