What Does It Mean if You Get a Low Voltage Reading When You Test a Wall Outlet

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Why Exercise I Have Lower Voltage Readings?

Ed in Kansas asks; Why is there only 48volts betwixt the neutral and ground on an electric outlet? How to Identify the Cause of a Low Voltage Condition of an Outlet.

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Depression Voltage on an Outlet
Electrical Question: Why is at that place 48volts betwixt the neutral and basis on an electrical outlet?

• While re-tiling our kitchen, I pulled all outlets away from their boxes in order to tile right up to the box. On one outlet I noticed a dim led in my circuit tester on the basis side.
• I put a voltmeter on information technology and noted that there is near 48volts neutral to ground. Hot to Neutral is 120volt, but the Hot to ground is well-nigh 60volts too.
• None of the other outlets on this circuit accept this problem.
• This outlet has been working, but I am non convinced it is OK now that I have discovered this anomaly.
• I also swapped the circuit breaker with another and the trouble remains, so information technology is not the circuit breaker.
• I was thinking of replacing this outlet with a GFCI outlet, simply my guess is that it would continually trip. What do you think is the problem?

Additional Comments: Good job!
Groundwork: Ed, a Homeowner from Prairie Hamlet, Kansas.

Dave'southward Respond:
Thanks for your Electric Repair Question Ed.

Depression Voltage Readings at an Electrical Outlet

Application: Troubleshooting a Depression Volt Problem with an Outlet Circuit.
Skill Level: Advanced. This electric wiring project is best performed past a Licensed Electrical Contractor or Certified Electrician.
Tools Required: Bones Electricians Pouch Paw Tools, Voltage Tester or Volt Ohm Meter.
Estimated Time: Depends on the blazon and age of the electric wiring and the access to the circuits and wiring to be evaluated.
Precaution: This is a project that should be performed past a Licensed Electrical Contractor and typically requires specific tests of the electrical circuits.
Notice: Repairs to Abode Electrical Wiring should be done according to local and national electrical codes and installing new or replacement electrical parts or equipment may require a allow and inspections.

How to Identify the Crusade of a Low Voltage Status of an Outlet

Check the Excursion Ground Wire Bail at the Panel

A low voltage status such as this is typically an indication that the excursion ground wire may not be properly bonded at the panel, or the basis wire may non be attached or properly spliced at a connection point within the circuit.

Cheque the Footing Wire inside the Circuit

If the basis wire is properly bonded at the console location and so boosted tests should be performed.

NOTE: A depression voltage condition such as this is may exist caused past a fault with the neutral wire. The process explained beneath will help to place the location of the faulty wire or a connection is causing the low voltage condition. Voltage tests are made at each outlet that is on the same excursion as the affected outlet.

The following is an case of a method used to identify a low voltage problem on an outlet:

• Bank check for loose or faulty wiring connections at the power source before the outlet with low voltage.
• Use a good quality non-digital meter that will not produce inductive readings. The exam leads should be placed on the circuit wire, not the outlet.
• Have voltage readings at all of the outlets that are on the aforementioned circuit.

Electrical Tests and Observations

• If you get 120 volt readings on the tester between the hot-to-ground you will need to shut off the excursion and make a continuity test for each wire leading from each outlet that is continued to the problem outlet.
• Pay special attention to the test readings of the basis wire, and await for loss of continuity, which volition indicate a problem with the wire, or a faulty connectedness or splice.
• The continuity test is best accomplished using a spare insulated wire that is fastened to one wire at a time at the problem outlet enabling a loop back examination to the source outlet where the tester is located.
• Annotation: Your checking for Continuity with the circuit power Off. A full continuity reading with no resistance for each wire volition bespeak a normal condition. Proceed in heed that a continuity test is a low-voltage test and the circuit may act differently when 110 to 120 volts is restored. If there is a problem between two locations so you may have a damaged cable inside the wall.
• Damaged cablevision occurs during the nailing procedure of framing, chiffonier installation, or drywall installation.
• If yous get 60v (or 0v) hot-to-footing, your problem is located before the outlet and you may have a broken footing from the power source to the afflicted outlet.

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Source: https://ask-the-electrician.com/why-do-i-have-lower-voltage-readings/outlets/

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