60V- hot to ground

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mayjong

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hey all-
i have some kitchen GFI recepticles (all on 1 string, 20A breaker)that are reading 120V hot to nuetral, and 60V hot to ground (approx) ... any thoughts on how to find/fix the problem?
thanks!
 
Check for a bad connection on the ground. Being a kitchen circuit, there can't be too many boxes that need to be opened.

Do any of the receps on the run have 120v to ground? If so, start there, and work your way away from the panel. If it's all of them, check the first recep in the line, as well as the panel.
 
thanks, i'll start at the panel. i hope there are no hidden junction boxes. it is an OLD house.(early 1900's) the kitchen wiring is romex, probably installed with no permits. i'm not sure what i'll find, and i really don't want to get too deep into it!
 
mayjong said:
i have some kitchen GFI recepticles (all on 1 string, 20A breaker)that are reading 120V hot to nuetral, and 60V hot to ground (approx)
Click to expand...
Try a solenoid-type tester, or at least a light bulb in parallel with your volt-meter. Also, look for voltage between the neutral and the EGC; there shouldn't be any.

peter d said:
It could very well be "ghost voltage" and nothing to be concerned about.
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That should not happen on conductors that are terminated. The solenoid-type tester suggestion helps eliminate this.
 
LarryFine said:
Try a solenoid-type tester, or at least a light bulb in parallel with your volt-meter. Also, look for voltage between the neutral and the EGC; there shouldn't be any.
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Unless there is no load on the circuit, you usually will read a small voltage between the EGC and neutral. The neutral is a current carrying conductor, the EGC is not. The neutral will experience voltage drop, the egc will not because it is not carrying any current. When comparing a conductor with voltage drop to a conductor without voltage drop, there will be some potential between them, but it should be a relatively small amount.
 
"If it's that old, are you sure you actually have a ground???"
there are grounds at the recepticles, and some at the panel. i thought if the grounds are connected, there would be 120v (hot to ground). i understand there could be a loose ground, but i thought that would make the voltage fluctuate(sp?)... it is a steady 60v.

"look for voltage between the neutral and the EGC; there shouldn't be any."
i'll try this, too.
 
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