Outlet Replacement Problem

[JohnnyM]

Trying to replace some outlets and having trouble. My bathrooms are both on the same line, so I put in a GFCI plug in the first outlet without too much difficulty.

Outlet 2 though, I can't seem to get to work. I have identified the load wires and attached them where they (I think) go. Without the other wires attached this gives power to the top outlet, but not the bottom, when the power is turned on.

Now when I attach the line feed wires I still don't get power to the bottom outlet, or to the downstream outlet. I don't have a clue what to do.

For background - The outlet has two screws on either side to attach the wires to. The load line wires i have attached to the top screw on either side.

Also, the third outlet in the line I THOUGHT was the last one, but when I opened it up today it has four wires? Does this mean it's feeding something else?

I'm kind of an idiot when it comes to electrical work, and this outlet/switch replacement in my house is the first I've ever worked with it.

 

[JohnnyM]

shameless ttt.....anyone?

 

[Increase]

Load wires shouldn't supply any power, should they? (Unless you mean Outlet 1's LOAD connects to Outlet 2--where it would be the LINE).

Something to look at is whether, on Outlet 2, the screws on each side are connected. There should be metal (a small tab that can be broken off) connecting the 2 hot screws to each other and the 2 neutral screws to each other. If you're just getting power to the top, but it won't go to the bottom half of the outlet or down the line, it could be because the tab is broken off and the screws are not connected.

And 4 wires in Outlet 3 should mean it's not the end and something's going on beyond it.

Hope this is at least a bit helpful.

 

[JohnnyM]

I meant line, not load, sorry.

And I think the metal tab thing is the answer. i don't see anything connecting the screws. I'll go to HD tonight and figure this out. Thanks.

No idea what's beyond the "last" plug, so I guess just some trial and error will tell me.

Edit: It was those damn metal tabs. I had another new outlet in the garage and when I picked it up and it had tabs on it I nearly chucked it across the street. I spent too much time Sunday working on that and cursing, with the gf giving the "what are you doing in there?" question that usually means "quit ******* around and do something." Well, at least I know the answer now.

 

[NickDanger]

Increase has offered the correct answer. Sometimes people want an outlet (duplex recepticle) that has one plug that is constantly on (for the vacuum cleaner or whatever you need to plug in) and the other that is "switched" for saw a table lamp that is plugged into the socket, but controlled by a switch. In order to do that, you have to break or remove the copper connection between the two copper screws on one side as well as the connection between the two silver-colered screws on the other. There are ways to remedy the deal without buying a new plug, but new plugs are practically free.