Electricianguys- Help on Changing an Outlet (1 Viewer)

[Chadstroma]

I have a few projects going on right now and the big one is refreshing the bedrooms. New carpet, new paint and changing out all the fixtures, air registers and outlets.

Here is the problem. One outlet is giving me a hard time.

It has two white wires. One black and one red. One blue.

According to my limited knowledge/understanding- I have the white to the silver side of the outlet, the black and red to the bronze side and the blue to the green/ground.

It works when it is out of the box but if I put it in the box it trips the breaker. I have tried a lot to figure this out and spent a lot of time and I am stumped. Help.

 

[nirad3]

Sorry I suck at this but if you get stuck despite the wise chimings-in of the FFA, PM me. My cousin is an "odd jobs" electrician in Chicago that would be able to help you on the cheap.

Good luck

 

[tommyboy]

Did you test the white wires to see which is hot? One of those whites might be a ground

 

[mr roboto]

Did you test the white wires to see which is hot? One of those whites might be a ground

one is probably power, the other is power going to the next outlet. Or maybe you have 2 power (one from breaker, one to next outlet), 2 neutral (one from breaker, one to next outlet) then ground. 5 wires. White and white on one screw, black and red on the other, blue/green to ground screw?

 

[Foosball God]

Sounds like you are causing a short when the box is in. Is there any bare wire exposed? Too close to another outlet?

 

[satch]

Did you check another outlet in the same circuit to ensure you've got it wired correctly? (You didn't sound too sure in the op)

Also, does the breaker trip when the outlet contacts the box, or when something is plugged into it after it's been installed into the box?

 

[Dickies]

If it works outside the box, but trips the breaker when inserted I would tend to think there are bare wires that are touching each other

 

[Chadstroma]

Did you test the white wires to see which is hot? One of those whites might be a ground

one is probably power, the other is power going to the next outlet. Or maybe you have 2 power (one from breaker, one to next outlet), 2 neutral (one from breaker, one to next outlet) then ground. 5 wires.White and white on one screw, black and red on the other, blue/green to ground screw?

That is how it is now.

 

[Chadstroma]

Did you check another outlet in the same circuit to ensure you've got it wired correctly? (You didn't sound too sure in the op)

Also, does the breaker trip when the outlet contacts the box, or when something is plugged into it after it's been installed into the box?

I re-did all the other outlets. This is the only one with extra wiring. I thought I had it fine because it works when out of the box but if it touches the box it trips the breaker.

So, out of the box it can power something plugged into it and is fine. But if it is in the box- even without having anything plugged into it- it trips the breaker.

 

[ChiefD]

If it works outside the box, but trips the breaker when inserted I would tend to think there are bare wires that are touching each other

This. If the junction box is metal, you may try wrapping electrical tape around the whole outlet where the wires screw into the outlet. That should keep them from touching the sides of the junction box, or getting so close that they arc.

 

[satch]

Did you check another outlet in the same circuit to ensure you've got it wired correctly? (You didn't sound too sure in the op)

Also, does the breaker trip when the outlet contacts the box, or when something is plugged into it after it's been installed into the box?

I re-did all the other outlets. This is the only one with extra wiring. I thought I had it fine because it works when out of the box but if it touches the box it trips the breaker.So, out of the box it can power something plugged into it and is fine. But if it is in the box- even without having anything plugged into it- it trips the breaker.

Wire it like the others and cap off the extra wires?

 

[Chadstroma]

If it works outside the box, but trips the breaker when inserted I would tend to think there are bare wires that are touching each other

If it works outside the box, but trips the breaker when inserted I would tend to think there are bare wires that are touching each other

This. If the junction box is metal, you may try wrapping electrical tape around the whole outlet where the wires screw into the outlet. That should keep them from touching the sides of the junction box, or getting so close that they arc.

Two of the wires are not the solid wiring but the many strands. I can't seem to keep them wound up in there without splitting a bit.... could that be the issue?

 

[Chadstroma]

Did you check another outlet in the same circuit to ensure you've got it wired correctly? (You didn't sound too sure in the op)

Also, does the breaker trip when the outlet contacts the box, or when something is plugged into it after it's been installed into the box?

I re-did all the other outlets. This is the only one with extra wiring. I thought I had it fine because it works when out of the box but if it touches the box it trips the breaker.So, out of the box it can power something plugged into it and is fine. But if it is in the box- even without having anything plugged into it- it trips the breaker.

Wire it like the others and cap off the extra wires?

I was thinking about that but the extra is the blue- which is suppose to be the ground wire. Right?

 

[satch]

Did you check another outlet in the same circuit to ensure you've got it wired correctly? (You didn't sound too sure in the op)

Also, does the breaker trip when the outlet contacts the box, or when something is plugged into it after it's been installed into the box?

I re-did all the other outlets. This is the only one with extra wiring. I thought I had it fine because it works when out of the box but if it touches the box it trips the breaker.So, out of the box it can power something plugged into it and is fine. But if it is in the box- even without having anything plugged into it- it trips the breaker.

Wire it like the others and cap off the extra wires?

I was thinking about that but the extra is the blue- which is suppose to be the ground wire. Right?

No, I believe blue wires are usually associated with ceiling fans, etc.

 

[Chadstroma]

Did you check another outlet in the same circuit to ensure you've got it wired correctly? (You didn't sound too sure in the op)

Also, does the breaker trip when the outlet contacts the box, or when something is plugged into it after it's been installed into the box?

I re-did all the other outlets. This is the only one with extra wiring. I thought I had it fine because it works when out of the box but if it touches the box it trips the breaker.So, out of the box it can power something plugged into it and is fine. But if it is in the box- even without having anything plugged into it- it trips the breaker.

Wire it like the others and cap off the extra wires?

I was thinking about that but the extra is the blue- which is suppose to be the ground wire. Right?

No, I believe blue wires are usually associated with ceiling fans, etc.

Which we have but is not even on that breaker.

 

[Chadstroma]

Would a hot wire on the ground connection cause this?

Previous to re-working everything, I had wrapped the back part of the outlet around in electrical tape partly because of the split wires not being 'cleanly' connected.

 

[mr roboto]

You need the split wires 'cleanly connected'. Yes it's possible.

 

[jwb]

Did you check another outlet in the same circuit to ensure you've got it wired correctly? (You didn't sound too sure in the op)

Also, does the breaker trip when the outlet contacts the box, or when something is plugged into it after it's been installed into the box?

I re-did all the other outlets. This is the only one with extra wiring. I thought I had it fine because it works when out of the box but if it touches the box it trips the breaker.So, out of the box it can power something plugged into it and is fine. But if it is in the box- even without having anything plugged into it- it trips the breaker.

Wire it like the others and cap off the extra wires?

I was thinking about that but the extra is the blue- which is suppose to be the ground wire. Right?

No, I believe blue wires are usually associated with ceiling fans, etc.

Which we have but is not even on that breaker.

seriously, you want to find out where these are all going / coming from.

 

[Chadstroma]

So, yes, the blue wire was the culprit. I took it off, capped it off and everything is working as it is suppose to now.

Thanks everyone.