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Line fault at the outlet -- do I need an electrician?

Yesterday, I got a Panamax, Max 1500 surge protector and line conditioner. (I got a very good deal on it, and am just trying it out.)

I plugged it into an outlet I've been using for a while and one of the red lights on the front lit up saying "line fault." (I'm not sure how this is different from a "ground fault." Maybe it's the same.) The Panamax does not do this with other outlets in the room. They seem ok.

So, I know this means that the outlet is improperly wired. My question is, might this be a simple thing to check and/or fix? Any suggestions most appreciated. It's the only outlet I can use to have my audio set up where I usually have it. Now is not an optimal time to call an electrician. If this is a big problem, I'll try out my gear somewhere else in the room, but if I can fix this without too much expertise, that would be ideal.
128x128hilde45
bryhifi's avatar
bryhifi
374 posts
 
hilde45,  that is a possibility if the feed going to the line side of the first outlet is reversed and the daisy chained outlet is wired in parallel off the load side of the first outlet in correct polarity. 

https://solitum.net/content/images/2015/08/62304C67F7C8465FB3B153929E16E752.jpg
cissado
113 posts
 
Yes, it's usually the first one that needs fixing which fixes the next in line.
I would get that plugin tester for the rest if the house anyway and make your job easier.
Good luck
bryhifi's avatar
bryhifi
374 posts
 
Indeed a quick answer to the question of polarity is the three prong outlet tester.  https://target.scene7.com/is/image/Target/GUEST_f8afe67f-c81b-4adb-bf20-4492211bf748?wid=488&hei...
hilde45's avatar
hilde45 OP
4,974 posts
 
@bryhifi I have a digital multimeter. I use it to test car batteries. I suppose I might use that, too, no? In any case, I can get the three prong outlet if necessary. Thanks for the picture you sent -- I've saved that.

@cissado @heaudio thank you for your advice, too. 
jea48
4,412 posts
 
hilde45 OP269 posts

03-20-2020
7:26am

@bryhifi I have a digital multimeter. I use it to test car batteries. I suppose I might use that, too, no? In any case, I can get the three prong outlet if necessary.

The DMM will work just fine.

1) Set the meter to AC ~ auto volts or an AC ~ voltage scale above 150Vac.


2) Insert one test lead probe in the "U" shaped equipment ground contact hole of the wall outlet. Make sure you make good contact to the ground contact. Insert the other test lead probe into the Hot contact slot of the outlet. Make sure you make a good connection to the Hot contact. (The Hot contact is the smaller of the two slots.) You should read 120Vac nominal volts. *(If the reading is bouncing all over the place that is what is called a phantom reading, not a true reading.)
If you get a solid good 120V nominal reading that will tell you two things. The AC polarity is correct and a ground is present.

IF you do not measure 120 Volts nominal. That can mean Two things.. NO equipment ground, or Hot and Neutral reversed polarity.

3) Measure for voltage from the equipment ground contact to the neutral contact. The neutral contact is the larger of the two slotted holes on the outlet. Make sure the two DMM probes are making good contact. If you measure a good solid 120 nominal voltage then the Hot and Neutral branch circuit wires are reversed on the receptacle outlet. If you do not measure any voltage then you do not have an equipment ground.

Jim

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