- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
Hot & ground reversed suddenly - wtf?
Posted on 5/14/22 at 2:15 pm
Posted on 5/14/22 at 2:15 pm
My work computer has been plugged into the same outlet for a month with no issues. Suddenly a few minutes ago, I hear a pop then the outlet goes out. No work. Tested the outlet and it now says that the hot & ground are reversed. How does that even happen without ever touching the wiring?? More importantly, is this something I can fix without tearing through Sheetrock to re-wire the whole damn circuit?
3
Posted on 5/14/22 at 2:34 pm to fightin tigers
Yep, just that one particular one.
Posted on 5/14/22 at 2:41 pm to TDsngumbo
Change the plug. If there are more on that circuit then something could have shorted it. Hell, I guess your computer could have shorted it.
Not sure why you would need to change the wiring unless it is shorting. And you didn't mention the breaker tripping.
Not sure why you would need to change the wiring unless it is shorting. And you didn't mention the breaker tripping.
This post was edited on 5/14/22 at 2:43 pm
Posted on 5/14/22 at 2:47 pm to fightin tigers
Right, the breaker did not trip. That’s the first thing I thought to check when I heard the pop. I do have a window unit plugged into the same circuit (20 amp circuit) but the total on this circuit is right at 19 amps.
Also, this plug is brand new, only about two months old. In fact, all the outlets in my office are brand new.
Also, this plug is brand new, only about two months old. In fact, all the outlets in my office are brand new.
This post was edited on 5/14/22 at 2:48 pm
Posted on 5/14/22 at 3:49 pm to TDsngumbo
If you are getting hot/ground reverse on a tester it usually just means you have a bad neutral somewhere down the line, the tester isn't smart enough to tell you that. You also want to make sure everything down stream of the outlet you are testing is off, I would just unplug everything and plug things in one a time until you find your culprit. Having something drawing power on the circuit will also cause that hot/ground reverse issue.
I had this happen in my last house, I looked everywhere and finally I just started taking every outlet apart. Turned out one of the carport outlets had the ground come off and I was getting this same "result" in my kitchen and bathroom. WHY on earth they put an outside outlet on that circuit I will never understand, but they did.
I had this happen in my last house, I looked everywhere and finally I just started taking every outlet apart. Turned out one of the carport outlets had the ground come off and I was getting this same "result" in my kitchen and bathroom. WHY on earth they put an outside outlet on that circuit I will never understand, but they did.
Posted on 5/14/22 at 9:39 pm to armsdealer
quote:
If you are getting hot/ground reverse on a tester it usually just means you have a bad neutral somewhere down the line
What do you mean a bad neutral? Like it physically came off or disconnected or something else? I’m no electrician but I am capable enough to replace an outlet for sure lol. Just trying to figure out what I’m looking for.
Posted on 5/15/22 at 1:21 am to armsdealer
quote:
I was getting this same "result" in my kitchen and bathroom. WHY on earth they put an outside outlet on that circuit I will never understand, but they did.
Common practice in older homes, not sure about those built today. GFI devices were expensive, home builders would routinely feed all outside outlets off the bathroom GFI outlets.
Posted on 5/15/22 at 1:59 am to EA6B
quote:
Common practice in older homes, not sure about those built today. GFI devices were expensive, home builders would routinely feed all outside outlets off the bathroom GFI outlets.
I think even on modern homes most of the outside wall receptacles are going to be wired on otherwise indoor circuits. I have 9 outside receptacles on my house and 5 on the camp* and they all are fed by the circuit of the room inside. Whether a "loop" or home runs that is a LOT of wasted wire even in a small home when GFCIs are $15 per at retail compared to 12/2 @ roughly 60 cents by the 1,000 ft roll. Plus you have to add the labor the pull the cable all around the house.
*both outdoor kitchens have dedicated 120v and 240v circuits
Posted on 5/15/22 at 8:23 am to TDsngumbo
quote:
I do have a window unit plugged into the same circuit (20 amp circuit) but the total on this circuit is right at 19 amps.
Are you saying the total load is 19 amps or the total of the rated amps of what you have plugged in?
Also, curious how you are getting the Hot/ground reversed indication? And do you mean hot/ground or hot /(neutral & ground) assuming Your ground and neutral are bonded at your box.
Posted on 5/15/22 at 10:10 am to TDsngumbo
Comment that outlets are new is interesting. Your failed outlet may have contained a metal burr of filings not cleaned away during manufacture. An arch then burned out the connection of hot wire before the breaker was thrown. Replace outlet, check breaker, test with something cheaper than a computer.
Posted on 5/16/22 at 9:30 am to TDsngumbo
Update: I took the outlet out, the wires all looked tight but for good measure, I disconnected and reconnected them again and now it works again. Hopefully it’s not just a fluke and it’s really fixed.
Posted on 5/16/22 at 3:40 pm to TDsngumbo
I'd still replace that outlet. There could be some internal damage that isn't visible to the naked eye.
Posted on 5/17/22 at 4:00 pm to armsdealer
quote:
I had this happen in my last house, I looked everywhere and finally I just started taking every outlet apart. Turned out one of the carport outlets had the ground come off
Same thing happened to me. Luckily I discovered it on the 2nd outlet I checked. Friend told me to plug the tester in and then gently push on the outlet. That little movement might be enough to get the ground to touch the contact again and the indicator lights will change. If you get lucky like that you don't have to actually look deeper into the connections.
Page 1 of 1
Popular
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News