[Ekirkhart]

Hi all,

I have a receptacle in the back of a cabinet where half of the duplex receptacle keeps dying. I first replaced the receptacle a couple of months ago. The receptacle looked fine (no broken or burnt tabs) and there was no switched hot or anything like that. A new receptacle fixed the issue for about six weeks.

There is a 12/2 feed and a 12/2 going on to the next receptacle. They are pigtailed to the outlet.

Can anyone think of a reason this might happen? If there is power in the box, both halves of the outlet should work? A small LCD TV and micro cable box are normally plugged in. No more than 50 watts total.

Thanks in advance.

 

[AllanJ]

Is the same thing always plugged into the top half and the same thing plugged into the bottom half? Maybe it is one of the power cords with a loose connection in the plug or a broken conductor. Try plugging in something else to verify whether it is always the same receptacle that goes dead.

 

[joed]

If the tabs are not cut it is impossible for power to be cut to only one of the duplex plugs.

 

[seharper]

Is one of them a "wall wart" power supply? I bet it has fitment problems and is working loose. Try putting it on a short extension cord.

 

[jreagan]

Heat in connection earlier in the circuit. Back stabs coming loose?

 

[Ekirkhart]

Thanks for all the advice. Never thought of the plug being bad. Next time I'm there I will bring my outlet tester and short extension cord.

I can't stand back-stabs, I exclusively use commercial style backwire receptacles so that shouldn't be an issue.

Once again thank you for the advice, I will update when I find the solution. :smile: