What causes this

[Rick Cantrell]

Using a 3 lite tester.
Duplex receptacle, not controlled by switch
Bottom of duplex shows normal
Upper of duplex shows open ground
found 3 like this in the house
2 different rooms
both rooms had other outlets that showed correct.

Did not remove receptacle.

[James Duffin]

Since there is no break-off tab for the ground that allows you to separate the two halves of the receptacle I would say you have bad receptacles.

[Jerry Peck]

Since there is no break-off tab for the ground that allows you to separate the two halves of the receptacle I would say you have bad receptacles.


Or a bad tester.

Those cheapie 3-light testers are too cheap to use and rely on professionally.

Was the 3-light tester a cheapie one or a higher quality 3-light tester (not that I like them either, but at least they are better quality and usable for more than just 'night-lights'.

[Rick Cantrell]

Sorry, I misspoke, not an open ground, but open neutral.


"Was the 3-light tester a cheapie one or a higher quality 3-light tester (not that I like them either, but at least they are better quality and usable for more than just 'night-lights'"

I do not consider any thing I pay for as "Cheap":D
And I did not know there are "better quality" 3 lite testers available.
But it is an Ideal tester

"Or a bad tester."

Only on those plug ins?

I'm thinking bad receptacles, just wanted to know if anyone has seen this.
Thanks for your suggestions.

[Jerry Peck]

Sorry, I misspoke, not an open ground, but open neutral.

Probably worn-out receptacles with loose contacts.


"Was the 3-light tester a cheapie one or a higher quality 3-light tester (not that I like them either, but at least they are better quality and usable for more than just 'night-lights'"

I do not consider any thing I pay for as "Cheap":D
And I did not know there are "better quality" 3 lite testers available.
But it is an Ideal tester

The Ideal 3-light tester is a "better quality" one those those $10 ones at the big box stores, and when someone says 3-light tester, those are the ones which come to mind ...


"Or a bad tester."

Only on those plug ins?

Yep, with those cheapie 3-light night lights ... er ... testers. :)

[James Duffin]

I will change my guess to somebody has broken the break-off tab off of the neutral side of the receptacle. It is possible that the electrician had a bunch of receptacles that had been used on other jobs and grabbed some that had the neutral break-out tab broken off and then were not needed. I did some repairs on a house about three months ago that had one receptacle like that.

[Rick Cantrell]

Thanks Jerry, and James