OT-- Home Electricians... I have a question????

I am in the process of hooking up a wireless internet connection and was told there's problems with the 110 volt receptacle, its using, either being not grounded or the high and low side is at the incorrect polarity. I can easily trace my ground issue but if the high and low side wires are crossed BEFORE the receptacle, will simply changing the white and black on the said receptacle take care of this problem?

 

Pete, go to your local hardware store and buy an AC outlet tester. (about $8) It has three indicator lamps on the front that will tell you if the outlet is wired correctly. It will also tell if "Hot" (normally BLACK) and "NEUTRAL" (normally WHITE) are reversed.

If they are reversed, kill the curcuit breaker (remove fuse) and reverse the black and white at the OUTLET.

My guess is the outlet is down stream of another outlet and the wires got crossed.

 

thanks Dave, will do>>

 

Also a trick that no one at the hardware store usually knows is that the neutral (white wire) goes under the silver screw, and the hot (black wire) goes under the brass screw. That is how electricians do it, my day job.

If you still have a problem with the ground a cheat you can do is place a small jumper from the ground screw to the neutral screw... would not recommend for a computer though.


Also if the wires are pushed into the back of the recepticle, it will be worth your while to take them out and put the wires under the screws. This will make a better contact and cut down on the heat.

If you have any more questions just ask.

 

(If you still have a problem with the ground a cheat you can do is place a small jumper from the ground screw to the neutral screw... would not recommend for a computer though.) THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS TO DO,If you need a ground you can run a #12 wire to a copper or metal water pipe,NOT GAS PIPE. GOOD LUCK PATINA