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I have a dead outlet that I can't quite figure out. It's a GFCI outlet about 10 feet from the breaker panel (in the same room). It is (as far as I know) the only outlet that is dead in the house.

Several non-contact voltage testers, a plug-in tester, and a volt meter have confirmed that there is no voltage at the plug. I have a circuit tracer that sends an audible tone up the wire to find the breaker, but it requires an energized circuit to work.

Is there a good way to trace this circuit in the current condition? I'm hoping to not open the wall any more than necessary.

isherwood
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Elros
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2 Answers2

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There are professional versions of the circuit tracer that power the transmitter with a battery and do not require that the outlet be live. They appear on eBay fairly frequently. Not cheap, but when it's the tool you need...

keshlam
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Important:
The non contact testers only work if you have power.

Turn off the breaker, disconnect the wiring at the plug, otherwise you get false reading.

Then use one of these tracers.
They have internal power (a 9 volt battery) that is used for the Non Contact tester to detect discontinuous wire.

brhans
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DIY75
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