Phantom Voltage???

[NolaTigaBait]

i have 120 volts at the fixture with the switch on and 86 with the switch off...is this phantom voltage?...

 

[mdshunk]

i have 120 volts at the fixture with the switch on and 86 with the switch off...is this phantom voltage?...

If you measured with a DMM, it sure is.

 

[mikeames]

Is it a dimer or digital switch? Or is it a plain old toggle on/off??

 

[NolaTigaBait]

it's a plain single pole switch and i used my digital multi meter to test voltage...

 

[electricalperson]

use a wiggy to measure it. ive seen this many times with people that use high impedance meters. i have a fluke 117 with a lo impedance function that i use when i suspect something like that is up

 

[NolaTigaBait]

Marc, what kind of meter can i use to not get "phantom voltage"...the only reason why i broke out the meter was because my volt-pen was reading hot with the switch off and when i tested it i got those readings...

 

[NolaTigaBait]

thanks, i'll look into a low-impedence meter

 

[LarryFine]

Mr. Bait, two things:

If you're measuring voltage across the fixture with the bulb in place, somethin is wrong. The load should be enough to eliminate phantom voltage.

The non-contact tester may be indicating that the neutral, and not the hot, is being switched. It responds to voltage to earth, not between points.

Added:

thanks, i'll look into a low-impedence meter

Measuring voltage across a load accomplishes the same thing. Even a 7-watt night-light bulb works.

 

[NolaTigaBait]

i was testing it with the fixture out....from wire to wire...and i thinkk that you may be right that the neutral was switched

 

[iwire]

Worth a read http://www.nema.org/stds/eng-bulletins/upload/Bulletin-88.pdf

 

[steelersman]

Worth a read http://www.nema.org/stds/eng-bulletins/upload/Bulletin-88.pdf

Thanks for that link. Know I know how to deal with those voltages that used to boggle my mind.

 

[mull982]

Mr. Bait, two things:

If you're measuring voltage across the fixture with the bulb in place, somethin is wrong. The load should be enough to eliminate phantom voltage.

Why is this? I've had a similar problem before with a starter coil?

 

[quogueelectric]

I dont believe in ghost voltage. Every voltage is there for a reason and if you cant figure it out keep learning until you can figure it out. Voltage can be a complicated study.

 

[LarryFine]

Why is this? I've had a similar problem before with a starter coil?

Many starters have some switching in the 'neutral' side of the control circuit.

 

[iwire]

I dont believe in ghost voltage. Every voltage is there for a reason and if you cant figure it out keep learning until you can figure it out. Voltage can be a complicated study.

It is not ghost voltage it is phantom voltage and if you take the time to follow the link I posted you will learn what the reason for it is.