Okay you electricians

Lawson Cox

Lawson Cox

Well-known member
Went down to the shop to do a little work on Apatchy and my electric drill wouldn't work. It did spin for a second and then would go no further. Tried another and nothing.

It is sort of humid in my shop because it sits in a low spot on the property.

Can high humidity cause a drill/skil saw/ scroll saw etc to not work? Not wet, just humid.
 
Lawson, it may not be the power tool but the power itself.:eek: If dampness gets into the wiring/circuit breaker, etc., that could cause the problem...:( Don't ask me how I know...;)
 
Vic Piano said:
Lawson, it may not be the power tool but the power itself.:eek: If dampness gets into the wiring/circuit breaker, etc., that could cause the problem...:( Don't ask me how I know...;)
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Power outlets seem to be okay. I'll bring the drill up to the house where it is air conditioned :) and let the AC pull the humidity out of it and see if it works.
 
I wouldn't blame humidity. Your trigger switch is probably broken or you have a break in the plug wire (usually where it enters the handle).
 
Since your in a garage your duplex outlets or the circuit breakers for the outlets should be Ground Fault Protected (GFI) to make sure the outlets are energized (not tripped) plug in a drop light, if it doesn't work on the outlet then the outlet or the circuit breaker needs to be reset. If the light works and the drill doesn't then the drill needs repair. I agree the power cords do break to check plug in the drill and turn it on then flex the power cord both at the outlet end and the drill motor end. DO EXPECT THE DRILL TO START AND DON"T BE STARTLED.
 
If the drill has a reversing switch, it maybe at fault; or the switch maybe pushed halfway between foreward and reverse , omo..:confused:
 
Terry said:
Since your in a garage your duplex outlets or the circuit breakers for the outlets should be Ground Fault Protected (GFI) to make sure the outlets are energized (not tripped) plug in a drop light, if it doesn't work on the outlet then the outlet or the circuit breaker needs to be reset. If the light works and the drill doesn't then the drill needs repair. I agree the power cords do break to check plug in the drill and turn it on then flex the power cord both at the outlet end and the drill motor end. DO EXPECT THE DRILL TO START AND DON"T BE STARTLED.
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Maybe I didn't make it clear than my drii, my skill saw, my scroll saw, none of them work. I have power to the outlet. It has been a little while since I have used these tools but they were all working just a few weeks ago. I doubt that they all crapped out on me at the same time.

I'll try blowing some warm air in the vents. I will also bring them up to the house and see if the AC will dry them out.
 
Garage outlets should be on a GFI circuit by code, either a breaker or one of the outlets in the chain controlling the others. It could cause the GFI to trip if it is really humid in the garage. Zeke
 
Maybe if Georgia is a "union" state, they all went on "strike" for higher pay... or voltage or whatever they want to stay happy. :)
 
I guees you get power from the house.Check fuse in house and make sure wire in box are tight.You may have voltage but not good connection.
 
Its a good idea to blow the dust out with compressed air of the electric powered motors in any electrical tool or any other appliance in the workshop especially grinders as the dust can settle in the bearings, switches etc. I usually switch on the appliance on and then blow it out in the vents with the compressed air in my workshop.
 
I'm with Zeke, if you have a GFI in the series of outlets, then you need to find that one and reset, or check circuit breaker, turn completely off even if looks to be on and turn back on check again. If GFI on circuit of outlets and won't reset could be bad GFI, I just had to change one myself. I am not an electrician, just always been curious and along with that comes some education and basic understanding and knowledge, along with owning your own home, you do it yourself.
 
I had a wire on the box at pole it was loose,If you have 220 check both sides.
make sure your tools work in house,a know good socket like your toaster,ect.
I don,t think its your tools but loose wire.
 
Lawson, does this happen on all recepticals or one. are you using a drop cord, if so don't. I can probably fix it if its in the shop wiring. Give me a call.
 
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