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There are a few reasons your lights may be on, but the rest of your electrical outlets and appliances are not working. The first is that while one circuit blew out, the lights may be on another circuit than your other electrical fixtures. Alternatively, your powerless appliances may be plugged into a GFCI outlet that was tripped and needs to be reset. If these issues aren’t responsible for the problem, you may have dead outlets or a wiring issue. Either way, you should contact an electrician to identify and fix the issue.

Any light bulbs made from toxic materials, such as CFL bulbs and fluorescent light tubes, should not be thrown in the garbage. These bulbs need to be sent to hazardous waste collection sites run by your municipality or sent through a specialized mail-back recycling program. Earth911 allows you to search and find a recycling location near you.

While the National Electrical Code (NEC) does not set a strict limit, a common guideline is to have a maximum of eight outlets or receptacles on a 15-amp circuit. This rule of thumb, which equates to about one outlet per 1.5 amps, helps keep the total electrical load safely below 80% of the circuit breaker's capacity. It is important to consider the power demands of any devices or appliances that will be plugged in, as overloading a circuit can lead to tripped breakers or create a fire hazard. To ensure the safety and code compliance of your electrical system, consult with a licensed electrician.

There are various reasons why an electrical outlet can stop working. You might have to do some detective work to understand whether it’s a problem with the attached appliance, the outlet itself, or a faulty breaker. Sometimes, old age or loose wiring are to blame; other times, it can be as simple as an overloaded circuit tripping the system and cutting power. If you’re troubleshooting doesn’t solve the mystery or repairs, or replacements are required, it’s time to call in the pros.