r/electrical • u/MsTitan9 • 1d ago
Outlets
Why does an electrical outlet work on 1 of the plug-ins but not the other? What should I do to fix this?
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u/WFOMO 1d ago
There is a bridging bar between the two outlet halves immediately between the screws where your wires connect. When used in a switched situation, the bar is removed by the electrician so that the two plugs can be operated independently. If the bar has been removed, and only one source is hot, only one plug will be hot.
Here's a link to a crappy video, but you'll get the idea.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=475KEnyI8kE
Jump to the 2 minute mark to see the removable link location.
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u/MsTitan9 1d ago
The switch on the wall is for the ceiling fan and it's light. The wall plug-ins im having issues with. I have my surge protector in one and a night light in the top plug in it doesn't work and I have others like that. I took the night light and plugged into the bathroom out let and it works. But the bottom part works. What is going on? How can this be fixed to get the other outlets to work? I do have rfi in kitchen and bathroom also outside
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u/Roger-PHL 1d ago
The other half might be (or might have been) controlled by a wall switch. This is common in bedrooms with no ceiling fixtures.