80V line to ground

[mikeinont]

Called in by homeowner trying to sell house, home inspector's little receptacles tester showed an open ground, when I put my meter on it the circuit showed 80volts line to ground and 120volts line to neutral. I open some boxes but haven't found anything, any ideas? I'm going back tomorrow. Thanks Mike

 

[iwire]

Called in by homeowner trying to sell house, home inspector's little receptacles tester showed an open ground, when I put my meter on it the circuit showed 80volts line to ground and 120volts line to neutral. I open some boxes but haven't found anything, any ideas?

You have an open ground and your using a digital meter.

Do you have any wiggys?

 

[MF Dagger]

Buried open air splice with wire nuts barely on and plenty of electrical tape.

 

[Mr.Sparkle]

Or a smashed staple, finish nail, framing nail, drywall screw etc.... find where home run is and see if it is on the line or load side at that point, then find it.

 

[quogueelectric]

You have an open ground and your using a digital meter.

Do you have any wiggys?

I totally concur with this diagnosis however I would check for continuity from neutral to ground then work the circuit back until I found the unmade slice on the ground wire. Fast fix just run a ground to the missing recept and call it a day.I am not a friend of the wiggy. Fluke all the way for me.

 

[mivey]

I totally concur with this diagnosis however I would check for continuity from neutral to ground then work the circuit back until I found the unmade slice on the ground wire. Fast fix just run a ground to the missing recept and call it a day.I am not a friend of the wiggy. Fluke all the way for me.

Me three

 

[jes25]

Fast fix just run a ground to the missing recept and call it a day.

That fast fix would be a code violation. The ground has to be run with the circuit conductors. I also imagine that there is other equipment, lights for example, missing a ground as well. Is there only one wire in the box? If not there is probably something downstream without a ground as well.

Mike I would turn off that circuit and see what goes off. Take note of what is on that circuit renergize and see where the ground is lost. Then check the nearby receps/switches until you narrow it down. I personally doubt the cable is damaged in the wall, but it does happen. My money is on a broken ground somewhere in a box.

 

[MF Dagger]

How old of a house is this? Could be a floating ground bootlegged in somewhere

 

[mikeinont]

Thanks all for the help, much appreciated, it is a much older home that has been totally renowed and there is some older style romex. When I phoned the h.o. he cancelled on me, apparently he doesn't think it is a big issue. Thanks again Mike