View Full Version : Testing a outlet
pastor1189
Jun 22, 2014, 09:07 AM
MultiMeter AC setting. Put the red probe in the right slot and the black in the left slot. Got a reading of 1. Then put the black lead into the oval slot and got a reading
Of 1.
Do you think it's the receptacle?
donf
Jun 22, 2014, 12:29 PM
You got a reading of 1 volt? No at this point I do not believe it s the receptacle. If you CA approximate the mid point of the circuit, between the failing receptacle and the circuit breaker, test a that point and then work your next test point in either direction until you isolate the failure.
pastor1189
Jun 23, 2014, 03:36 AM
Thanks don. The outlet in the bedroom has a conduit with just two wires. The pipe just ends there. The tester on the bare wires show 1-5
Volts. All the other outlets in the house works.
donf
Jun 23, 2014, 11:34 AM
If there are only two wires to the receptacle, then that receptacle is on the end of the branch circuit. What is on the rest of the circuit?
Do you know which circuit breaker controls that circuit? If so, have you tried to reset the breaker. Sometimes a breaker will trip even though the handle will appear to be in the "On" position the breaker is off.
Try pushing the handle as far to the off position as possible and then switching it back on.
pastor1189
Jun 23, 2014, 11:45 AM
I will try resetting the breakers. The rest of the circuit is working.
smearcase
Jun 23, 2014, 11:55 AM
Pastor, What range of voltage is the multimeter set for? Could you actually be reading between 100 and 150 volts maybe?
What happens if you plug in just a regular lamp?
pastor1189
Jun 23, 2014, 01:43 PM
Just no power at all. Tried various items electric razor lamp, meter is acv
750 -200 just on the bare wires themselves only showed 1-5 volts
ma0641
Jun 23, 2014, 02:36 PM
If it is a Harbor freight tester, the voltage switch is 0-200 and 0-750. Default is 1 volt for continuity check. No voltage to the outlet.
pastor1189
Jun 23, 2014, 03:25 PM
46180 Yes it is a harbor freight item set on acv 750-200
ma0641
Jun 23, 2014, 05:25 PM
Look at your setting switch. It is EITHER 0-200 or 0-750.
pastor1189
Jun 24, 2014, 03:32 AM
Meter show the rest of the outlets at 226-220 volts. There is no voltage
In these two wires. I do not know why?
pastor1189
Jun 24, 2014, 03:47 AM
Put a nightlight last night in the outlet. At 2 A.M. it came on.
Now the outlet suddenly has power. Reads 120 Volts. Must be something loose
Somewhere?
ma0641
Jun 24, 2014, 10:16 AM
Pull the outlet and check the wires. If they are stabbed in the back, that is possibly the problem. Rewire using the screw terminals.
ma0641
Jun 24, 2014, 10:17 AM
Meter show the rest of the outlets at 226-220 volts. There is no voltage
In these two wires. I do not know why?
I hope not!! 120-126 would be logical.