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  #1  
Old 9/17/08, 6:37 PM
Frank Magdefrau's Avatar
Frank Magdefrau Frank Magdefrau is offline
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Default Open Neutral & Open Hot

Today was the first time my "Sure-Test" ever gave me these readings. Can someone please explain to me what they mean and give advice on how to report these findings. Also the Open Hot Sparked when I un-plugged the garbage disposal to test outlet. Thanks

Frank



Frank Magdefrau
DeSoto Home Inspection Services
3152 Big Ben S
Hernando, MS 38632
(901) 486-0421

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  #2  
Old 9/17/08, 7:21 PM
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Default Re: Open Neutral & Open Hot

Open hot at the disposal receptacle would make perfect sense if the switch was off.
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  #3  
Old 9/17/08, 7:33 PM
Mark Jones Mark Jones is offline
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Default Re: Open Neutral & Open Hot

Basically open hot means the hot is not connected open neutral means the neutral is not connected. If there has been new receptacels installed recently the wires may have broke when they were stuffed back into the box. Pulling the outlet that tested bad you may find the problem or if the receptacles are wired in series it may be the one feeding it. There are other possibilities but those are the most common ones I've seen when doing repairs.



Mark Jones
Allmark Home Inspection Services Inc.
Serving all of Northern Illinois, Vernon Hills, Libertyville, Gurnee, Fox Lake, Round Lake

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Last edited by mjones6; 9/17/08 at 7:42 PM..
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  #4  
Old 9/17/08, 7:46 PM
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Jeffrey R. Pope Jeffrey R. Pope is offline
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Default Re: Open Neutral & Open Hot

What kind of SureTest were you using that gave you these indications? An "open-hot" and an "open-neutral" will give the same reading on the 61-165 - nothing, or no reading on the display.



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  #5  
Old 9/17/08, 7:48 PM
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Default Re: Open Neutral & Open Hot

Quote:
Originally Posted by mjones6 View Post
Basically open hot means the hot is not connected open neutral means the neutral is not connected. If there has been new receptacels installed recently the wires may have broke when they were stuffed back into the box. Pulling the outlet that tested bad you may find the problem or if the receptacles are wired in series it may be the one feeding it. There are other possibilities but those are the most common ones I've seen when doing repairs.

Bounce this one around
How about if they wired they neutral to the switch , instead of the hot.
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  #6  
Old 9/17/08, 7:48 PM
Mark Jones Mark Jones is offline
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Default Re: Open Neutral & Open Hot

Ana to report 'em I would give a location and picture, State receptacel has a open hot. Recommend a qualifed electrician make repairs. Shock and fire hazard.



Mark Jones
Allmark Home Inspection Services Inc.
Serving all of Northern Illinois, Vernon Hills, Libertyville, Gurnee, Fox Lake, Round Lake

Phone: 847 651 2053
E-Mail: AllmarkInspect@aol.com

www.AllmarkHomeInspection.com
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  #7  
Old 9/17/08, 8:01 PM
Mark Jones Mark Jones is offline
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Default Re: Open Neutral & Open Hot

Quote:
Originally Posted by relliott View Post
Bounce this one around
How about if they wired they neutral to the switch , instead of the hot.
That's easy to fix, just turn the switch on.



Mark Jones
Allmark Home Inspection Services Inc.
Serving all of Northern Illinois, Vernon Hills, Libertyville, Gurnee, Fox Lake, Round Lake

Phone: 847 651 2053
E-Mail: AllmarkInspect@aol.com

www.AllmarkHomeInspection.com
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  #8  
Old 9/17/08, 8:05 PM
Mark Jones Mark Jones is offline
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Default Re: Open Neutral & Open Hot

When ever I have those type reading on an inspection I try to give the buyer 1 possibility of what might be the cause and write 'er up.



Mark Jones
Allmark Home Inspection Services Inc.
Serving all of Northern Illinois, Vernon Hills, Libertyville, Gurnee, Fox Lake, Round Lake

Phone: 847 651 2053
E-Mail: AllmarkInspect@aol.com

www.AllmarkHomeInspection.com
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  #9  
Old 9/17/08, 10:38 PM
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Default Re: Open Neutral & Open Hot

The upper socket at the disposal inspected correct wiring the lower socket sparked and tested open hot.



Frank Magdefrau
DeSoto Home Inspection Services
3152 Big Ben S
Hernando, MS 38632
(901) 486-0421

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  #10  
Old 9/17/08, 10:39 PM
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Frank Magdefrau Frank Magdefrau is offline
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Default Re: Open Neutral & Open Hot

Quote:
Originally Posted by jpope View Post
What kind of SureTest were you using that gave you these indications? An "open-hot" and an "open-neutral" will give the same reading on the 61-165 - nothing, or no reading on the display.
http://www.professionalequipment.com...rcuit-testers/



Frank Magdefrau
DeSoto Home Inspection Services
3152 Big Ben S
Hernando, MS 38632
(901) 486-0421

InterNACHI Member since 2002
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  #11  
Old 9/17/08, 10:47 PM
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Default Re: Open Neutral & Open Hot

Quote:
Originally Posted by Marc D. Shunk View Post
Open hot at the disposal receptacle would make perfect sense if the switch was off.
Not if it sparked and the other socket tested correct wiring.



Frank Magdefrau
DeSoto Home Inspection Services
3152 Big Ben S
Hernando, MS 38632
(901) 486-0421

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  #12  
Old 9/18/08, 1:01 AM
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Default Re: Open Neutral & Open Hot

Do Not Switch Neutrals see NEC 404.2 Switch Connections
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  #13  
Old 9/18/08, 7:04 PM
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Default Re: Open Neutral & Open Hot

Quote:
Originally Posted by fmagdefrau View Post
Not if it sparked and the other socket tested correct wiring.
Certainly you're not trying to say that there are no other reasons why this would occur?
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