I have a strange issue with my kitchen electrical. The electric starter on the gas cook-top stopped working. It is plugged into a socket under the cabinet. The toaster will also not turn on. It is plugged into a socket at counter level near the other socket. Both sockets show "hot" when I use a non-contact voltage tester. I plug my toaster into a 3rd socket and it works fine. Now the really strange part, when I plug the toaster back into the original socket it works again, and the starter on the cook-top works again. This has happened twice so I don't think its a fluke.
Any ideas on what could be causing this and how to fix it?
UPDATE: Thanks for everyone’s input. The problem was a lose neutral (came out when I pulled the socket out of the box) on the load side of the third socket, as many suspected. I replaced it with a new socket and everything is working great.
Best Answer
Most commonly if you are getting power to the receptacles is a loose neutral. Especially if you are only using a non contact voltage tester. It will show power but there is no return.
Good luck