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Offline ChuckJ

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an electrical question
« on: March 22, 2012, 08:10:32 AM »
I'm having an electrical issues that I think is related to a particular outlet. The outlet does not work, but I don't know if the outlet is the problem or if it's the line going to the outlet. Is there a way to check if the outlet is the problem with a multimeter WITHOUT removing the outlet?
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Offline rich_t

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Re: an electrical question
« Reply #1 on: March 22, 2012, 08:20:11 AM »
Quote from: ChuckJ on March 22, 2012, 08:10:32 AM
I'm having an electrical issues that I think is related to a particular outlet. The outlet does not work, but I don't know if the outlet is the problem or if it's the line going to the outlet. Is there a way to check if the outlet is the problem with a multimeter WITHOUT removing the outlet?

Not really.
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Offline Maxiest

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Re: an electrical question
« Reply #2 on: March 22, 2012, 08:24:19 AM »
You can buy an outlet tester:

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=outlet+tester&x=0&y=0

But plugging something in works just as well.

It's probably the power running to the outlet on that circuit I would imagine.
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Offline Toastedturningtidelegs

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Re: an electrical question
« Reply #3 on: March 23, 2012, 11:43:34 AM »
Quote from: ChuckJ on March 22, 2012, 08:10:32 AM
I'm having an electrical issues that I think is related to a particular outlet. The outlet does not work, but I don't know if the outlet is the problem or if it's the line going to the outlet. Is there a way to check if the outlet is the problem with a multimeter WITHOUT removing the outlet?
Take the outlet cover off and check for voltage on the contacts if there isn't any it's in the line. If there is, it's the outlet.
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Offline NHSparky

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Re: an electrical question
« Reply #4 on: March 23, 2012, 12:57:11 PM »
Get an outlet tester.  Anywhere between $10-15.



While it's not always perfect, the conditions under which it gives "bogus" indications are pretty rare.
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Offline TVDOC

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Re: an electrical question
« Reply #5 on: March 23, 2012, 01:03:49 PM »
Quote from: ChuckJ on March 22, 2012, 08:10:32 AM
I'm having an electrical issues that I think is related to a particular outlet. The outlet does not work, but I don't know if the outlet is the problem or if it's the line going to the outlet. Is there a way to check if the outlet is the problem with a multimeter WITHOUT removing the outlet?

Actually yes......take the cover off of the outlet, and set your multimeter to AC Volts, select a range to measure that is higher than 100 V.

Place the ground probe (black) on the screwhead on the side of the outlet that has the white wire connected to it, and place the red probe on the opposite side of the recepticle contacting the screw with the black wire connected to it......your meter should read in excess of 110 VAC.  If you get no reading place the probes carefully on the wires connected to each recepticle screw......if you still get no voltage reading, the circuit is dead.  Most likely a bad circuit breaker (although rare.....they DO fail).

If there is voltage present at the screws (or wires), but the outlet still doesn't work, you have simply a bad recepticle.......once the breaker is identified, and the power to it has been shut off, they are simple to replace.

doc
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Offline Wineslob

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Re: an electrical question
« Reply #6 on: March 23, 2012, 01:45:53 PM »
Just lick your fingers and......
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Offline rich_t

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Re: an electrical question
« Reply #7 on: March 23, 2012, 04:45:19 PM »
Quote from: TVDOC on March 23, 2012, 01:03:49 PM
Actually yes......take the cover off of the outlet, and set your multimeter to AC Volts, select a range to measure that is higher than 100 V.

Place the ground probe (black) on the screwhead on the side of the outlet that has the white wire connected to it, and place the red probe on the opposite side of the recepticle contacting the screw with the black wire connected to it......your meter should read in excess of 110 VAC.  If you get no reading place the probes carefully on the wires connected to each recepticle screw......if you still get no voltage reading, the circuit is dead.  Most likely a bad circuit breaker (although rare.....they DO fail).

If there is voltage present at the screws (or wires), but the outlet still doesn't work, you have simply a bad recepticle.......once the breaker is identified, and the power to it has been shut off, they are simple to replace.

doc

Aww come on doc.  Only pussies shut off the breaker before replacing an outlet or light switch.

 :fuelfire:






























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Offline LC EFA

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Re: an electrical question
« Reply #8 on: March 23, 2012, 04:55:41 PM »
I'd just use the same voltage detector "pen" that I use for finding live wires inside walls.

Wave it around where the switch on the outlet is and it should detect voltage even if the outlet is off.

You could probably even use one of the Auto Electrical jobs that cost peanuts from the local Auto-Cheap-O store.

That'll tell you if there's current at the outlet.
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Offline sisyphus

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Re: an electrical question
« Reply #9 on: April 14, 2012, 09:28:34 PM »
Quote from: TVDOC on March 23, 2012, 01:03:49 PM
Actually yes......take the cover off of the outlet, and set your multimeter to AC Volts, select a range to measure that is higher than 100 V.

Place the ground probe (black) on the screw-head on the side of the outlet that has the white wire connected to it, and place the red probe on the opposite side of the receptacle contacting the screw with the black wire connected to it......your meter should read in excess of 110 VAC.  If you get no reading place the probes carefully on the wires connected to each receptacle screw......if you still get no voltage reading, the circuit is dead.  Most likely a bad circuit breaker (although rare.....they DO fail).

If there is voltage present at the screws (or wires), but the outlet still doesn't work, you have simply a bad receptacle.......once the breaker is identified, and the power to it has been shut off, they are simple to replace.

doc

This is the correct method.

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Offline JohnnyReb

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Re: an electrical question
« Reply #10 on: April 18, 2012, 09:28:02 AM »
Quote from: Wineslob on March 23, 2012, 01:45:53 PM
Just lick your fingers and......

"Come here boy! Stick this fork in that wall socket there and Lets see what happens"

That's good for a one time test...two or more if he's a future democrat.
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Offline Zeus

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Re: an electrical question
« Reply #11 on: April 18, 2012, 10:16:10 AM »
If you don't have an outlet tester plug something in an  different outlet along the same wall if it works your culprit is a bad outlet.
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