I was trimming the shrubs with an electrical trimmer when I inadvertently severed the extension cord. The next thing I know, all four exterior electrical outlets (all in various locations around the house) are no longer working. What happened?
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Most likely, when you cut thru the extension cord, you caused a temporary short circuit (both wires in contact with the metal blade) and this blew the fuse or circuit breaker that controls all these outlets.
Check in your electrical box, and you should find a fuse or circuit breaker that you need to fix.
If that's not it, another possibility is that these outdoor outlets are GFCI controlled, possibly wired from another outlet that is a GFCI outlet. That outlet may have tripped and shut off the circuit. If so, you will have to find that outlet, and press the reset button on it. You might start by looking in the garage, otherwise try to trace the wiring from the main box.
Check in your electrical box, and you should find a fuse or circuit breaker that you need to fix.
If that's not it, another possibility is that these outdoor outlets are GFCI controlled, possibly wired from another outlet that is a GFCI outlet. That outlet may have tripped and shut off the circuit. If so, you will have to find that outlet, and press the reset button on it. You might start by looking in the garage, otherwise try to trace the wiring from the main box.
