Trying to ensure I understand theory and avoid a shock hazard

[Mustwin351]

The other day I had to change a ballast on a can light. Turned off the switch to kill the light to change it out. I opened up the j box of the can light that the ballast is connected to in order to disconnect the wiring to the ballast. I never opened the joints inside the junction box just removed the wires to the ballast. So the only exposed wires were the ones that went to the old ballast. In doing so the grounded conductor got away from me and touched the box with a decent spark. This is not a multiwire branch circuit by the way. With my multimeter I read 1.5v from the grounded concutor to the j box. From the hot I had 0 volts to ground. A current reading from the grounded conductor to the can showed 2.5 Amps flowing. I’m thinking by touching the grounded conductor to ground I simply created a low impedance parallel path for current to flow for lights that are in another room. My question is if I accidentally touched the grounded conductor while my body is grounded would my body provide enough resistance for it not to be a shock hazard? Since the joints on the grounded conductor were not opened I would think in theory it would not be a shock hazard. Your thoughts?

 

[KnightPower]

A loaded neutral wire, daisy chained will make you question all your training and experience. Like Holt says.. "Just turn it off"

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

 

[LarryFine]

The 1.5v is a relatively low voltage, like a battery, and would not likely shock you. The spark occurred because of the relatively high current.

The source is voltage drop on the still-loaded neutral conductor, unbroken by switching, which bring it away from the EGC's zero volts.

You would possibly read that same voltage-to-ground at the panel supplying this circuit, especially if it's not where the neutral is bonded.

 

[Mustwin351]

Thanks Larry. That was my thinking but seeing a spark while trying to wire in a new ballast in a tight space makes you second guess yourself like knightpowwr stated.

 

[Russs57]

Mustwin351, it could be worse. I had to change one the other day. Public bathroom in a handicapped stall. Guess I should have known that it wasn’t on the switch. 277 volt and it got me good.