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daveed52 · Mar 8, 2009, 04:35 PM

There are four outlets on my kitchen circuit. The first one appears to be working perfectly. When I plugged the AC adapter on my portable computer into the third of four outlets yesterday there was a spark. That outlet and the fourth one ceased to work. The circuit breaker did not trip. I tried flipping the circuit breaker off and on several times and still no power at the 2nd, 3rd, or 4th outlet. I disassembled the outlets, tightening the connections, no help. I replaced all of the outlets, no help. I disconnected the third and fourth outlets so that I was only working on the 2nd outlet, no help. I tightened the connections in the breaker box, no help. I checked the voltage on the replaced breaker - 120 volts. The first outlet 120 volts. The 2nd outlet 0 volts. I turned the breaker off. No power anywhere on the circuit. I went to Lowe's and replaced circuit breaker, no change. I had lunch and noticed that the voltmeter still connected to the 3rd outlet read 120 volts. I plugged in the outlet tester and it said that it was wired correctly. As I was watching the voltmeter it dropped down to 50 volts at the 3rd outlet. I tightened the connections again and the voltage dropped to zero. I am at my wit's end. Help.

donf · Mar 8, 2009, 04:45 PM

Is there any way you can send us a snapshot of the wiring configuration for those four outlets, please?

daveed52 · Mar 8, 2009, 05:54 PM

I don't know how I would get a picture of the four outlets. I can probably draw out the circuit if that would help.

daveed52 · Mar 8, 2009, 06:23 PM

Originally Posted by donf

Is there any way you can send us a snapshot of the wiring configuration for those four outlets, please?

See attached pdf file for a drawing

Missouri Bound · Mar 8, 2009, 07:29 PM

Well, if your diagram is correct, and you have done all the work, the only thing left is to look for a break in the wire. Do you have 120 volts between the 4th outlet and ground? If so you have an failed / failing neutral somewhere. It appears either you have a loose connection, or a wire that may be failing. Start at the first outlet. Check all connections, voltage across hot and neutral, then hot and ground. If it checks out, move to the next outlet. The problem lies between the last working outlet and the next one that doesn't test out correctly. And are you sure your outlets are wired as in your diagram?

daveed52 · Mar 13, 2009, 05:36 PM

Originally Posted by Missouri Bound

Well, if your diagram is correct, and you have done all the work, the only thing left is to look for a break in the wire. Do you have 120 volts between the 4th outlet and ground? If so you have an failed / failing neutral somewhere. It appears either you have a loose connection, or a wire that may be failing. Start at the first outlet. Check all connections, voltage across hot and neutral, then hot and ground. If it checks out, move to the next outlet. The problem lies between the last working outlet and the next one that doesn't test out correctly. And are you sure your outlets are wired as in your diagram?

Well Missouri Bound, I think you got it. I went back and looked at the wires where they enter and exit each junction box. One of the wires in the first outlet box appeared to be on the point of failure where it had been kinked and shoved into the box. I cut it just short, and made a pigtail to the outlet. Everything seems to working. No sparks, no voltage changes. Thanks a bundle. :D

Missouri Bound · Mar 13, 2009, 05:39 PM

Glad I could help... good troubleshooting is the key to every solution