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IdeZynIt · Mar 4, 2009, 12:52 PM

We need a SureLock on an answer to our mystery:

We have an outlet (not GFI or GFIC) that plays nicely by itself but refuses to share!

If we plug anything into the UPPER part of the receptacle, it interrupts service to ALL the other outlets on that breaker. Mind you, it does NOT trip the breaker, it just stops the electricity from flowing to all the other outlets.

When we plug anything into the LOWER part of the receptacle, NO interruption to the rest on the wiring line, but the power to that one receptacle does become intermittent.

This 'badboy' outlet is located in the dining room. It is on the same line as the livingroom outlets and the kitchen's (there is a GFI in the kitchen, of course.)

If there's a problem with that one outlet, why does it work just fine if nothing else is plugged in on it's wiring line - and- why doesn't it trip the breaker... ever?

What the heck is going on (and off)? Please shed some light on this for us and help us solve this mystery!

~
:confused:

ballengerb1 · Mar 4, 2009, 01:49 PM

While I am a bit mistified like you, I would just cahnge out the outlet and be done with it. Have you opened the box and actually put test leads on the wires to try to see what happens. Inspect the wiring on the outlet to see if pigtails were used or was it wired in series to the other outlets.

stanfortyman · Mar 4, 2009, 02:23 PM

Probably just a bad backstab connection. Remove the receptacle and see if the wire are pushed into the holes in the back.

If so move the wires to the screw terminals, better yet replace the receptacle and use the screws. I bet it's old anyway.

IdeZynIt · Mar 4, 2009, 03:15 PM

Sorry for the delay in responding. I've been swimming through the plumbing columns.

We absolutely will change the outlet and HOPE that's the end of it.
(Well, actually, we hope it's not the end of it... we hope it's the continuation... of ELECTRICITY! :) )

Since I'm such a dim bulb about of all of this, I really am still curious as to why one outlet might be the cause of ALL this yet never trip the breaker and why it functions just fine all by itself.)

Ah, but that education can wait. First things first. Replace the outlet. Will do!

(All kidding aside, thank you ballengerb1 and stanfortyman, for your time and advice!)

stanfortyman · Mar 4, 2009, 04:32 PM

The reason it is not tripping is because there is no short circuit. Simply a bad/loose connection.

ballengerb1 · Mar 4, 2009, 09:01 PM

Please be sure to flip off the breaker in the panel, and then test the outlet with a meter before you remove the outlet. We will be here again tomorrow if you want to update us.