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thoml
May 23, 2010, 04:11 PM
I am getting only half voltage at a 120v electrical outlet. The outlet is on a GFI circuit, but the other outlets on that circuit are fine. I have tripped and reset the GFCI. It tripped and reset fine, but had no effect on the outlet in question. I have removed the receptacle and checked the voltage across the wires (black to white) and I only get half voltage there as well. The voltage from black to ground is 120V. Voltage from white to ground is 0. Does anyone have an idea what the problem might be?

I have a problem similar to this one. I recently moved into an existing house that's had many add-ons, remodels, etc. done over the years.

The outdoor light that's over my back deck doesn't work; I opened it up (and completely disconnected the existing fixture) to check the voltage. There are two light switches right inside the door - they aren't in a double-box; they're mounted side by side, but in individual boxes. When both switches are off, voltage registers, but only about 1.5v. When either one of the switches are on (or if both are on), the voltage reads 53v-54v.

Thanks in advance,
Thom

KISS
May 23, 2010, 05:30 PM
This is basically a phantom voltage. When you put a load on it it will disappear. It's typically due to leakage paths in connected components.

You also need to look at the voltages of Line and Neutral relative to ground.

Missouri Bound
May 23, 2010, 06:22 PM
THOMI... start you own thread no matter how similar it is to the one you jumped on.