Half of an outlet is out? Ever seen this?

[kentry]

Hi,
I have an outlet under the sink where the dishwasher and the disposal is plugged. It has been working fine for the last year. Now one of the outlet is out, won't provide power. the other still works! i've switched the appliances and they both work under the 2nd outlet, but the first is nothing.

I've replaced the outlet, checked the fuses and breaker box. problem is not there.

anyone have ideas? i'm thinking its bad wires somewhere along the line.

[Hube]

Its more than likely broken wires, but is there power to this outlet box? Is this a "split" circuit with a 2 pole breaker? Or a single pole? What wires are in the outlet box; blk-wh-gr....or blk-red-wht-gr. Post back with info and we will get to the solution, Hube

[kentry]

forgive me, i'm not that handy, here's what i can gather:

separate breakers for fridge and disposal, red wire supplying power to disposal and going to the fridge also i think. top half of the outlet which is connected to the disposal switch is out. the bottom half which supplies constant power to DW is okay. all other outlets nearby is fine. gfi outlet is fine, tried the reset thing.

i did replace the outlet and the new one will work for a few minutes, then go out though.

hube,
not sure what you mean by a split circuit w/ 2 pole breaker, can you describe what that would look like?

i'm wondering if its the switch now.

[irregularjoe]

quote:Originally posted by kentry

Hi,
I have an outlet under the sink where the dishwasher and the disposal is plugged. It has been working fine for the last year. Now one of the outlet is out, won't provide power. the other still works! i've switched the appliances and they both work under the 2nd outlet, but the first is nothing.

I've replaced the outlet, checked the fuses and breaker box. problem is not there.

anyone have ideas? i'm thinking its bad wires somewhere along the line.

did you check the switch? for the disposal?

Did you ever see OHM'S mother in LAW?...... SHOCKING!

[Jimmer]

Ken,

You've got an interesting problem that is hard to figure out without seeing everything first hand. When you replaced the outlet did you break the tabs between the screws on the hot side? This is required when you have two supply lines coming to one outlet. If you didn't then this should blow right away. You said it works for a minute so I am assuming you did.

Good luck, Jim

'Just a handyman trying to help'

[kentry]

quote:Originally posted by Jimmer

Ken,

You've got an interesting problem that is hard to figure out without seeing everything first hand. When you replaced the outlet did you break the tabs between the screws on the hot side? This is required when you have two supply lines coming to one outlet. If you didn't then this should blow right away. You said it works for a minute so I am assuming you did.

Good luck, Jim

'Just a handyman trying to help'

Jimmer,
i was told that the tab break is only for the gfi outlet. the outlet in question is not the gfi one. am i wrong?

also, we tried a new switch and that didn't do the trick. could it be something in the breaker box? higher amp for the fuse maybe? but its worked for the last 3 years. that's what's funny.

TIA

[Jimmer]

Ken,

If you have two hot feeds coming to an outlet you must break the tab that joins the two hot screws. Normally you will see a black, red and white wire coming into the electrical box and that is your first clue that it is probably a split outlet.

Good luck, Jim

'Just a handyman trying to help'

[kentry]

Thanks all for your help. I've decided to call in the pros now.

[kentry]

just an update, the electrician found out the problem. it was the connection at the box, seems like not enough juice was going to the wires. he just adjusted and tightened the wire connections.