I have been struggling with an electrical problem for a while now:


I spliced into an electrical line in the basement to create an outlet. I wired everything perfect using experience and a home depot manual.

I kept getting a hot/ground reverse after purchasing several testers.

Then it would work great and then it would not. I finally figured out it was on the same circuit as several other fixtures.

I figured what I thought to be the culprit was our light out front... when the outlet I put in was working the light was not. I tested the light and it read Hot Neutral reverse.

I took apart the light pole and completely rewired it and it no longer had any problems. I went back to the outlet in the basement and it is still HOT / Ground Reverse??

It only has this problem when the power to the out front light is turned off... it works fine when it is turned on?

Sorry for the long post but I figured with more details someone could help me?

The best advice I can offer is to follow this circuit back to the panel and start over from there. Trace and open each box, outlet, light, switch, etc. looking for the hot (black) and ground reversed.

Test each location , and make changes as necessary as you go out further on the circuit. Somewhere you should find a problem and all should be fine beyond that point.

When you say ground are you taliking about neutral? Do you think it coould be a neutral not connected somewhere? Should I check the connection to the box?

Thanks for the help

No I mean the ground, since you state the tester indicates reversed Hot & Ground. No I don't think something is not connected at all,I think someplace the wiring is reversed, or touching .

Yes start at the circuit breaker or fuse panel, and check each point of connection on the circuit until you find a problem.

Thanks TK, I will give it a shot and let you know how it turns out.

Found out the wire I spliced into was a direct line from a light switch to outside light. They basically had 2 hot wires going to the light, hot and neutral. I fixed it but now when I turn off the switch upstairs the outlet goes out? I probably need to find another source.
Thanks again for the help TK