When there’s a power outage in a Detroit area neighborhood, DTE Energy crews are usually busy restoring service. But if the power went out in one room of your home and everything else works normally, you should investigate. This guide can help you determine the cause of a partial outage in your home and the best way to restore electricity.
How to Fix a Power Outage in One Room
It’s possible to lose power in a single electrical outlet or area of your house. Use this checklist to see if it’s a quick fix or a more serious concern requiring a professional electrician.
Check the Circuit Breaker
Your first stop during a mini-blackout is the electrical service panel. Also known as the breaker box, this panel sends electricity to multiple circuits in your home. Various outlets and appliances may share a circuit or have their own. When a circuit is overloaded, its breaker shuts down power for safety, preventing overheating and the risk of fire. For example, your air conditioning or heat pump can trip a circuit breaker if there’s a problem with the motor and it’s working harder than it should.
Check the appropriate breaker if the power went out in one room. If the breaker was tripped, the switch displays a red or orange marker and shifts to the middle position between “on” and “off.” To reset it, flick the switch to “off,” then to “on.” A breaker that trips frequently could indicate that your electrical panel needs replacing to handle your power load.
Older homes may have a fuse box containing glass tubes that manage the flow of electricity. If the current’s too high, the fuse will blow to interrupt power. You can restore power by replacing the fuse.
Reset the GFCI Outlet
Some outlets have a ground fault circuit interrupter that cuts off electricity if there’s a power surge to reduce the risk of electric shock. GFCI outlets are usually found in bathrooms, kitchens, garages and laundry rooms where electricity and water can mix. These types of plugs have buttons marked “test” and “reset.”
If something plugged into a GFCI outlet doesn’t turn on, check if the “reset” button is raised compared to the “test” button. This means the outlet is tripped and needs to be reset. Unplug anything connected to the outlet and press the “reset” button until it clicks. If you’re still not getting power, the outlet may be faulty and need replacing.
Sometimes, a tripped GFCI outlet affects other outlets on the same circuit. If you have a problem with one plug, check if a nearby GFCI outlet needs resetting.
Are Partial Power Outages Dangerous?
In most cases, when the power is out in only one room, it’s a tripped breaker or GFCI receptacle that’s doing its job. But if you’ve checked these safety devices and still don’t have power, there may be a more serious issue. Defective electrical components or loose or damaged wires can disrupt your power and be hazardous.
Unresolved electrical problems can lead to overheating, damage to appliances, electric shock and fires. If you have a power outage in one room and aren’t sure why, find a Detroit area electrician to safely diagnose and repair the problem.
