I have an outlet that suddenly failed. I tested it with my multimeter and I got a reading of about 18-20 volts, where it should be about 120. Why would this happen? (nothing else "strange" has occured, all the outlets near it are fine etc.) Where is the best place to start fixing this? I have no idea!
2007-08-16 08:17:57 · 7 answers · asked by Sparky 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
First check the breaker then check out to see if it is in parallel with a GCI outlet these are located normally near a water source like a sink, tub, lavatory, or possibly outside. This may be tripped just reset all outlets your power should be restored.
2007-08-16 08:30:48 · answer #1 · answered by harlanhaire 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Somewhere along the way you lost the neutral side of the circuit or the outlet may have just went bad is this outlet a GFCI outlet by some chance it is I will tell you it has gone bad and needs replaced these you find in kitchens and bathrooms or laundry areas where water is being used.
Sometimes these can be reset but when they will not reset replace it with the same type it is there for your safety.
2007-08-16 15:28:43 · answer #2 · answered by dadcat00759 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Check and see if the outlet(if it is GFCI) or the breaker has tripped. If resetting these does not do the trick, then there is a short or open in the circuit to itself through a load or to ground, stealing power and costing you money.
If you know how to use a meter energized you could check the breaker on the line side and see if power is available there in full. If you don't know what you are doing, get an electrician. You could wind up dead or disabled permanently trying to do this yourself if you don't understand what you are doing.
Be darn careful....and I think you are probably a novice or you would not be asking us this here. Get an electrician!
2007-08-16 15:45:21 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
You didn't say where you checked it the outlet or the wiring itself, I am just guessing you checked it at the outlet and if you did you need to shut off the breaker for that outlet and replace it with a new one and take another reading.
Ps. If you are checking it threw the outlet and it has a short in it you will get a false reading.
2007-08-16 15:28:07 · answer #4 · answered by Larry M 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Buy one of the things at the link below. Its a great - and inexpensive - way to test any electrical outlet that is acting up. And if you ever replace an outlet use it to make sure you did it right.
http://www.acmehowto.com/howto/homemaintenance/electrical/outlettest.php
2007-08-16 16:23:38 · answer #5 · answered by Hex92 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Pull the outlet and check for broken or burnt wires.
Test the incoming hot wire for correct V.
The outlet may be bad.
2007-08-16 15:26:56 · answer #6 · answered by ed 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Check your meter setting if it has one. You could be set too high
And as the first guy said. Check the voltage at the wire itself where it come into the outlet box
2007-08-16 15:29:18 · answer #7 · answered by J S 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋