Need Advice on Electrical Issue

[JoeyGee]

My dishwasher quit working on Christmas Eve. I checked it over, and discovered I am getting no power on the line going to it. It's on a dedicated 20a circuit.

The line itself seems fine, from what I can see. Should I look into replacing the circuit breaker? I have, of course, reset it a few times, which didn't help. I took the cover off the electrical panel, and checked the wires, and they are all tight.

[LCHIEN]

take an ohm meter to the circuit breaker.

[JoeyGee]

All I have is an el cheapo multi meter from HF. Will that work? I know almost nothing on electricity, so I don't even know what I am looking for.

I am not about to do anything unless I know what I am doing, but would like to avoid calling a pro if I can. If I am at all uncomfortable with it, I will. I have no problem paying for peace of mind.

[LCHIEN]

yes. It probably has an ohms section and very likely a beeper you can turn on with a button or position marked like this: )))) except going from small to big.

However, if you don't know much about electricity, you'd better have someone else do this for you, because you have to remove the breaker which is dangerous if you don't understand electricity!

BTW, how do you know you are getting no power to the dishwasher??? Are you sure?

[JoeyGee]

I checked the wires going into the dishwasher. I used the muti meter and I used a circuit tester--both of which I tried on a working outlet and I read power on the outlet with both devices.

I checked the wires on the DW while it was connected and also after disconnecting it (turning off the breaker first and then turning it back on to test it).

I do wish it is the DW, I would love to replace it, which I can do. Messing around with electricity is obviously something I can't do, LOL.

[LCHIEN]

sounds like most likely the breaker then.
breakers only about $7-8??? Might be easier to try a new one than to test the old if you don't know how.

[JoeyGee]

Believe me, I have no problem spending the $8 to replace it, I just have never done it. I have read up on it. Basically, I need to shut off the main power to the box, and then swap out the breaker, right?

[LarryG]

Basically, that's it, but you left out one very important step. Shut off the main, test the breaker (and maybe a couple others) to make double-d@mned sure it's off, THEN swap out the breaker.

Although unlikely, since the failure was sudden, there could be a problem with the breaker slot in the panel. You could test this by simply moving the breaker to any empty slot -- no rewiring involved.

And you could test to see if the breaker is the problem by temporarily moving the wire from the DW circuit to another 20A breaker (removing the wire that's currently there, of course). If your luck is anything like mine, this will save you the hassle of driving to Lowe's Depot, buying a new breaker, driving home and putting it in ... only to find out that's not the problem, after all.

[Handy Al]

Is the diswasher the only thing on the circuit? If not check for a GFI outlet that's tripped or another outlet on the same circuits that has power. It could be a loose connection there.

[TheRic]

Remember when you turn off the Main breaker you are turning off EVERYTHING to the house like heat, lights in the room the panel box is in etc. plan accordingly!!

When you go to buy a breaker take the old one with you to make sure you get the correct one. The same manufacturer may have several different types of breakers that do NOT work with each other.

[Uncle Cracker]

Are you testing the DW for power at the wire connections on the appliance? If so, you just might want to check the switch that you turn on to get the DW to run... ( Don't think anybody suggested that yet) If you have power to this switch, then the breaker is OK and the switch is most likely bad. Also check that the wiring connected to the switch is not loose. Make sure the power is off before you do that, and on before you test the voltage.

[TheRic]

Are you testing the DW for power at the wire connections on the appliance? If so, you just might want to check the switch that you turn on to get the DW to run... ( Don't think anybody suggested that yet) If you have power to this switch, then the breaker is OK and the switch is most likely bad. Also check that the wiring connected to the switch is not loose. Make sure the power is off before you do that, and on before you test the voltage.

Are thinking of a garbage disposal? Most dish washers (there are exceptions to everything) are wired directly to the panel box (at least all the ones I have installed, and seen) and normally on a circuit by themselves.

A garbage disposal is wired to a switch, and may be on the same circuit as other items.

[Uncle Cracker]

Are thinking of a garbage disposal? Most dish washers (there are exceptions to everything) are wired directly to the panel box (at least all the ones I have installed, and seen) and normally on a circuit by themselves.

A garbage disposal is wired to a switch, and may be on the same circuit as other items.

No, my dw has a switch on the bar right next to the one for the disposer. It is a shutoff, nothing more. Never had a dishwasher before this one, so thought the switch was standard issue. Not so?

[JoeyGee]

Nope, no switch or anything else on the circuit as the DW. My dad is coming over in the morning to help me work on it--which means LOML will be frantically trying to clean the house tonight. I've told her "He's a guy, he won't notice a thing" but she won't listen. She, of course, assumes he is on a covert mission for my mom to report back every crumb on the floor and stray piece of wraping paper that we may have missed.

Things are really bad now since we have a pile of Christmas dishes to do that we haven't been able to use the DW for, and have had NO time to wash them by hand. Ugh.

Thanks for all the help, I really appreciate it.

[chopnhack]

Please also note that when you turn off the main breaker the bus above the breaker is still hot! Some folks get lulled into a false sense of security thinking the box is safe...its not completely dead so watch your equipment and hands! Also make sure you buy the exact replacement breaker, different company use different bus bars. Also not a bad idea to work ontop of a rubber mat