View Full Version : Electrical outlet low power
WMorg555
Jan 27, 2008, 06:36 PM
I have an electrical wall outlet that doesn't put out enough power to support things like my vacuum or computer, but power does come through the outlet because a smal lamp will light. I have shut off the circuit breaker until I get the problem fixed. Will changing the outlet for a new one fix my problem?
WMorg555
tkrussell
Jan 28, 2008, 05:46 AM
What do you mean by "low power"?
Low voltage? What do you measure?
Or do you mean that a light will work fine but a vacuum will not due to the amperage of each?
Need more detail.
KISS
Jan 28, 2008, 08:02 AM
Take a look at everything that is on that circuit and give us an idea as to what they are and what the breaker rating is (15 or 20 A). It's very possible that the circuit becomes overloaded when the vacuum is used. It could act randomly, if, for instance, it shared power with a fridge. It could be other things as well like a bad outlet or breaker, but first address what is on that circuit. Real nameplate wattages, VA or currents would help.