skip to main content

Electrical Wiring

outlet only dead when something is plugged in... ?????

16 years ago

Any suggestions to the following, it has me baffled.

Background - A 120v outlet on our back porch went dead. I tested the outlet and it showed no power, the lines were live though.

First puzzle - there are two electrical lines in the box, each with a positive and negative. I checked them all ; testing (+ & -) from the same line shows them dead. Crossing over and testing a + from one lead and a - from the other lead shows power. It doesn't matter which set, only that it is crossed.

First solution - Okay, I got power, even if it is strange. I replace the outlet, hook everything up and nothing. Recheck the leads and there is power...

Second Solution - I remove one lead from each line and test the outlet - it shows power. I put everything back, plug something in and nothing.... I check the outlet with something plugged in and it shows nothing. I unplug the outlet, test and it shows power. I plug something into the other side of the outlet (the exact one I just tested) - Nothing again.

Second puzzle - I plug anything into the line other than the tester and it goes dead but the tester shows power. (It's just one of those twin leads with a light in the middle). Could there just be a small trickle of power that lights up the tester but not 120V? Yet there is no resister anywhere along the line, how would it drop from 120V?

Before I plug myself into a working outlet, give me some thoughts.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (5)

bigbird_1
16 years ago
There are no + and - wires in 120V AC, only hot, neutral, and ground. How did you test the outlet with something plugged in and it shows no voltage? Did you touch the probes to the brass and silver screws of the receptacle? If so, it doesn't matter if something is plugged in or not. If the cc't is hot, it'll show 120V AC regardless of whthere a device is plugged in or not. Get a voltmeter for proper diagnosis.This outlet is in all likelihood GFCI protected. Check for a tripped GFCI somewhere upstream.
ombligo
Original Author
16 years ago
No GFCI, already considered that. Plus other outlets on the circuit are fine.

I was using + and - just to simplify.

I've tested by inserting the probes into the outlet when nothing is plugged in (shows hot) then while something is plugged in (shows no current) and then unplugged it and tested again (shows current).

I only lose current when something is plugged in.. tried both top and bottom outlet - no difference.
Related Discussions
flat end plugs for lamps to use in floor outlets?
Q
Comments (24)
It might have been better to start a new thread instead of dredging up one that's nine years old, but FWIW there are battery-operated lamps now, but they are still expensive: https://www.modernlantern.com Their styles are all modern, but they do sometimes have more traditional styles in their Etsy store. Don't know anyone who's used one, so can't say about quality, but they are still pretty much the only company doing full-sized battery-powered lamps, as opposed to table-top ambient lighting, and some rather industrial-looking task lighting.
...See More
55 Volts on neutral.....untill something else is plugged in ?!?
Q
Comments (11)
Thought of more questions..... Will a Wiggy even detect 50volts? I can see a "sensitive" meter picking up minute voltages but 57 volts shouldnt be hard to miss. Im not too clear on what is "inducing" that 57 volts. I had originaly thought that the constant part of the receptacle was backfeeding somehow to the only neutral on the receptacle. I dont know if backfeeing is the right word or not. Asked a retired electrician and an electrical engineer and they were both stumped by my problem. Im not sayng you cant be right, but if you could exp[lain a little more i would appreciate it. THANKS A MILLION for responding though !! This is going to keep me up nights.
...See More
Can I plug the fridge into any regular outlet during demo/reno?
Q
Comments (21)
weedmeister and live_wire_oak: Thanks for the excellent advice. ctycdm: we have large pieces of carpet leftovers from our recent carpet reno and thought of using those on the hardwood floor ( upside down so the soft fibers protect the floor even more). Is that okay( I am such a worrier, thinking of flammability etc) or are cardboard sheets/Masonite better? I have to buy the latter. And I have to move the fridge today.
...See More
seek expert on plug-in wax-tart warmers
Q
Comments (7)
You can't imagine what a nightmare happened. I'd started using it in dad's bathroom at BIL's house, and during process of removing the TOO-SHALLOW BAD-DESIGNED DISH to show my BIL, it had gotten SO hot, that my hand tipped it (same as gingerly tipping a bowl of burning soup). ...OUCH - reddish wax (mandarine scented) splattered all over my BIL's pristine white bath-sink & counter. Also ruined the sleeve of my wool top - both inner & outer part of sleeve. I was crying my heart out from the stress. Thing is - there seems to be only: 15w bulbs 4w bulbs Question: Are there 10w bulbs - so that it should still offer a yummy scent, but NOT liquify & cause a horrific mess? How I wish I was conveniently located to convenient stores such as malls or AC-Moore's where people buy these things (as testified on YouTube video's). Whoever lives near such stores takes it for granted that such conveniences are easily accessible to most people, instead of the crap which people fall into online. They should thank their lucky stars, that they easily avoid these constant cat-in-bag crap-bag disappointments. This post was edited by jally on Thu, Jan 29, 15 at 0:33
...See More
joefixit2
16 years ago
The problem is upstream. Check the other receps on the circuit for a bad connection. Plug a table lamp that you have turned on into the non working recep. Then, while someone watches the lamp, go around an plug something into each upstream recep and wiggle it around. When the table lamp flickers, you have found your bad connection. It will most likely be the neutral(white).

Another possibility is a GFCI that you think is reset but it is not. The ones with the black and red buttons do not always reset easily, sometimes not at all. Since this is an outdoor recep, depending on when your house was built, it should be on a gfci, maybe the one in the bathroom?

And a third possibility, are you sure the recep is not switched?

Your test results indicate an open neutral, could be caused by any of the above (including a switched neutral).
dozer
16 years ago
you don;t say what you are using to test with. If it is a neon tester or a digital multimeter, you could simply be getting a false reading where there is no actual voltage but are picking up ghost voltages or local emf.
DavidR
16 years ago
Sounds like a bad connection as Joe suggests. A neon tester or high impedance DMM will often show voltage present if there is a high-resistance bad connection in the circuit. As soon as you connect a substantial load, the measured voltage falls to zero.

Related Stories

KITCHEN DESIGN How to Hide Those Plugs and Switches

By Jason Ball Interior Design

5 ways to camouflage your outlets — or just make them disappear

DECORATING GUIDES 12 Deadly Decorating Sins

Are your room designs suffering from a few old habits? It may be time to change your ways

DECORATING GUIDES Room Doctor: 10 Things to Try When Your Room Needs a Little Something

By Laura Gaskill

Get a fresh perspective with these tips for improving your room’s design and decor

GREEN BUILDING Off the Grid: Ready to Pull the Plug on City Power?

By Jen Dalley //

What to consider if you want to stop relying on public utilities — or just have a more energy-efficient home

HOME TECH Plug Into Home Power Monitors That Pay for Themselves

Stop throwing away money on wasted electricity with help from new monitors that work with your phone or computer

KITCHEN DESIGN 9 Questions to Ask When Planning a Kitchen Pantry

By Susan Redman

Avoid blunders and get the storage space and layout you need by asking these questions before you begin

FLOORS What to Ask When Considering Heated Floors

By Toronto Interior Design Group

These questions can help you decide if radiant floor heating is right for you — and what your options are

GREAT HOME PROJECTS Power to the People: Outlets Right Where You Want Them

By Mitchell Parker

No more crawling and craning. With outlets in furniture, drawers and cabinets, access to power has never been easier

DINING ROOMS New This Week: Proof the Formal Dining Room Isn’t Dead

By Mitchell Parker

Could graphic wallpaper, herringbone-patterned floors, wine cellars and fire features save formal dining rooms from extinction?

FUN HOUZZ How to Survive an Epidemic of Walking Dead

By Becky Harris

Tips to use around the house and garden to prep for the zombie apocalypse

Sponsored

More Discussions

Samsung Frame TV over a fireplace

13

How to place outlets within 24" of a sink (with dishwashers)

27

Where to place outlets in primary bathroom?

11

Globe light fixtures in closets

3

I need a pop up outlet on my island, but they are HUGE!

6