Help in tracking down/identifying a dead outlet

[Banjorear]

On my house, one of the outside outlets is dead. Not sure if it ever worked.

In my basement, I can see some Romex that has been cut and I believe it may be going to the box in question.

Is there a way that I can hook up low voltage or some type of current that will allow me to read or identify that the leg indeed goes to the outside outlet?

I hope this makes sense.

I'm looking for a cheap, DYI approach and would rather not have to buy a tools to do this job for it's also possible that it's not leading to the outlet I need.

Thanks,

Tim

 

[Blk88GT]

Do you have a voltmeter?

 

[Banjorear]

Do you have a voltmeter?

Yes. I'm not that keen with electrical testing. Can you tell me how to use a voltmeter to test this lead?

Thanks,

Tim

 

[larry_g]

To test that the wires go to the receptacal with a VOM first check that there is no voltage at the cut end. If no voltage at the plug or cut end of the wire then strip the wire ends and connect them all together with a wire nut. At the receptacle use your ohm meter to confirm that there is low resistance between all contacts. If you confirm low resistance then you have confirmed that the wire goes to the receptacle.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[Banjorear]

To test that the wires go to the receptacal with a VOM first check that there is no voltage at the cut end. If no voltage at the plug or cut end of the wire then strip the wire ends and connect them all together with a wire nut. At the receptacle use your ohm meter to confirm that there is low resistance between all contacts. If you confirm low resistance then you have confirmed that the wire goes to the receptacle.

lg
no neat sig line

Thank you.

 

[JakeKohl]

Be careful here! If someone severed the line, it was probably for a reason. it's likely that the outdoor outlet had gone bad and was causing the breaker to pop....but this is a silly reason to cut an electrical line when replacing the outlet would have likely been easier.

Also be sure you are not working on energized electrical wires. I highly recommend a tool like this: Wire Tester. You can use it to see if either severed end has electricity on it. Flip the breaker and ensure that it is off (and that you have the correct breaker).