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Outlets not working. Breaker ok. There is voltage in wires.

Outlets not working. Breaker ok. There is voltage in wires.


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Old 01-20-14, 01:43 PM
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Outlets not working. Breaker ok. There is voltage in wires.

There are 2 outlets and 1 light switch that stopped working. The breaker is not tripped and using voltage tester it gave positive readings in wires connected to all outlets and light switch. Tried resetting breaker and changing switch and outlet but still no luck. Does anybody have any other ideas? Thanks.
 
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Old 01-20-14, 01:51 PM
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Welcome to the forums!

If you used a "voltage detector" to check for "power," use an analog multimeter to check for 120V instead. You can also plug a receptacle tester into the non-working receptacles and see what that tells you.

You probably have an open or loose neutral (grounded)conductor somewhere in this system. If so, that can create dangerously high levels of voltage at other locations. It needs to be corrected a.s.a.p.

The likeliest location for the open neutral is at the first failed device or the last working device, working toward the panel. See Troubleshooting a dead receptacle or light, Basic Terminology & Other info.
 
 

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