voltage present but outlets do not work?

Question

three outlets do not work. All three outlets read 118-120 volts when I test them. But if you plug a TV or even a phone charger, the devices do not work. What's the problem???

Answer 1

Are you getting 120V to ground or to neutral? I suspect you've got 120 to ground and some other reading to neutral. If that's the case, start looking for a nicked or shorted neutral wire.

If the outlets are on the same circuit, start looking for the trouble spot at the first outlet - ie, the most "upstream" outlet. A problem there will affect the two downstream outlets.

Answer 2

Joseph is correct. Almost always when I run across this situation I just find the "first" outlet (that feeds the other two in this case) and find the terminal screws are loose or the wire's ready to break. If the electrician was lazy ( I know I'll get comments about this) and used those "stabs" in the back of the outlets ( which should be banned I think) this is often the problem; they're notorious for losing contact.

Answer 3

Try something sucking a bit less juice than a TV... maybe a lamp w/ a 40-W bulb? Check the sticker or label on the TV/charger to see if they require more voltage than a standard 120 outlet.

Coudl it be the device itself? The TV or phone charger may have gotten zapped in a power surge (maybe lightning hit while they were plugged in), and maybe THEY dont' work, but hte outlet does.

Is there a GFIC button on the outlet? If so, press it to reset it.

Answer 4

Joseph got it. One other thing, if you have voltage across the plug (not to ground, the bottom prong) you have a loose wire at the first receptacle run. It lets slight current for meter to flow, but when you plug in big item, it can't carry the current. Open the box and tighten the wire.

Answer 5

Fuses.