Check out some similar questions!

smem · Sep 13, 2005, 09:14 AM

I posted a question a couple months ago about some outlets that aren't working in my house. I have done some further investigating and here is what I know as of now. The outlets that do not work are all on the same circuit - with the exception of one which is outside in the backyard. I have tried flipping the switches on and off in the fuse box, which didn't change anything. We have also taken off the switch plates for one of the outlets and checked the wiring, everything looks as it should (to a complete novice). We used a plug in wire tester on each outlet that is not working and they all have the same problem - open neutral... I have no idea what this means and even less of an idea how to fix it. Does anyone know how to fix this. Is it an easy fix? My roommates father knows some about electrical work so he can fix most easy-difficult problems with some direction. Thanks!

labman · Sep 13, 2005, 10:52 AM

An open neutral means the white wire is not connected to its buss back at the breaker box. Although the buss is grounded, physically connected to the earth and its immense store of electrons, the neutral still carries the same current as the hot wire. A break in it, breaks the circuit. In 120 volt circuits, the white is connected to ground, and the black or other color is the hot wire. Not green, it is always a ground.

It is simply a matter of finding the broken or disconnected wire and repairing it. Start anywhere the wiring may have been disturbed or damaged. Since none of them are working, likely the problem is at the breaker box, the closest outlet, or the wire between them. You just have to track it down. Code says all connections must be in an accessible box. That doesn't mean there aren't hidden boxes or wires damaged by nails, screws, drilling holes, varmints, etc.

kp2171 · Sep 16, 2005, 10:10 PM

by varmint, labman, are you referring to the people who remodeled my bathroom (before I owned the house) and made several electrical connections within the wall space? All within 6 inches, but outside, of two separate boxes?!

lazy morons. Er, varmints. =)

labman · Sep 17, 2005, 04:40 AM

I was really thinking of the chipmunks that chewed the insulation off my thermostat wires. Splices outside the box is a serious violation of code. If the sale was fairly recently, I think you can force the sellers to pay to have it corrected. The building department may want a talk with the remodelers.