Fried a circuit (Rental house) PLEASE HELP!!!

[lampost]

Shit, I'm so bummed right now. I just started my first, LEGAL medical grow. I'm using a 1000W HPS that a friend gifted me. I was a little worried that might be a bit much since I'm in an old 1930s house with pretty shitty wiring! And I was correct.

Today, I was running the HPS and my GF put some popcorn in the microwave and BAM, everything stops... microwave, fridge, HPS! I go out to the circuit breaker and flip all of the circuits. That circuit will not come back on!!! I'm freaked out! I don't know shit about electricity, but I can tell at this point it's beyond my abilities to fix!

I'm in a rental house so it's not that easy. This is a legal, medical grow but I think my landlord would kick me out. There was nothing in the lease about it, but she may still be able too... I'm operating under that assumption. What do you think I should do?? I'd rather not call my landlord and I can't sacrifice these few plants. Do you know of any things I can do to try to fix it? There's no visible signs of anything fried. I'm thinking about just calling an electrician... Do you know how much it would cost to replace a fried circuit? It's only the one circuit... I've got the fridge on an extension cord to the living room!

Any advice appreciated...

lampost Reviewed by lampost on 01-09-2010. Fried a circuit (Rental house) PLEASE HELP!!! Shit, I'm so bummed right now. I just started my first, LEGAL medical grow. I'm using a 1000W HPS that a friend gifted me. I was a little worried that might be a bit much since I'm in an old 1930s house with pretty shitty wiring! And I was correct. Today, I was running the HPS and my GF put some popcorn in the microwave and BAM, everything stops... microwave, fridge, HPS! I go out to the circuit breaker and flip all of the circuits. That circuit will not come back on!!! I'm freaked Rating: 5

[jakester]

Number one, don't panic.

Second, is your wall plug one with a GFCI on it? Does it or any of the plugs in the circuit have one of these little "test, reset" black and orange buttons on them? Kitchens usually have one on the countertop plugs in case of water in the plug. I bet you just have to find the one that popped and reset it, maybe behind the fridge itself.

If that's not the case, you need to take some time to figure out which breaker is responsible for that circuit. You should have found out before you plugged in. The problem is you had your fridge and light on the same wire. When the fridge kicks on it sucks a huge dip of amperage.

I doubt you did any damage just move the light to a different circuit when you get things figured out. Stay off the washer/dryer or heater breaker if you can also.

[bcals0087]

Hey lampost, sorry to hear about your problem, I too had a few issues with my circuit breaker, fortunately I resolved them.

So in your case, imo I wouldn't call an electrician because they'll charge you an arm and a leg, unless you know someone that owes you a favor, or will do one for you, or do it for cheap. However it's really not all that difficult to fix, mainly just making sure the power is off when dealing with wires (very important; ive never experienced but I wouldn't ever want to), and then just making sure you put wires back in the same spots they were in. and there's only two wires to worry about, a white wire, and a colored wire.
Not hard at all, of course assuming you still have a decent short term memory to remember where the wires go:jointsmile:

I've included a step by step process on how to replace a circuit breaker courtesy of ehow.com (not that I couldn't explain, but theirs might be a little more reader friendly So enjoy and let us know if it works!

It starts at step two, step one is using a radio, but you don't really need to use that, you'll know if your microwave works.
#Step 2

Find your panel box. It's usually in the basement or utility room.
#Step 3

Turn off the main power, if possible. Most panel boxes have a main on/off switch.
#Step 4

Press the tripped breaker toward "off" to reset it, then to "on." If it trips immediately, you either have a bad breaker or a short somewhere in the circuit.
Replace the Circuit Breaker
#
Step 1

Purchase a new circuit breaker from a hardware store.
#
Step 2

Take the panel cover off the panel box by unscrewing the face plate.
#
Step 3

Notice the two wires feeding into the side of the breaker. Remember which one is in which position.
#
Step 4

Loosen the screw holding the white wire first just enough to get the wire out.
#
Step 5

Put a wire nut on the end of the white wire and bend it out of the way.
#
Step 6

Loosen the other screw and do the same thing with the colored wire.
#
Step 7

Pull the old circuit breaker out and snap a new one into place.
#
Step 8

Replace the wires in the same positions as they were on the old breaker - colored one first, white one second.
#
Step 9

Tighten the screws holding the wires.
#
Step 10

Replace the face plate.
#
Step 11

Turn the power to the panel on, if necessary.
#
Step 12

Turn the breaker on. You should hear your radio. If it trips, call an electrician since you most likely have a potentially dangerous short circuit.

[DreadedHermie]

Well, first off be real careful poking around in there. Get into the habit of using one hand only--you don't want to complete a circuit with your heart in the middle... "Sharpie" pens are used by some repair guys, you can push wires around with them (insulate ya from shocks) and you've got it handy for marking stuff.

On wiring--even just going back to the 60's--there should be some actual hardwire-type fuses (unless the whole service has been upgraded). They look like little sticks of dynamite with metal end caps. See any? Those must be replaced if blown, you can't "reset" them like a breaker. You can just check them for electrical continuity to see if they're blown. You may have some glass screw-in fuses, too. Is there another fuse box somewhere?

When you're trying to reset your mechanical breakers, make sure everything on the circuit is off or unplugged. Throw the breaker ALL the way off, and back to ALL the way on. Sometimes they're sticky.

Sounds like it would be worth the peace-of-mind (and safety) to have a pro come check it out. Having an outlet installed with heavy wiring prolly be about 200-250 bux. But you are possibly dealing with an unsafe situation. An electrical fire in an old house is something you'll never forget, if you survive it.

You should not run anything with a motor (includes fridge, etc.) on the same circuit as that thouie. (There's a big 'current draw' when a motor starts up.) You had the fridge, the microwave, and the light + ballast all on the same circuit, huh? You're lucky you didn't have a worse problem...

The more I think about this, the more I think you need to have a pro check you out. You really should have a decent understanding of high-current circuit behavior before you crank up a kilowatt-plus load on a questionable circuit in an old crib. Please be careful. :hippy:

[lampost]

Number one, don't panic.

Second, is your wall plug one with a GFCI on it? Does it or any of the plugs in the circuit have one of these little "test, reset" black and orange buttons on them? Kitchens usually have one on the countertop plugs in case of water in the plug. I bet you just have to find the one that popped and reset it, maybe behind the fridge itself.

If that's not the case, you need to take some time to figure out which breaker is responsible for that circuit. You should have found out before you plugged in. The problem is you had your fridge and light on the same wire. When the fridge kicks on it sucks a huge dip of amperage.

I doubt you did any damage just move the light to a different circuit when you get things figured out. Stay off the washer/dryer or heater breaker if you can also.

Oh holy shit Thank you! I think you may be correct! None of the outlets in the house are GFCIs except the washer/dryer so I didn't even think of that, but I looked around a little further in the kitchen and the one above the counter has one (I never noticed it), and it was popped!! No, I just gotta go flip all the circuits again and see... I'm sure that's gotta be it!

I was panicking a bit!

Anyway, I've decided to plug my light into the Washer/dryer circuit as I'm sure that'll likely have a dedicated circuit. Now I just plant on doing wash during the OFF light cycles (and I'll probably have to throw a green light bulb in the laundry room).... I think that's probably the best way to prevent this shit in the the future. It seems kinda odd how the circuits are routed through this house with one circuit controlling areas all over the house (upstairs/downstairs). They must've re-done it at some point though because it is a breaker box and not a fuse box...

I'll let you know if for some reason it doesn't work....

[lampost]

Well, first off be real careful poking around in there. Get into the habit of using one hand only--you don't want to complete a circuit with your heart in the middle... "Sharpie" pens are used by some repair guys, you can push wires around with them (insulate ya from shocks) and you've got it handy for marking stuff.

On wiring--even just going back to the 60's--there should be some actual hardwire-type fuses (unless the whole service has been upgraded). They look like little sticks of dynamite with metal end caps. See any? Those must be replaced if blown, you can't "reset" them like a breaker. You can just check them for electrical continuity to see if they're blown. You may have some glass screw-in fuses, too. Is there another fuse box somewhere?

When you're trying to reset your mechanical breakers, make sure everything on the circuit is off or unplugged. Throw the breaker ALL the way off, and back to ALL the way on. Sometimes they're sticky.

Sounds like it would be worth the peace-of-mind (and safety) to have a pro come check it out. Having an outlet installed with heavy wiring prolly be about 200-250 bux. But you are possibly dealing with an unsafe situation. An electrical fire in an old house is something you'll never forget, if you survive it.

You should not run anything with a motor (includes fridge, etc.) on the same circuit as that thouie. (There's a big 'current draw' when a motor starts up.) You had the fridge, the microwave, and the light + ballast all on the same circuit, huh? You're lucky you didn't have a worse problem...

The more I think about this, the more I think you need to have a pro check you out. You really should have a decent understanding of high-current circuit behavior before you crank up a kilowatt-plus load on a questionable circuit in an old crib. Please be careful. :hippy:

Yeah, I think I do. I'm definitely not attempting the hot work myself. I reset the GFCI and the circuit is still dead. The circuit breaker doesn't even flip to "off", the circuit just doesn't work. The breaker remains on... I don't know what that means. I mean I may've left a light switch on while flipping the breaker... would that make a difference? I tried to unplug everything, but there possibly was still light switch in the "on" position. I guess I'll try again in the AM.

Do you think I'll be OK running the 1000W on the washer/dryer circuit alone (and obviously running washer/dryer during the OFF cycles)?? I'm going to verify that the washer/dryer is on it's own circuit, but I think it is. I assume a washer circuit is rated high enough for a 1000W.

So, I guess I just need to get that one circuit repaired. I'm guessing that'll still be in the $200-250 range. Yeah, that was pretty stupid of me to not check into the circuit a little better! I'd run my 13-amp power saw on it all the time with no problems, but I guess the timing was just never right...

So, yeah this sucks I'm going to have to take my garden down one day. Even though it's legal I still feel the need to do that. Will the electrician be able to do the repairs entirely from the breaker box? Probably not, I'm guessing he has to come down and inspect the outlet where the huge draw was? I don't know. I don't know what excuse to tell them either. I think I'll just tell them that I had an electric heater or something. I think it's better for no one to know even though it's legal... Is this a pretty quick fix? One day fix to repair a fried/dead circuit? Arrgh! I'm pissed at myself because I could've prevented it by being more careful.

[mainegrown]

care is always important..
and just say you were using an electric heater/heavy power tools and the fridge turned on and *blam* no electricty
what i would be thinking about is WHY you had an electric heater/tools on that circuit in the place you had it..
and i would advise you find an outlet in a better place to run it if possible..

and yes your dryer circuit should be GREAT but you are gonna have to find a way to tap that power.. it is 220v...
and the washer MAY NOT be good cause it could be on a circuit that has OTHER stuff on it..
get a radio and go around the house plug it into ALL of your plugs and see where it turns off when you flip different breakers..
you might be surprised.
and DONT trust the writing on the panel..
mine was ALL fucked up bro.

my advice is look for a 20 amp breaker and trace what it goes to.. you may find one that goes somewhere interesting..

final advice have an electrician come in and run a 20 amp plug box to where ever you want to grow and say you want to set up a workshop and you think that it will trip MORE breakers if you do.. he should be able to do it with conduit and heavy wire for a couple hundred bucks and then you would have a DEDICATED circuit for growing on..
just my :twocents:

if you want more/different advice i will ask my roomie in the AM.. he is an electrician and could give you ideas i cant..
peace

~MG a.k.a. le Maine développé

[mainegrown]

Yeah, I think I do. I'm definitely not attempting the hot work myself. I reset the GFCI and the circuit is still dead. The circuit breaker doesn't even flip to "off", the circuit just doesn't work. The breaker remains on... i think that means you got a dead breaker I don't know what that means. I mean I may've left a light switch on while flipping the breaker... would that make a difference? I tried to unplug everything, but there possibly was still light switch in the "on" position. I guess I'll try again in the AM.

Do you think I'll be OK running the 1000W on the washer/dryer circuit alone (and obviously running washer/dryer during the OFF cycles)?? I'm going to verify that the washer/dryer is on it's own circuit, but I think it is. I assume a washer circuit is rated high enough for a 1000W.

So, I guess I just need to get that one circuit repaired. I'm guessing that'll still be in the $200-250 range. Yeah, that was pretty stupid of me to not check into the circuit a little better! I'd run my 13-amp power saw on it all the time with no problems, but I guess the timing was just never right...

So, yeah this sucks I'm going to have to take my garden down one day. Even though it's legal I still feel the need to do that. Will the electrician be able to do the repairs entirely from the breaker box? Probably not, I'm guessing he has to come down and inspect the outlet where the huge draw was? I don't know. I don't know what excuse to tell them either. I think I'll just tell them that I had an electric heater or something. I think it's better for no one to know even though it's legal... Is this a pretty quick fix? One day fix to repair a fried/dead circuit? Arrgh! I'm pissed at myself because I could've prevented it by being more careful.

but you still have the little problem of WHY the breaker fried!
look to my previous post and you might have to spend a lil more money to BOTH get the breaker fixed and have another one added but it will save you and your house a ton of trouble.. a legal grow is still not covered in most insurance cases! if you burn the house down YOU could be held accountable and that would be expensive and could cause trouble with the law even though the GROW was legal.. burning a house down ISNT!!

~MG a.k.a. le Maine développé

[lampost]

Thanks for the advice. I'm calling an electrician first thing Monday morning. I'll just move everything and take down the mylar that morning...

I think my ballast is switchable to 220V (EDIT: I guess it's 240V). Where the bulb socket plugs into the ballast there is a place for 120V and 240V... so I'm assuming that means it can run on both. I didn't no that dryers ran on a separate voltage! Is that the case 100% of the time? I will try it, I just don't want to fry my ballast... but that would be ideal... then I would only have to pay to repair the old circuit. I don't want to dump to much money here because it's a rental as I mentioned. In fact, I'll probably be leaving after I get this grow under my belt.

Thanks again for your help...

[Rubberbubbler]

Most home's outlets are wired with 14-2 Romex, that supply up to 8 outlets per circuit. ... If you ran 12-2 Romex, up to a 20 amp breaker can be connected. My electrical wire was all 12-2 Romex so I just shut the main off and upped a few 15 amp breakers to 20 amp. Please be careful. If you do not know what you are doing don't do it!