Open neutral

[ancora]

I have an open neutral in a receptacle located in the aft head. Now what?

 

[DavidM]

I have an open neutral in a receptacle located in the aft head. Now what?

1. That receptacle should be protected by a GFCI probably as part of a receptacle in the galley. That won't cause an open neutral, but.... check the GFCI anyway and if it is tripped, reset it.

2. Check the connections in the receptacle and in the GFCI receptacle that feeds it and any in between.

4. Check the connections at the circuit breaker.

5. Call an electrician.

David

 

[C lectric]

How do you know it is open, not connected.?
Did it work previously.?
Have you actually pulled the receptacle out and looked? Is a white wire present?

As DavidM asks is there a GFCI involved?

Often wires are daisy chained to another receptacle. If the neutral has become disconnected from that other receptacle that would cause an open neutral.


SOrry to be asking possibly annoying questions but it is not absolutely clear what you are dealing with or if you have tried to trace it at this point and how.

 

[DWJensen]

Is this a new to you boat or was the receptacle working before and now isn't? Have you checked the connections on the receptacle? Did you try #3 above?

 

[ancora]

The receptacle is a GFI. Pulled it yesterday and checked with a multi-meter with the neutral showing open. Going to check out neutral on the receptacle in front of it. Right now, I am installing a new battery charger and that takes precedent over a non working receptacle.

 

[DavidM]

Exactly how do you check the receptacle and it shows an open neutral?

David

 

[fgarriso]

Open neutral is a MAJOR problem with any 120VAC circuit.

The neutral is the return path for the currents. Without that the only return is the safety ground. On a boat that could cause several things to become hot and you could get electrocuted. I would fix the problem ASAP. If you don't know how hire a marine electrician.