New outlet
#1
10-18-14, 05:11 PM
New outlet
have an old house. a non working outlet has 2 solo wires and 2 more wires twisted together. no wires are colored. using voltmeter the twisted wires are hot 120. one of the others is neutral and one shows 60 on voltmeter ????
if i cap off the 60, the outlet functions properly grounded using an outlet tester. however a nearby outlet shows absent neutral with tester. not sure if these are related.
I am using replacement outlets with 2 white 2 hot and a ground terminal.
pls help
thx!
if i cap off the 60, the outlet functions properly grounded using an outlet tester. however a nearby outlet shows absent neutral with tester. not sure if these are related.
I am using replacement outlets with 2 white 2 hot and a ground terminal.
pls help
thx!
#2
10-18-14, 05:29 PM
Group Moderator
How can a wire have no color !?!? It must be some color.
You are replacing receptacles.
Are you putting in three prong receptacles where there were two prong ones ?
In order to be able to use three prong receptacles you need to confirm that a ground is present. You can use a voltmeter and check from each wire to the box. The hot wire will show 120v. That wire is black. A second wire connected to that should also be black.
There should be 0v from neutral to ground.
You are replacing receptacles.
Are you putting in three prong receptacles where there were two prong ones ?
In order to be able to use three prong receptacles you need to confirm that a ground is present. You can use a voltmeter and check from each wire to the box. The hot wire will show 120v. That wire is black. A second wire connected to that should also be black.
There should be 0v from neutral to ground.
#3
10-18-14, 05:41 PM
Thank you. They have braided fabric insulation so they are all the same beige color.
i am going from 3prong to 3prong.
using voltmeter from the box to -
the 2 twisted = 120
another wire = 0
another wire = 60
i'm in chicago with all metal conduit - i believe the box is the ground.
i am going from 3prong to 3prong.
using voltmeter from the box to -
the 2 twisted = 120
another wire = 0
another wire = 60
i'm in chicago with all metal conduit - i believe the box is the ground.
