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domdogg123 t1_iuf2434 wrote

Reply to comment by [deleted] in Lights dimmed and the electrical circuit is dead by [deleted]

I would use a multimeter to see what kind of voltage you have at the GFCI & at the lights that don't work. It's possible a short is diverting enough power that there isn't enough voltage left on the circuit to turn the lights on.

This sounds serious enough for professional help if you can't get it tracked down in short order.

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[deleted] OP t1_iuf5ck3 wrote

[deleted]

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Acrobatic-Secret374 t1_iuj64cv wrote

It seems, (from the comments I have read,) that you already have a working knowledge of the likeliest of problems.

Calling an electrician is certainly the best option.

To continue DIY, you have to make sure you get the proper test equipment and gain at least a basic familiarity of what the readouts say.

Based on your description of the problem, the most frequently suggested problem of a loose connection is very likely the issue.

When a connection weakens, the volts have to increase to cover for that loss. If the amps don't break a breaker/fuse and the amps don't go over the total load and it never faults to gound, you can have issues where lights dim and circuits act funny but not in a way you would expect a failure as a homeowner (grew up with an electrical engineer as a father in a house he owned)

You very likely have a weak connection in a part of the circuit that is rarely serviced. Loose nut, or something similar.

To solve it without test equipment... Shut off all power to the house and check everything. Tighten everything down a smidge and turn it on again to see if it changes.

I would bet several nuts aren't as tight as others and are causing the issue.

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