I put my tester on the circuit (outlet) and it shows good. I test a lamp on another circuit (works fine) and then on the circuit I am testing. Tester follows electricity from the outlet, along the cord, right to the lamp (bulb) but the bulb will not light. Two outlets on same circuit and both will not light the lamp. I have never experienced anything like this. Can you help? I have done the usual checks (compared everything with working circuits). Can't solve it!

Have you tried anything else in these outlets?

Chuck

When you say "tester" do you mean one of those plug in devices or a multimeter?

If you re using a plug in device, try a meter and let's see what the voltage level is at both receptacles.

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Originally Posted by creahands

Have you tried anything else in these outlets?

Chuck

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Yes, I did all the logical steps such and testing several devices on several circuits to eliminate the obvious (bad device in lieu of circuit). I spent several hours troubleshooting. Been around construction over 40 years. Never saw anything like this.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by donf

When you say "tester" do you mean one of those plug in devices or a multimeter?

If you re using a plug in device, try a meter and let's see what the voltage level is at both receptacles.

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I used a Dual Range A/C voltage detector. When it finds voltage, it lights up. The brighter the light the stronger the voltage. Lights up bright just like on the good circuits but will not activate the device (lamp, etc) like the other circuits. I only use GOOD outlets that are not on same Circuit. Understand, I do a little of everything but am not a master at anything in construction (except maybe framing).

That type of tool will pick up any electrical signature if finds, not necessarily the one you are looking for.

Use a meter and set it to 200 Vac.to test both the presence and strength of the line.

Indications are that you have a broken neutral. Pull the outlets and see if the quick connect holes in the back of the outlets were used. If so, rewire using the screw terminals. The quick connects are known to develop bad connections over time.

The bad connection can be at the first non-working outlet or at the last working outlet on that circuit.