Electrical Outlets Question: Our kitchen has 4 outlets each 2nd outlet has stopped working.
I've checked for power with a voltage tester.
There is power in the wall leading to the outlet, yet no power on the actual wire. I believe that all 4 outlets are all connected to one circuit, so why would every 2nd outlet be dead?
I changed each outlet, yet there's no power indicated going to the wire, on each of the 3 wire's red, one or black.
Thanks,
Neil
Hi Neil - Great Electrical Repair Question! Check GFCI Outlets
Have you checked to see if any GFI outlets or breakers are tripped? Electrical Codes require that kitchen outlets be protected by GFI receptacles or breakers.
Once you discover the source of the GFI's I would double check to make sure they are wired correctly, Hot in to Line, and Load for the outlets downstream.
As you described the wire colors you may have a 3-wire circuit where the neutral is shared with two circuits, red and black, or there may be another wiring method installed which could only be discovered with a voltage tester.
Also when something like this happens, ask yourself what has happened recently which may have caused this to happen?
Have all of these outlets worked fin in the past?
I realize these a simple questions, however many times very obvious things happen which may be overlooked that become a knee-slapping moment when you realize the cause.
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Skill Level:
Intermediate to Advanced - Electrical Repairs and Circuit Wiring is Best Performed by a Licensed Electrical Contractor.
Tools Required:
Basic Electricians Pouch of Hand Tools, a Voltage Tester and a Multi Meter.
Estimated Time:
Depends on personal level experience, ability to work with tools, work with electrical wiring, and the available access to the project area. Precaution:
Identify the project circuit, turn it OFF and Tag it with a Note before working with the wiring.
Important:
Modifying existing electrical circuits or installing additional electrical wiring should be done according to local and national electrical codes with a permit and be inspected.
This is a testing tool that is a Non-contact tester that I use to easily Detect Voltage in Cables, Cords, Circuit Breakers, Lighting Fixtures, Switches, Outlets and Wires. Simply insert the end of the tester into an outlet, lamp socket, or hold the end of the tester against the wire you wish to test. Very handy and easy to use.
This is great to troubleshoot a problem with outlet circuit wiring, is also used by most inspectors to test for power and check the polarity of circuit wiring.
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Lights indicate if wiring is correct and indicator light chart is included
Tests standard 3-wire outlets UL Listed Light indicates if wiring is incorrect, Very handy and easy to use.
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The end of the tool can be used to grip and bend wire which is handy for attaching wire onto the screw terminals of switches and outlets.
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