PDA

View Full Version : "Zero" between Hot and Neutral, but Hot Neutral and Hot Hot to Ground


hoser4000
Mar 25, 2009, 06:39 AM
Hello! Our neighbor plugged in her vacuum yesterday. It ran for a second then shut off.
All circuit breakers were set (and cycled off-on just to make sure).
Troubleshooting: Hot to Neutral showed 0V. Hot to Ground showed 115V. Neutral to Ground also showed 115V.. Changed out the outlet and still have same indications. And (obviously) the circuit breaker isn't popping.
Any advice? Thanks!

Perito
Mar 25, 2009, 06:59 AM
There is an "open" neutral somewhere.

Check the connections of the neutral (the wirenuts) and make sure they're tight. Make sure the neutral wire coming from the plug is actually in the bundle and securely fastened. It might be in another box or even in the circuit panel. There could be a broken wire, but that is somewhat less common.

If you can guess at the route the wire takes, you can check the outlet that you think comes before this box in the circuit. It's likely along the same wall or an adjacent wall. Wires are normally run in a reasonable fashion (otherwise, it takes too much wire).

hoser4000
Mar 25, 2009, 07:26 AM
Perito. I'll give all those recommendations a try. Thanks for the quick reply!