Is there a way to find an electrical junction box in the wall?

Question

I have a circuit with 4 outlets. The last two outlets have suddenly stopped working.I used a meter to determine that power is getting out of the second outlet - but it is not getting to outlet 3. I believe this means there is a junction box somewhere in the wall that I can't find. Is there some sort of device I can use to attach to the end of the wire to trace where it goes?

Answer 1

All junction box's are suppose to be in the attic with a cover plate on them. Some times they'll jump off a circuit in the middle of a run because it's easier then running a new line. I'd look in the attic over the wall and see if there is anybox'ss or extra lines in or out.



ponygirls husband

8 years remodeling

Answer 2

I concur with the submission by "C". Definitely check adjoining rooms. I have noticed the attic mentioned as a possibility for a j-box. Depending on area of the country and age of the house, the crawlspace under the house (if any) is also a possibility.



If no luck with any of the other suggestions, look into the following:

Measure the distance (along the wall) between the last working receptacle and the first dead one. If the house was built within the last 25 years or so, there should be no more than 12 feet between them (per National Electrical Code). If they are within this specification, then it is unlikely that you have a buried box (although I have seen it before). If they are not within this spec. then it is highly likely that you do.



It is not exact, but there is a method that will usually locate the buried box. Measure the height to the center of the other receptacle boxes in the room. Take a good straight-edge (a 4 ft level works great) along the wall, at that height, and look for a possible bulge in the wall. If you do indeed have a buried box, it will usually show up this way.



One other possibility that I have not seen mentioned yet. Do you have, or had, a rat/mice problem? Rodents just love to chew on NM wire (until it kills them, of course). If this is possible, you may be running a new wire.

Answer 3

finding junction box in the wall is not easy since there's no equipment that can detect a junction box the only equipment available this time is a stud finder that includes an a powerline detector( check itout in home depot) but i will tell you this equipment will not gives you an accurate reading on what they detect.My advice to you is check that 4 outlet i mean pull out the 4 outlet away from the box in the wall then check one by one how many wires hookup on each outlet so that you have an idea if this 4 outlet was in the same line or breaker you'll never know the outlet no.3 and 4 is not hook up the same line at the outlet 1 and 2 that iswhy no power on it go back to the breaker box bring all the breaker into OFF position then put all back ON don't just believe what you see in the breaker box because some breaker will locks up one overload or got short and its just look like its ON but its not so,try to do what i say then go back to that outlet that no power before then put your tester in there let us see if it works now.if still not working then there's still a chance that either theres a light or another outlet is not working too it is very rare that 1 breaker holding only 2 switch specially in the bed room area mostly this will be hook up together with the light switch check the switch too cuz I got a tenant complaining the same problem as you have but he screwed up the 3 wire connection in the switch since he was changing it with a dimmer he unhook 1 wire from switch and he make it as a ground wire then since he cannot figure out anymore why the 2 outlet in hes room is not working anymore then he start complaining and he never tell what he did until i notice that the switch was change.So, in your case,i dont know if it the same just try what i say hope it will solve.Good Luck...

Answer 4

Junction Box In Wall

Answer 5

This Site Might Help You.



RE:

Is there a way to find an electrical junction box in the wall?

I have a circuit with 4 outlets. The last two outlets have suddenly stopped working.I used a meter to determine that power is getting out of the second outlet - but it is not getting to outlet 3. I believe this means there is a junction box somewhere in the wall that I can't find. Is there some...

Answer 6

Most old junction boxes were made of metal. Steel, to be precise, and lots of it. That much metal ought to show up on a magnetic stud finder, or a metal detector.



The wires usually go in a straight line, more or less, with only a few turns, so wave it around near the height of the two outlets. If you get nothing, they probably go up, or down. You might find the box in plain view somewhere in the attic or basement if you have those.



You might also check for light switches. Aside from the fact that wires often run near them, some houses will have a light switch to control the electrical sockets. if you never bother using them, they're easy to forget about.

Answer 7

yes there is a toner you can attach to the wire leaving the second box and follow the wire through the wall. However these are not very reliable and it is almost an exact science to use them. Although I own 2, they are usually the last resort.



Depending on the age of your wiring the power can travel through light switches and light fixtures.



If you want a toner, look for progressive electronics or Fluke. Both companies make good toners and both are available at local electrical supply houses.

Answer 8

shut off the breaker for that circuit.... find every device shut off from that circuit, look in adjacent rooms, above/below/side... check the devices closest to the dead receptacle, including the neutrals and grounds....



the wire could have been run to the light and then back to that receptacle....



all wire connections must be done in boxes and all boxes must be accessible, so there is no hidden box... keep looking



its a bad connection hot or neutral, like a loose wire nut or loose screw, those push in types give problems, it could be the receptacle is bad, swap em'



a broken wire in the wall is about 0.1%

Answer 9

If you cant locate the box because it is in the wall I would run a new wire rather than bust a hole in the wall to fix an illegal box. Have you looked for external runs or was the house wired during original construction in which case it would be hard to trace internal runs?

Answer 10

It's illegal to bury a J-box with no access. Check the connections in the box with the last working receptacle. Chances are there is a loose connection in that box. Hope this helps.

Answer 11

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Try checking in the ceiling light or attic

You could take the outlet out of the wall, check the wiring at the outlet. You just have s loose connection at one or more outlets. GL!

Answer 12

You shouldn't have a junction box in the wall,try checking your switch's they could be your problem