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    CrystalStu's Avatar
    CrystalStu Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #1

    Feb 20, 2011, 12:18 PM
    Electrical Outlet Not Working
    We have an electrical outlet that has not worked since we moved in 3 years ago. My husband is trying to fix it once he opened it up noticed the ground was not attached. After attaching the ground the electrical tester sensed electricity but when we plug in the circuit tester none of the lights come on. On the outside of our house we have a plug pretty much on the other side of the wall from this indoor one that stopped working a month ago. We believe they run on the same gif.

    Any suggestions?
    donf's Avatar
    donf Posts: 5,679, Reputation: 582
    Printers & Electronics Expert
    		  
    #2

    Feb 20, 2011, 01:11 PM

    OK,

    You posted the term "gif", to me that is description of a specific graphic data file. :)

    The term you wanted is "GFCI", which stands for Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter.

    All outside receptacles are required to be protected by GFCI either a GFCI receptacle or a GFCI Circuit Breaker.

    If the failing circuit goes through the GFCI protected receptacle first and then continues to the inside receptacle, then it is very possible that whoever installed the GFCI receptacle did so incorrectly.

    On the face of the outside receptacle there should be a reset button. Press that.

    If that receptacle is controlling the failing receptacle, that should take care of the problem.

    If it does not, then please consider calling a licensed electrician to straighten out the wiring.
    hkstroud's Avatar
    hkstroud Posts: 11,929, Reputation: 899
    Home Improvement & Construction Expert
    		  
    #3

    Feb 20, 2011, 01:24 PM

    If you suspect that the outlet could be on a GFI circuit try resetting the GFI.

    electrical tester sensed electricity
    I suspect that you were using a no contact voltage sensor, the pencil like device. If that is correct and when you plug something into the outlet and it does not work, that would indicate a loose neutral (white) wire somewhere. The ground wire does not affect the operation of the outlet.
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