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    hoopplaya4's Avatar
    hoopplaya4 Posts: 7, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #1

    May 20, 2009, 07:51 PM
    Troubleshoot Wiring a Dual Electrical Outlet
    Hi all,

    I hope this is an easy one to answer.

    In my kitchen, I was replacing old electrical outlets (USA - 15a 120V). There are two specific outlets that are side-by-side. They fit in a double-sized box. Now, the outlets that I am replacing were a little bit older, and so I am a bit confused on how to install them.

    Basically, coming out of the box from the wall are two sets of wires: 2 white and 2 black. From the first strand, I hooked up the black wire to the brass screw, and the white wire to the silver screw. I hooked these up to the screws on the bottom of the outlet.

    For the other strand coming out of the wall, I did the same thing as above.

    Now, when I turned the power back on, I noticed two things:

    First, when testing one wall outlet, it did not give me any power at all. However, the other one worked fine.

    Second, I noticed that another wall outlet about 8 feet to the left (in the kitchen) does not work, nor does the wall switch to my sink disposer.

    Finally, when I first pulled the original outlets out, I noticed that the previous installation had a black wire and white wire going from one outlet to the one right next to. Sort of like a daisy chain. I'm not sure if that is what's causing the issue, as I do not have these "short wires" attached to anything right now.

    Any ideas on how to get this thing working? Thanks!
    creahands's Avatar
    creahands Posts: 2,854, Reputation: 195
    Ultra Member
    		  
    #2

    May 20, 2009, 08:02 PM

    U have to put the jumper wires from one outlet to the other.

    One pair of wires is hot, the other pair feed the outlet 8' away and the switch. It get power from jumpers.

    Chuck
    hoopplaya4's Avatar
    hoopplaya4 Posts: 7, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #3

    May 20, 2009, 08:05 PM
    Thanks for the reply. Regarding the jumper wires, does it matter where I specifically connect them? And how do I connect them? Do I attach them to the screws? Thanks.
    jerro's Avatar
    jerro Posts: 172, Reputation: 5
    Junior Member
    		  
    #4

    May 20, 2009, 08:18 PM

    You should have another set of screws on each outlet with no wires on them. Connect a white jumper wire from the silver screw of one outlet to the silver screw of the other outlet. Connect a black jumper wire from the brass screw of one outlet to the brass screw of the other outlet.
    hoopplaya4's Avatar
    hoopplaya4 Posts: 7, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #5

    May 20, 2009, 08:21 PM
    Okay, I'll try that out and see if I can get it working. Thanks.
    hoopplaya4's Avatar
    hoopplaya4 Posts: 7, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #6

    May 21, 2009, 07:40 AM

    Worked great! Thanks everyone!
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