Lighting, Light Fixtures, Ceiling and Exhaust Fans - Outlet stopped working
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murphy5111
08-25-05, 05:24 AM
Hi,
I had an outlet in the kitchen that stopped working. I pressed the reset button on both GFI outlets along the counter and it didn't help. So, I got out my circuit tester and it read that the hot and ground were reversed. Just for the hell of if, I left the circuit tester in and pressed the reset button again on the GFI outlet nearest this outlet while the tester was still in the "broken" outlet. When it came back it, now the tester reads "correct" and the outlet works. I had hit that reset button about 4 or 5 times previously before testing and the outlet didn't work. Should I be concerned? Thanks. (sorry I put this in the wrong section)
I had an outlet in the kitchen that stopped working. I pressed the reset button on both GFI outlets along the counter and it didn't help. So, I got out my circuit tester and it read that the hot and ground were reversed. Just for the hell of if, I left the circuit tester in and pressed the reset button again on the GFI outlet nearest this outlet while the tester was still in the "broken" outlet. When it came back it, now the tester reads "correct" and the outlet works. I had hit that reset button about 4 or 5 times previously before testing and the outlet didn't work. Should I be concerned? Thanks. (sorry I put this in the wrong section)
murphy5111
08-25-05, 05:31 AM
Also,
It is not backstabbed and I can still sometimes recreate the reversed problem if I reset it with the tester in the outlet. I looked inside and all wires are attached. One wire is notcompletely under the screw but doesn't seem lose. It looks like a white wire and it is the second one down on the left.
It is not backstabbed and I can still sometimes recreate the reversed problem if I reset it with the tester in the outlet. I looked inside and all wires are attached. One wire is notcompletely under the screw but doesn't seem lose. It looks like a white wire and it is the second one down on the left.
John Nelson
08-25-05, 08:46 AM
Hot/ground reverse is always a false indication of an open neutral. You have an intermittently open neutral. Check the various boxes in the area for good connections of the white wires (with the breaker off of course).
murphy5111
08-25-05, 01:08 PM
Thanks John,
I can't seem to find a loose wire on the circuit. I did find that the GFCI tester will not trip the GFCI outlet on the circuit. Also, the outlet with the problem does have two white wires on the left and I believe two black on the right. Not sure if that is ok or not. Please let me know what you think. Thanks.
I can't seem to find a loose wire on the circuit. I did find that the GFCI tester will not trip the GFCI outlet on the circuit. Also, the outlet with the problem does have two white wires on the left and I believe two black on the right. Not sure if that is ok or not. Please let me know what you think. Thanks.
John Nelson
08-25-05, 02:29 PM
Look harder and more places for the bad connection. Remake connections even if they look good. If all else fails, spend $15 to replace the GFCI.
murphy5111
08-25-05, 03:51 PM
Ok,
I replaced the GFCI because I couldn't find any loose wires. After installing the new GFCI outlet, the reset button will not stay in although other outlets will work. I'm at a loss here. Thanks again.
I replaced the GFCI because I couldn't find any loose wires. After installing the new GFCI outlet, the reset button will not stay in although other outlets will work. I'm at a loss here. Thanks again.
joed
08-25-05, 04:47 PM
Check your 'line' 'load' connections. They could be reversed.
murphy5111
08-25-05, 06:07 PM
Thanks Guys,
I had put the wires back on the same exact way they were before but the line load wires must have been mixed up. Now the GFI receptacle works as well as the outlet that is the last on the circuit (which is the one that started this whole mess).
I had put the wires back on the same exact way they were before but the line load wires must have been mixed up. Now the GFI receptacle works as well as the outlet that is the last on the circuit (which is the one that started this whole mess).