Ask Experts Questions for FREE Help !
Ask
    easyrider76's Avatar
    easyrider76 Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #1

    Aug 20, 2006, 04:48 PM
    Problem with grounded neutral.
    I have an exterior GFCI receptacle that failed. I bought a new GFCI to replace this one. When I opened the outlet box, I discovered that the ground was tied both to the ground screw on the receptacle as well as the neutral plate. I thought I would correct this with the new GFCI receptacle, but ran into issues. The entire circuit did not work unless I connected ground to neutral at this receptacle. There are 4 terminals on this circuit, an exterior light, and interior ceiling fixture (both on wall switches), the exterior receptacle I was replacing and an interior receptacle. The GFCI does not feed any other terminal on this circuit. Both switches are in a single box, and the feeder line to the GFCI receptacle is also in this junction box. The interior receptacle was tied in from the GFCI source. The line to the interior ceiling fixture is old 2 conductor Romex with no ground. All other wires in the switch junction box are Romex with ground. The GFCI receptacle, and the two switches are wired parallel to each other. The wiring in the junction box is fine, i.e. the grounds are tied together, the neutrals are tied together, and the source hot is tied to hots that go to the switches and to the GFCI receptacle.
    I would like to know what the cause of the behavoir I am seeing is. Is it an open neutral? How would this problem be fixed? Thanks.
    tkrussell's Avatar
    tkrussell Posts: 9,659, Reputation: 725
    Uber Member
    		  
    #2

    Aug 21, 2006, 02:34 AM
    Sure sounds like an open neutral in the circuit. The only way to find this is to open each box as you follow the circuit from the panel,and check the wiring and connections until you find the open neutral.
Not your question? Ask your question View similar questions
 

Question Tools Search this Question
Search this Question:

Advanced Search

Add your answer here.


Check out some similar questions!

Grounding Bar vs. Neutral Bar? [ 14 Answers ]

Hello all. I have extended the wires from an unused 240 outlet to the backyard for a spa via a sub-panel. I also hooked up a new grounding electrode near it to avoid having to run a fourth wire all the way back to the main panel. This fourth wire goes to the small grounding bar in the sub-panel...

Install new ground wire for non-grounded receptacles [ 5 Answers ]

I am planning on running grounds to my upstairs plugs that are currently K&T with the two hole groundless plugs. Question is, can I run several of the grounds into a centrally located j-box and then just run one larger ground back to the panel? I can't imagine running a separate wire for...

Hot neutral [ 6 Answers ]

Very confused as to way the breaker does not trip if I have a hot neutral. We had a heated water bowl for the houses and the water beencame live. 110 to the neutral.So way did the breaker not trip. Stan

Outlets(receptacles) not grounded... what to do? [ 4 Answers ]

I embarked on a project to replace all the 15amp duplex wall receptacles in my living room yesterday because I wanted white outlets instead of the black ones that were installed. So I turned off the power and started to swap them out. They are 15amp duplex, 125-volt u-grounded receptacles. Much to...

Open Neutral [ 2 Answers ]

I need some expert assistance... I think that I have an open neutral on the power company's side. They came out to look at it today and didn't fix anything, and I would like someone else to evaluate my conclusion before I call them tomorrow. This is a commercial building that I am...

View more questions Search