I replaced a metal box outlet with a PVC box and re-wired after some wall tile work. Afterwards, I inserted my audible voltage tester in both the live and neutral contacts, and all four indicate voltage. This is a standard three-prong outlet (non GFCI) which has 2 bundles of wiring feeding into the box to oulet: a black from each on both brass screws, and the white neutrals on two left, silver screws (looks like original installer double-wired this for some reason, i.e w/ 2 sets of wires). To troubleshoot, I re-wired with all 4 combinations of black and white connections to try to get the neutral contacts to neutral (always keeping white on silver, black on brass) but all 4 contacts still indicate voltage. Also, the 2 ground wires from both bundles are simply twisted together in a screw cap and not connected to outlet ground screw, since new box is ungrounded PVC. In any case, do I have a safety issue and why would all contacts be live?
Thanks for any help.

If I understand you correctly you have two cables coming into the box.
First the grounds should be connected together and connected to the green ground screw of the outlet.

The two whites should be connected together and connected to the silver screw on the left of the outlet. They can be connected to directly to the outlet using the two screws or they can be connected using a pig tail and a wire nut.

The two blacks should be connected to the brass screw on the right in the same manner.

You should always have voltage between the black and the neutral. You should always have voltage between the black and the ground.

You will have voltage between the neutral and the ground if there is anything else on that circuit (i.e a light) that is on at the time.

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(looks like original installer double-wired this for some reason, i.e w/ 2 sets of wires).

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Don't understand what that means.

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Originally Posted by joe55

I replaced a metal box outlet with a PVC box and re-wired after some wall tile work. Afterwards, I inserted my audible voltage tester in both the live and neutral contacts, and all four indicate voltage.

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Have you tested for voltage with a real tester?

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Originally Posted by hkstroud

If I understand you correctly you have two cables coming into the box.
First the grounds should be connected together and connected to the green ground screw of the outlet.
There is a 3rd which had been connected to a switch with an extension cable terminated to an old kitchen fan which I disconnected. That 3rd cable is now connected to a new cable w/ wire nuts leading to an outlet.

The two whites should be connected together and connected to the silver screw on the left of the outlet. They can be connected to directly to the outlet using the two screws --exactly as described on both sides -2 blacks on right/2 neutrals on left.


You should always have voltage betweeen the black and the neutral. You should always have voltage between the black and the ground.

You will have voltage between the neutral and the ground if there is anything else on that circuit (i.e a light) that is on at the time.

I have not done this but will - thanks


Don't understand what that means.

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--had referred to my wondering why have 2 cables powering an outlet if one cable will do the job. For future add-on? Just my lack of knowledge on this.

Thanks for the feedback. I'll give this a try

I had a more detailed reply to your post but it got cut out -will have to reply again later- Thanks for your help

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Originally Posted by stanfortyman

Have you tested for voltage with a real tester?

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No, but now I will. The one I used was too basic. Thanks

One cable brings power to the box, the other takes power on to the next box, therefore they must be connect together and be connected to the outlet..

[QUOTE=hkstroud;2330148]If I understand you correctly you have two cables coming into the box.
First the grounds should be connected together and connected to the green ground screw of the outlet.

The two whites should be connected together and connected to the silver screw on the left of the outlet. They can be connected to directly to the outlet using the two screws or they can be connected using a pig tail and a wire nut.

The two blacks should be connected to the brass screw on the right in the same manner
You should always have voltage between the black and the neutral. You should always have voltage between the black and the ground.

You will have voltage between the neutral and the ground if there is anything else on that circuit (i.e a light) that is on at the time.



.--Yes, it is all connected as you descibe above-directly, not via/pigtails.
--I will connect grounds to outlet ground screw
--unrelated to outlet but, there is a 3rd cable entering box which had connected to a fan switch which had an extension terminated to fan which has been removed, along w/switch. In its place, I connected an additional cable w/wire nuts in the box, which runs to new outlet. This side of the box will be a blank cover plate.
--I understand now the reason there were 2 cables connected to one outlet, i.e it is inbound and outbound power.

I'll use your advice when I work on in a couple days

Thank you