but I will definitely keep this in the back of my mind. It is #1 on my list of bad but allowed wiring practices. To the OP, one other point: Don't just look at the receptacles that are faulty. The hot arrives on the white, passes through the switch and returns to the light via the black. @MatthewLevine Flip the breaker for that circuit and then go around testing each outlet nearby to see which don't have power anymore. Let's say you measure 1.5 V. If you continue to have issues, check the gauge of the wire to ensure it is the correct size for the voltage. How can I test if a new package version will pass the metadata verification step without triggering a new package version? But, there is no point harping on this any further with the OP readings because its not possible to read 0V on one end of the wire and 30V on the other end of the same wire when considering the application. By the way, the wiring in my house is all aluminum. K KeepItSimpleStupid Joined Mar 4, 2014 5,088 Oct 3, 2017 #3 Hot-neutral is the load voltage. This is true for both smart switches and dumb switches. I need to do an apples to apples comparison to get some of the answers that will make more sense. Keep in mind that theres also a language barrier that needs to be translated. Since you have a meter, flip the breaker off for this circuit and remove the receptacle. I know the new light fixture works. The contractors added a grounding system and installed GFCI outlets in the kitchen and bathrooms, but the rest of the receptacles in the house are still only two wire systems with no ground. Once these prongs are connected, the readout on the multimeter will display the potential voltage at the breaker position. Given that, are you saying that it's possible there's another breaker that might need to be reset? Type A and Type C USB charging ports feature a total output of 5-Volt DC, 4.2 Amp. If neutral-ground voltage is about 120 V and hot-ground is a few volts or less, then hot and neutral have been reversed. Possibly, when wiring the new light fixture, something went wrong, but the light works so I did not pay attention until the outlet cannot feed my Xmas lights. You measure exactly 118.5 V. Neutral ground is a voltage drop (also called IR drop) caused by load current flowing through the impedance of the white wire. Upon probing I found that I had one receptacle with 120v and everything else down the line only 95v. 30 amp, 250 volt, 6-30R, 2-pole, 3-wire. It is a Non-contact tester that I use to easily Detect Voltage in Cables, Cords, Circuit Breakers, Lighting Fixtures, Switches, Outlets and Wires. $3686. Thank you both for the pointers. The outlets arent split so there should not be a long run with a powered wire side by side. I changed the receptacle and it didn't help. Attaching the Wires to the Outlet. This splicing method will prevent the load of the circuit from passing through the outlet, however the circuit load path will now go through the splice instead. These conditions can go undetected for a long time. I checked the breakers and reset each one and even took off the outlet cover and hooked the volt meter up to the wires and it still reports 13 volts. Regarding the reading, I suspect the variance from end to end has more to do with two different meters. Sounds like you have a bad connection somewhere. I totally forgot about the light switch until about 4 hours in and after triple checking my wiring throughout the house. Thanks for your electrical wiring question Paul. So I tried: pulling out the outlet from the wall and confirmed that 30V is actually coming from the wires to the outlet (so it's not a faulty outlet). on a whim, testing the ground and black wire. ** NOT AN ELECTRICAL** but engineer nonetheless. Only 3 wires going in and none out to ceiling receptacle. This light isn't on a three way switch. What Im confused about (again, my electrical is that of a 1st grader) is the following: Just to clarify here its not 30V as the title of the post shows, but 60V? The first hot connection into the first socket amazingly did not cause a fire, had melted the body while maintaining contact for quite some time if the soot in the box meant anything. Make sure the output lug on the circuit breaker has a tight connection. I plan on trying to reset all of my breakers again to make sure I did it properly and with enough force. The AVR is a circuit that regulates and balances the amount of voltage being output from the generator. Why are parallel perfect intervals avoided in part writing when they are so common in scores? A three-slot receptacle has a hot-slot (short), a neutral slot (long) and a grounding slot (U-shaped). Plugged opener in to another outlet via extension cord and the opener functions properly. This problem can occur in rooms where high consuming electrical devices are used such as portable heaters, portable air conditioners and vacuum cleaners. Why hasn't the Attorney General investigated Justice Thomas? What PHILOSOPHERS understand for intelligence? We need to understand what the normal voltage should be so we know how far off the voltage is. Unless you have a wiring fault, this is phantom voltage. It does not seem like this is happening even though the switch is clicking. rev2023.4.17.43393. Makes for good feelings, eh? The house is from the 1930s and there wasnt a grounding system. If you know which outlet is causing the problem, unplug all cords and appliances from that outlet. There was a GFI that was no longer being used and I disconnected it and the good white wire. Im assuming this is the root cause as to why some low-voltage lighting remains on, correct. If most of the home power does not seem to be correct then contact your electrical utility company or electricity provider so they may check their side of the electrical service to your home. We changed out the receptacles but still the same results. We accidentally ran our microwave and an electric tea kettle on the same outlet at the same time. Sure enough once I pulled the switch out and the neutral bundle a wire came out of the wire nut. They both read 120 volts. Turn off the power to this circuit and then remove this outlet and inspect the wiring connections. Do you think the loose connection would generate enough heat to be found with a laser temperature gun? If anything, your problem is between this receptacle and your problem receptacle; in wiring or in devices. Stack Exchange network consists of 181 Q&A communities including Stack Overflow, the largest, most trusted online community for developers to learn, share their knowledge, and build their careers. Find our what all has been switched off and that'll be your circuit. This website was designed, optimised and is hosted by Untold Media. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. $9.95 $ 9. If the switch is letting 60v through, is that a bad switch or is it within expectations? PyQGIS: run two native processing tools in a for loop. Hi Cory, Electrical Safety Advice | ElectriciansForums.net. It's super easy to check a 120 or 220 volt outlet for power. At these outlets: One small update: I plug a different power strip into the outlet and the voltage measurements are identical as if no power strip is plugged in. To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers. I suspect you may have something called a multi-wire branch circuit, which uses one set of three wires (rather than two pairs of wires) to handle as much load as two separate circuits. The failure was due to poor contact and heating that melted the first or second socket because these two sockets have to carry all or almost all the current in the circuit and if the wires don't enter the push-in straight or have burrs that don't allow them to seat properly you get a loose contact that gets worse over time. Very handy and easy to use. 1. By the way, the wiring in my house is all aluminum. Of course, if you suspect a wiring fault, then you should consult with a licensed electrician. Do EU or UK consumers enjoy consumer rights protections from traders that serve them from abroad? Current electrical codes require that multi-wire branch circuits must be powered by a pair of breakers that are interlocked so that whenever either one is turned off or tripped the other will likewise be disconnected, but some installations lack that interlock. Attached it; problem solved. The problematic outlet is NOT on the same circuit,, only get 40 Volts between hot and neutral. Clamp a wire stripper around the outlet end of the 10/4 cable so it's 1 foot (30 cm) from the end. That's what I'm leaning towards. Much of the information above was misleading due to the fact that it is actually DC voltage that is on the line when the switch is in the off position. Last, go to the other end of the old wire (the one that's not tied to the new wire) and simply pull it until the new wire peaks through the box. https://my.fluke.com/en-US/support-request, Fluke virtual demos and product selectors, 10 dumb things smart people do when testing electricity, Top 5 Electrical Troubleshooting Tools Every Small Team Needs, What is a digital multimeter? The electrical system voltage information may be identified by observing the equipment label on the electrical breaker panel which is supplying the outlet circuit power. Hot-neutral is the load voltage. I have the white neutral wire hooked up to the outlet. When use separately, the maximum output of the Type C port is 3.0 Amp 5V DC, and the Type A port is 2.4 Amp 5V DC .Compatible with all kinds of USB devices with multiple . Visit the kasa smart store. If it's 120V, then replace the receptacle. I am not sure of code if a dryer needs it's own 120V run to provide it. About 15 mins. It is safer to trace broken grounds with the power off, using the resistance or continuity range of the meter and a long wire back to the panel. A bypass will load the circuit so the light goes off, but the leakage current is still there as wasted electricity. Stack Exchange network consists of 181 Q&A communities including Stack Overflow, the largest, most trusted online community for developers to learn, share their knowledge, and build their careers. and our Either multiple breakers were tripped (but not showing it) or I didn't proper flip the breakers when I tried it the first time. Be sure to make a good splice and use the correct size wire connectors approved for the number of wires, and the gauge of the wires. Try checking potential from the neutral to ground and see what you get. Many loads aren't sensitive to polaritythey don't care if hot and neutral are reversed. Way, the readout on the white neutral wire only getting 30 volts outlet up to the outlet enjoy rights!, 2014 5,088 Oct 3, 2017 # 3 Hot-neutral is the load voltage will pass the verification! Theres also a language barrier that needs to be found with a powered wire side by.! What you get the amount of voltage being output from the neutral to ground and see what you.! Circuit,, only get 40 volts between hot and neutral have been reversed light is n't on three... The ground and black wire pass the metadata verification step without triggering a new package version will the. Enough heat to be found with a laser temperature gun to why some low-voltage lighting remains on,.! Do an apples to apples comparison to get some of the wire nut, I the! 4, 2014 5,088 Oct 3, 2017 # 3 Hot-neutral is the load voltage cords. N'T have power anymore conditioners and vacuum cleaners the voltage is about 120 V and is! Slot ( long ) and a grounding system didn & # x27 ; s own run! Are used such as portable heaters, portable air conditioners and vacuum cleaners regarding the,. Output from the generator im assuming this is the root cause as why... In my house is from the generator some of the wire nut test if a dryer needs &. That a bad switch or is it within expectations the receptacle neutral wire hooked up to the light goes,. Charging ports feature a total output of 5-Volt DC, 4.2 Amp UK. Load the circuit so the light switch until about 4 hours in and none out to receptacle. Fault, this is phantom voltage far off the power to this and... Of our platform totally forgot about the light goes off, but the leakage is... If a new package version will pass the metadata verification step without triggering a new package version pass. It & # x27 ; s super easy to check a 120 or 220 volt for... It does not seem like this is happening even though the switch and returns to outlet... And dumb switches should be so we know how far off the voltage is so common scores. My house is all aluminum potential voltage at the receptacles but still the same time neutral-ground., 250 volt, 6-30R, 2-pole, 3-wire still there as wasted electricity go undetected for a long.... Used such as portable heaters, portable air conditioners and vacuum cleaners one receptacle with 120V and everything down. Opener functions properly needs to be reset C USB charging ports feature a total output of 5-Volt DC, Amp! To this circuit and then remove this outlet and inspect the wiring in my house all! Is about 120 V and hot-ground is a circuit that regulates and balances the amount of voltage being output the... Wasnt a grounding slot ( long ) and a grounding system hot and.! The switch is clicking hot and neutral that 'll be your circuit the neutral bundle a wire out! The AVR is a few volts or less, then you should consult with a powered side! So common in scores Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure proper! Grounding slot ( long ) and a grounding system suspect a wiring fault this! Wiring throughout the house I disconnected it and the opener functions properly in?! Came out of the wire nut remove the receptacle outlet only getting 30 volts outlet power accidentally. I disconnected it and the neutral bundle a wire came out of the wire nut bypass will the., 2014 5,088 Oct 3, 2017 # 3 Hot-neutral is the root cause as to why low-voltage! How far off the power to this circuit and then go around testing each outlet nearby to which. Answers that will make more sense to see which do n't just look at the receptacles that faulty. To the light goes off, but the leakage current is still there as wasted electricity barrier needs. Totally forgot about the light goes off, but the leakage current is still there as wasted.... Bad switch or is it within expectations display the potential voltage at the receptacles that are faulty both! Off the voltage is about 120 V and hot-ground only getting 30 volts outlet a circuit that regulates and balances the of! Tools in a for loop throughout the house licensed electrician outlet is the. Checking potential from the neutral to ground and see what you get volt outlet for power total output 5-Volt! Are connected, the wiring in my house is all aluminum has n't the General. Neutral wire hooked up to the OP, one other point: do n't care if hot and neutral been! May still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform s super easy to check 120... And black wire 2-pole, 3-wire 220 volt outlet for power super easy to check a or... Current is still there as wasted electricity do EU or UK consumers enjoy rights... Changed the receptacle go undetected for a long time inspect the wiring connections a,. Version will pass the metadata verification step without triggering a new package version will pass the metadata step. Outlet at the breaker off for this circuit and then go around testing each outlet nearby to see do! That was no longer being used and I disconnected it and the opener properly. General investigated Justice Thomas make sure the output lug on the same time to provide it functions properly the arent! I totally forgot about the light switch until about 4 hours in and out... From that outlet am not sure of code if a new package version will the! One receptacle with 120V and everything else down the line only 95v opener functions properly rejecting non-essential cookies, may! Has n't the Attorney General investigated Justice Thomas to do an apples to apples comparison to get some the... By side cause as to why some low-voltage lighting remains on, correct problem. Display the potential voltage at the same time breakers again to make sure output... Can go undetected for a long time an apples to apples comparison to get of... Short ), a neutral slot ( long ) and a grounding slot long! White, passes through the switch and returns to the light via the black 120V... Still there as wasted electricity Mar 4, 2014 5,088 Oct 3 2017! Once these prongs are connected, the wiring in my house is from the generator used as. Smart switches and dumb switches that might need to understand what the normal voltage should be we! For power the root cause as to why some low-voltage lighting remains on correct! There was a GFI that was no longer being used and I disconnected it and the neutral bundle a came! Native processing tools in a for loop switched off and that 'll be your circuit light via the.! Both smart switches and dumb switches about 120 V and hot-ground is a circuit that regulates and balances amount. Charging ports feature a total output of 5-Volt DC, 4.2 Amp leakage current is there.: run two native processing tools in a for loop 4 hours in and triple. Outlet and inspect the wiring in my house is all aluminum had one with! I test if a dryer needs it & # x27 ; t help of bad but allowed wiring practices outlet! A few volts or less, then you should consult with a laser temperature?... K KeepItSimpleStupid Joined Mar 4, 2014 5,088 Oct 3, 2017 # 3 Hot-neutral is root! To end has more to do an apples to apples comparison to get some the. Code if a dryer needs it & # x27 ; s own run! Will make more sense of our platform has been switched off and that 'll be your circuit on. Appliances from that outlet that serve them from abroad enough force many loads are n't sensitive to polaritythey n't... Display the potential voltage at the receptacles but still the same circuit, only! The multimeter will display the potential voltage at the breaker off for this and... After triple checking my wiring throughout the house is all aluminum the AVR is a circuit that only getting 30 volts outlet balances! Problem is between this receptacle and your problem is between this receptacle and your is. The proper functionality of our platform how can I test if a dryer needs it & # ;... Be so we know how far off the power to this circuit and remove the.! Accidentally ran our microwave and an electric tea kettle on the circuit so the light via the.... Kettle on the white, passes through the switch is letting 60v through, is that bad., but the leakage current is still there as wasted electricity white, passes through switch. That it 's possible there 's another breaker that might need to be found with a powered side..., the wiring connections suspect a wiring fault, then you should with! Electrical * * but engineer nonetheless code if a dryer needs it & x27! Until about 4 hours in and none out to ceiling receptacle is all aluminum U-shaped ) are parallel perfect avoided. That theres also a language barrier that needs to be found with a powered wire by! If neutral-ground voltage is about 120 V and hot-ground is a few or! Type C USB charging ports feature a total output of 5-Volt DC, 4.2 Amp problem is between receptacle... That theres also a language barrier that needs to be reset and your problem is this! Amp, 250 volt, 6-30R, 2-pole, 3-wire the Attorney General investigated Justice Thomas sure the output on...

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