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    monicarick's Avatar
    monicarick Posts: 2, Reputation: 1
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    #1

    Jan 22, 2010, 03:24 PM
    Outlet controlled by light switch is reading 79 volts why
    I have a set of outlets that the top outlet is controlled by a light switch. They do not work. I get a reading of 79v at all the outlets and at the switch. The bottom outlets all work and read 120v. The breaker controls all of them.

    Any suggestions
    mail box's Avatar
    mail box Posts: 3, Reputation: 1
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    #2

    Jan 22, 2010, 04:04 PM

    Check voltage from hot to ground,if 120 then look for a bad neutral
    johnmprince's Avatar
    johnmprince Posts: 56, Reputation: 4
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    #3

    Jan 22, 2010, 04:30 PM

    This is called a "split receptacle". The upper and lower portions are separated by the removal of a small metal tab between them on the "hot" side. The upper and lower share the neutral, that tab is intact. If you are getting 79 volts on both sides of the switch then check the connections on the feed to the switch. If one side is 120 then replace the switch.
    monicarick's Avatar
    monicarick Posts: 2, Reputation: 1
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    #4

    Jan 23, 2010, 07:56 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by johnmprince View Post
    This is called a "split receptacle". The upper and lower portions are separated by the removal of a small metal tab between them on the "hot" side. The upper and lower share the neutral, that tab is intact. If you are getting 79 volts on both sides of the switch then check the connections on the feed to the switch. If one side is 120 then replace the switch.

    With the switch out, the reading between the wires is 79. The main wire coming into the wall socket controls the bottom outles on the recepticals AND 2 banks of over head ceiling lights, these all work fine with a reading of 120. The power is there but not to that one switch. Can wires go bad so that they do not deliver enough juice?
    hermanwachs's Avatar
    hermanwachs Posts: 28, Reputation: 0
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    #5

    Jan 23, 2010, 08:57 AM

    Though anything is possible, I would say that wires don't "go bad". What do go bad are connections. Check the connections. Determine where the wire carrying power to the switch comes from. There is a good chance the problem is there. You're dropping 40 volts somewhere, this should be attended to.
    Stratmando's Avatar
    Stratmando Posts: 11,188, Reputation: 508
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    #6

    Jan 23, 2010, 09:13 AM

    If you are measuring across the 2 wires at switch, with switch off, or wires disconnected, then you are reading voltage through overhead ceiling lights.
    Are you measuring across switch, from ground, from neutral?
    johnmprince's Avatar
    johnmprince Posts: 56, Reputation: 4
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    #7

    Jan 23, 2010, 11:49 AM

    All these measurements should be to the neutral.
    Stratmando's Avatar
    Stratmando Posts: 11,188, Reputation: 508
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    #8

    Jan 23, 2010, 01:14 PM

    I'm just wondering if he is measuring across the switch when it is open?
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