Tester Says Wiring Correct, Multimeter Says Otherwise
#1
05-27-23, 06:05 PM
Tester Says Wiring Correct, Multimeter Says Otherwise
I have an outlet that isn’t working. I pulled it out. I have two black, two white wires and a ground. Plugged in my tester and the two lights indicating correct lit up. I hit it with a multimeter and nothing . . . . so something was powering to get the tester to light up. When I use my probes to black and ground, I get 120v. This place has always baffled me with the electrical. What the heck is going on here? How do I remedy? Both black wires are hot.
Top Answer
05-28-23, 04:34 AM
You have an open neutral somewhere. Most common cause of this is back stab push in connections. Check other devices on the circuit and move any back stabs to the screws.
#6
05-27-23, 11:33 PM
Member
So:
black - ground = 120V
black - white = 0V
white - ground = ?? V
Even when a multimeter may have some % +/- What is the exact readings?
What kind of a meter did you use?
What happens if you put a load between black and ground?
What happens if you put a load between white and ground?
black - ground = 120V
black - white = 0V
white - ground = ?? V
Even when a multimeter may have some % +/- What is the exact readings?
What kind of a meter did you use?
What happens if you put a load between black and ground?
What happens if you put a load between white and ground?
Last edited by d_s_k; 05-28-23 at 12:02 AM. Reason: spelling + adding questions
#9
05-29-23, 10:38 PM
Member
I suggest checking the wires in this outlet, as well as the ones upstream.
Neutrals that are pigtailed together may also fail.
It's odd you have only one outlet that fail; the downstream outlets (or lights) should also fail.
BTW you cannot rely on outlet tester to tell you what's wrong because sometimes there are multiple possible reasons for one symptom and the tester only tells you the most likely one.
Neutrals that are pigtailed together may also fail.
It's odd you have only one outlet that fail; the downstream outlets (or lights) should also fail.
BTW you cannot rely on outlet tester to tell you what's wrong because sometimes there are multiple possible reasons for one symptom and the tester only tells you the most likely one.
