One dead Outlet

If a single outlet is dead and all the others on that same circuit are still working fine then the outlet itself is damaged or no longer connected properly.  Go to the main panel and turn off the breaker to that circuit.  (You do have the circuits identified right? )  Use a circuit tester, or plug a lamp or radio into one of the other outlets on that circuit to make sure the power is really off.  Remove the cover plate from the problem outlet, unscrew the top and bottom screws that hold the outlet in place and carefully pull it out of the box.  Look for loose wires, burned marks etc.   If a wire is loose, tighten the screw that holds it, plug a tester into the outlet and make sure none of the bare wire or contacts are touching anything.  Then turn the power back on and see if the outlet works properly.  If it does, turn the power off again and reinstall the outlet and cover. 

If the outlet does not work then use a neon tester to see if there is power going to the outlet.  Put one probe of the tester on the wire on each side of the outlet and see if it lights up.  If it doesn't, then the outlet is OK and for some reason power isn't getting to it.  The mot likely reason why power would not be getting to the outlet but there is only one bad outlet is that this particular outlet is the last on in a series and a wire has come loose at the outlet before it in the series.  Identify the problem outlet, disassemble as described above and tighten any loose connection.

If the receptacle has failed you will  need to replace it.  Remove the old receptacle and make sure you notice how the wires are attached.  The white wire should attach to the silver contacts on the new receptacle and the black to the brass.   Also be sure to fasten the green ground wire.  Reassemble the receptacle and you should be in business.

Mobile Home Doctor Ltd. Co. P. O. Box 10332, Albuquerque, NM 87184 USA
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