Half-hot receptacle
#1
09-09-04, 05:23 PM
Half-hot receptacle
I have a half-hot receptacle that, bottom to switch, top on. I replaced it with a new one and now the switch doesn't work with either top or bottom. Seems like both,top and bottom, are now hot because the lamp will work if plugged into either. I assumed I wired it wrong. What should I check for? Electrical scares me... 
#2
09-09-04, 05:34 PM
Member
Very common problem. Do you still have the old receptacle you took out? If so, very carefully compare the old receptacle with the new one. You'll notice that on the brass-screw side of the new receptacle, there is a tab that electrically joins the two screws. But on the old receptacle, that tab has been removed. So get a pair of pliers (with the breaker off of course) and bend that tab back and forth a couple of times until it breaks off. Do this on the brass-screw side only. There is a tab on the silver-screw side too, but leave it there.
