While replacing some lights in my bathroom of a house that is over forty years old; I discovered through my test meter that my voltage is around 140 volts. What would be causing this if it is affecting the entire house not just one or two circuts?

This condition can cause fires.

Since you have a volt meter, use it to check all outlets, and discontinue use of any circuit that the voltage is less than 114 and more than 126 volts, shut off the breaker, before any damage is done to appliances.


There is a loose neutral, probably from a shared neutral for two circuits. If there are any 3 wire cables leaving the panel, then good chance is you have a multiwire branch circuit with a shared neutral.

Can also be caused by a loose connection on the utility neutral, but then the abnormal voltages will be through out the house. Just a few outlets, then it is a branch circuit.

If there is any indication it is from the utility, call them ASAP.

These can be tough to find, need to go through each outlet, switch, junction box, starting at the panel, check all connections and splices, paying special attention to white wires.

A popular bad connection is wires plugged into the back of receptacles, switches, etc.
Change any of these to wrap around the screw type connection.

If you not good at working on wiring, live, have all the tools and voltage meters/testers needed, then best hire a good troubleshooting service electrician.

We have the same readings throughout our entire house and we checked a neighbors out let and got the same reading. We will be calling the electric supplier ASAP.

Update, our voltage is just fine. Turns out it was the meter; a neighbor double checked it with his meter and we rechecked it with another meter and the reading was 120 volts. So it looks like Sears is going to be replacing a multimeter in the next few days.