I have done enough of these to where I can usually fix them in short order. First step is to try the sniffer to see if it's the hot or the neutral thats open. If it's the hot,run down all the breakers with a wiggy. Once the breakers are verified it is time to plug a lampholder into one of the "dead" sockets. Have a helper stay there and watch the lamp for a flicker as you go around to each receptacle, working or not, and plug in something and give the recep a good wiggle back and forth. I have a device holder that plugs into the recep and gives you a good handle to wiggle around with, but most anything will work. 9 times out of 10 we will find a loose backstab this way. Usually we get it so fast the customer is amazed, and sometimes shocked that we charge for a service call after 10 min of work!
If it's the neutral, same procedure in addition to checking contnuity from the non working string back to the panel.
In the unlikely event this does not turn up anything, then it's time to map it out as reno does. If we can't figure it out after an hour or two it's time to quote to re-feed the circuit, after determining where it was supposed to be fed from so that section can be abandoned.
Last edited by BigB; 07/08/13 11:38 AM.
