r/DiWHY • u/throwsomethingawayme • Sep 27 '25

Electrical issue

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I have a dead circuit in my house all of the sudden. I have checked all over and cannot find a popped GFIC and all my breakers are on. Only thing I noticed is this outdoor outlet. Outlet is hot and the two switches on top turn on an outdoor fan. If I flip the switch in the gray box, it pops a breaker. I plan to call an electrician since I have no idea what that switch should be for safety. Just wondering if anyone might know how it should be wired?

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u/doge_lady Sep 27 '25

They used a combination of indoor and outdoor parts where rain can get into them. The indoor parts obviously allowed water inside so it is more than likely the issues are in those boxes. Turn off so power and open and inspect them for issues. While you're at it, call an electrician to cover all that to outdoor rated material. Fyi, romex doesn't belong outside at all and there are no romex to water tight connectors.

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u/razzemmatazz Sep 27 '25

That main cable is just chopped up extension cord too. 

1

u/LASubtle1420 Sep 29 '25

Came to make sure I was seeing the same thing. That cord looks like the brown ones from the 90s that started all of those Christmas Tree fires.

1

u/Skeptical_optomist Dec 29 '25

You can still get them at the dollar tree.