Testing & TroubleshootingQuestion 485 of 521
A plug-in receptacle tester shows its 'hot/neutral reversed' indication at a 120 V outlet. What does this mean and what is the fix?
a.The equipment ground is open; drive a new ground rod
b.The receptacle is fine; the tester is faulty
c.The hot and neutral conductors are swapped at the receptacle terminals; reconnect the ungrounded (hot) conductor to the brass screw and the neutral to the silver screw
d.The voltage is too high; install a buck transformer
Explanation
Reversed polarity means the ungrounded (hot) conductor is landed on the neutral (silver) terminal and vice-versa, leaving the device energized through the neutral side. Correct it by moving the hot to the brass screw and neutral to the silver screw. It is a wiring error, not an open ground (a) or over-voltage (d).
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