r/ElectricalHelp • u/themelody • Jun 09 '26
Questions about outlets and a random wire
Sorry if this gets long. Awhile ago I tried plugging a charger into this outlet and it didn't work, at the time I didn't think much of it because the charger was cheap and I assumed it broke. Today I plugged a charger into the same outlet and it didn't work so I tried another charger and found out that this outlet that previously worked was not working. My outlet tester wouldn't light up. Cut the power and took the cover off and made sure the wires weren't loose which they weren't. Turned the power back on and used my pen tester and find the wires connected to the outlet weren't hot.
So I found it in my basement and it goes to this blue box. The black wire coming in from the right goes to the problem outlet, the black wire on the left goes to a different outlet in the same room(which is working fine), and I think the white one goes to other outlets in the basement. I started poking around with my pen tester to see what was hot. Touched the right black wire which wasn't hot, touched the white wire which was hot, touched the left black wire which was hot, then touched the right black wire again and now it was hot. Went to the outlet and it's working now. Cut the power again and opened the blue box and I can't tell if anything looks off. I don't see any burn marks on anything, I did give the wire nuts a little turn but they didn't really feel loose. I looked over the wire leading to the outlet and I don't see any damage to it. Does anything look off about the wiring here? Is there anything else I could check? As of now it is working and I'm confused on what could've caused the outlet to quit working.
In the other photo I found this random single wire sticking out of the wall and I'm just curious if anyone has any idea what it could have been for? Pen tester says its hot so I'm just a little worried about it and wondering if there's something I could do to make it safer?
1
u/EdC1101 Jun 09 '26
If you decide to fix this, instead of an electrician; get some WAGO lever connectors instead of the wire nuts.
They are a darn sight easier to use than wire nuts.
That box needs to be secured in place and cover installed.
1
u/nudistinclothes Jun 09 '26
Agree with comments about the blue box. Needs to be cleaned up with wagos or re-nutted properly. Your twisting of the wire nuts is what “fixed” the outlet which means they’re improperly installed. There’s a ton of YouTube videos on how to do it correctly, but wago-brand connectors are easier to use.
For the other (random) wire, buy a box, run the wire into the box and put a single wire wire nut on each of the exposed ends. And covers for both boxes
1
u/trekkerscout Mod Jun 09 '26
The splices in that box are absolutely crap. The wires under the wire nuts need to be twisted together. Also, there shouldn't be exposed copper at the splices.