Two reasons. In older wiring or possibly new depending on the region, it was common place to split a receptacle especially in kitchens so that the top half was on one circuit and one was on the other. You may have a tripped breaker. Otherwise, the receptacle was cut to be a split receptacle and never wired that way. If you feel safe doing so, pull the receptacle out of the wall with the POWER OFF. Look at the sides where the wires are screwed down and see if the metal tab that runs between the two screw per side is still intact. If its not and you want the receptacle on a single circuit, replace the receptacle, but this time, don't cut the tab.
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One possible reason could be that there is an issue with the outlet itself, such as a loose connection or a broken terminal. Another reason might be that the second plug-in is not making proper contact with the outlet due to damage or corrosion. A third possibility is that there is overload on the circuit, causing one of the outlets to trip a circuit breaker.
Could be a loose connection somewhere, or a bad switch, or a bad outlet.
Most American Plugin's will not work in Australia and/or other countries.
It's possible that the tab connecting the top and bottom outlets was not broken, so power is only reaching the top outlet. Check to ensure the tab is removed on the hot (brass) side. If the tab is removed, there may be a loose connection on the bottom outlet or the outlet itself may be faulty.
No, you should not plug a 250 volt lamp into a standard US outlet, which operates at 120 volts. The voltage mismatch could damage the lamp or pose a safety hazard. You would need a voltage converter to safely use the lamp with a US outlet.
You will need to replace the 3-prong outlet with a 4-prong outlet to match your dryer cord. Alternatively, you can replace the cord on your dryer with a 3-prong cord that matches the existing outlet. Make sure to consult a professional if you are not comfortable with electrical work.