AC Outlet Problem
#1
04-27-03, 10:49 AM
AC Outlet Problem
Ok, I'm a fair electrician at best and I've come across a problem that doesn't make sense to me. I have outlets on 2 different rooms that where outlets are getting power (120v everytime) when testing with the meter. The problem is when you plug anything into the outlet at all it will not work. I've changed the breaker and that wasn't it. The really odd part is that I have the outlets and lights on the same breaker that is wired to my den and the lights work but not the outlets. The oulet in the laundry room was the first to have this problem and I tried the same thing there. Of course after changing the breaker for the den and still got the same result I switched it out for the original breaker. Any help you could give me would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
#2
04-27-03, 10:59 AM
Member
So how are you measuring this voltage? Are you using a digital multimeter?
Buy an $8 receptacle tester, the kind with two amber lights and one red light. Plug it in and tell us what it says.
If part of a circuit works and part doesn't, the problem cannot be the breaker. Are you positive about what is on what breaker? How do you know? Does the 120 volt reading at these "dead" outlets go away when you turn off the breaker?
Are there any GFCI receptacles on this circuit?
When you say that you are a "fair electrician", do you mean you are a fair professional electrician, or a fair amateur electrician?
Buy an $8 receptacle tester, the kind with two amber lights and one red light. Plug it in and tell us what it says.
If part of a circuit works and part doesn't, the problem cannot be the breaker. Are you positive about what is on what breaker? How do you know? Does the 120 volt reading at these "dead" outlets go away when you turn off the breaker?
Are there any GFCI receptacles on this circuit?
When you say that you are a "fair electrician", do you mean you are a fair professional electrician, or a fair amateur electrician?
#3
04-27-03, 12:19 PM
I would have to say fair electrician on the amateur side. I used an Ideal AC/DC Voltage Meter on the outlets. No voltage on the outlets when the breaker is off. No GFIs on these circuits. I installed the wiring myself 2 years ago so I'm positive that this is all that is on these circuits. All wires in the breaker panel are secure. It's all very odd I know. Thanks for the quick response I'll see about getting one of those receptacle testers on my way home. In the meantime any other suggestions would be appreciated of course. Thanks again! 
#4
04-27-03, 01:09 PM
Member
I'm on a campaign to get people to report voltage readings properly. So this is not just directed at you, wasession, but at all readers this forum.
If you get 120 from the one or both of the slits to ground, but nothing between the two slits, then you have an open neutral. If you search this forum for "open neutral", you'll be flooded with information. Or just start with this recent thread.
- When you report a voltage reading, please identify both points that you measured the voltage between. Voltage is only defined as a relative potential between two points.
If you get 120 from the one or both of the slits to ground, but nothing between the two slits, then you have an open neutral. If you search this forum for "open neutral", you'll be flooded with information. Or just start with this recent thread.
