November 28, 2011 By Dave Rongey ©2007-2012Author - Licensed Electrical Contractor Filed under Electrical, Outlets, Troubleshooting
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Why Do I Have Lower Voltage Readings? |
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Electrical Question from Ed about Outlet Voltage Readings
Background: Ed, a Homeowner from Prairie Village, KS
I put a voltmeter on it and noted that there is about 48volt neutral to ground. Hot to Neutral is 120volt, but Hot to ground is about 60v as well. None of the other outlets on this circuit have this problem.
This outlet has been working, but I am not convinced it is OK now that I have discovered this anomaly. (Also I swapped the CB with another and the problem remains, so it is not the CB.)
I was thinking of replacing this outlet with a GFCI outlet, but my guess is that it would continually trip.
What say you?
Additional Comments: Good job!
Dave’s Reply:
Thanks for your electrical question Ed.
Your wiring has a possible problem where the ground may not be attached or properly spiced at the up-line connection point or the previous outlet box.
Causes and Solutions for Low Electrical Voltage Readings
- Here is a process that should be followed that may be helpful:
- Check the connections at the source. That would be the source outlet.
- Check the connections there.
- Take a reading at this outlet. Use a good quality non-digital meter that will not produce inductive readings and put the contacts on the wire ends, not the device.
Electrical Tests and Observations
- – If you get 120v hot-to-ground here, you will need to shut off the circuit and make a continuity test for each wire leading from this outlet to the problem outlet.
- Pay special attention to the reading of the ground wire.
- This is best accomplished using a spare insulated wire that is attached to one wire at a time at the problem outlet enabling a loop back test to the source outlet. Your checking for continuity – a full reading of no resistance for each wire. Understand that this is a low-voltage test and the circuit may act different when 110 to 120 volts is restored. If there is a problem between these two locations, one that is not visible, then you may have a damaged cable in the wall.
- – If you get 60v (or 0v) hot-to-ground, your problem is upstream and you may have a broken ground from the source to here.
I hope this identifies the problem for you.
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Electrical Outlets
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