On a service call yesterday for a "non-working" receptacle:
Structure is an old building that is described by owner as a "Hostile" (nightly accommodations).
She was told of a receptacle (fridge) that wasn't working so I was called out.
Original wiring of structure is conduit and metal boxes, additional wiring various renos is NMB and plastic boxes.
When I looked at Recep it showed power with my NCV tester. I pulled the Recep out and checked voltage. It had 120v L->N, but only 30v L->G (metal box & conduit- no ground wire).
Thinking that was a little odd I opened up another nearby Recep (NMB & plastic box, different ckt) it had 120 L->N, and 50v L->G.
I ohm'd out N->G with no continuity.
The panel is a mess. I wasn't able to find a bonding jumper (yet).
When I checked continuity between the neutral bar and the conduits coming into panel my tester (fluke t5) rang out for continuity but also rang out for voltage (additional warning sound).
I plan to go back after the weekend and do some further checking with my other fluke meter.
...Ever have one of those service calls that just eats at you at 2am when you're trying to sleep but you can't stop trying to process the issue?... Ruins a perfectly good Saturday night sleep and sleeping in on Sunday morning!
Structure is an old building that is described by owner as a "Hostile" (nightly accommodations).
She was told of a receptacle (fridge) that wasn't working so I was called out.
Original wiring of structure is conduit and metal boxes, additional wiring various renos is NMB and plastic boxes.
When I looked at Recep it showed power with my NCV tester. I pulled the Recep out and checked voltage. It had 120v L->N, but only 30v L->G (metal box & conduit- no ground wire).
Thinking that was a little odd I opened up another nearby Recep (NMB & plastic box, different ckt) it had 120 L->N, and 50v L->G.
I ohm'd out N->G with no continuity.
The panel is a mess. I wasn't able to find a bonding jumper (yet).
When I checked continuity between the neutral bar and the conduits coming into panel my tester (fluke t5) rang out for continuity but also rang out for voltage (additional warning sound).
I plan to go back after the weekend and do some further checking with my other fluke meter.
...Ever have one of those service calls that just eats at you at 2am when you're trying to sleep but you can't stop trying to process the issue?... Ruins a perfectly good Saturday night sleep and sleeping in on Sunday morning!