Ask Experts Questions for FREE Help !
Ask
    virgybork's Avatar
    virgybork Posts: 2, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #1

    Feb 2, 2011, 07:58 AM
    Arc fault
    My meter reads 120 v between hot and neutral, no voltage between hot and ground and arc fault between neutral and ground. Outlets work OK but I found my tester reads open neutral on every outlet in my house.
    tkrussell's Avatar
    tkrussell Posts: 9,659, Reputation: 725
    Uber Member
    		  
    #2

    Feb 2, 2011, 08:07 AM
    Using a meter is the best method, you should read 120 volts across Hot and Ground, same as Hot and Neutral.

    You either have no equipment ground, or it is broken and open.

    Continue to use the meter to check this, I do not have much faith in the plug in testers.
    Stratmando's Avatar
    Stratmando Posts: 11,188, Reputation: 508
    Uber Member
    		  
    #3

    Feb 2, 2011, 08:11 AM

    If you use a Wiggy, it may trip the ARC fault, if measuring between the Hot and ground?
    virgybork's Avatar
    virgybork Posts: 2, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #4

    Feb 2, 2011, 08:58 AM
    Comment on tkrussell's post
    I can't check voltage between ground and neutral because of the arc and tripping the breaker. My meter probe on the ground almost burnt off.
    tkrussell's Avatar
    tkrussell Posts: 9,659, Reputation: 725
    Uber Member
    		  
    #5

    Feb 2, 2011, 09:21 AM
    Odd.

    Best to disconnect all wiring from the panel so a continuity test can be done between all three conductors of the circuit, hot, neutral, and grounding.

    Need to get to the basics before any other testing is done.

    Sounds like something is crossed or touching in the circuit..

    There should be no reading between any of these wires. If there is, then a light bulb may be in or an appliance is on. Unplug everything in the circuit, and remove any light bulbs. Shutting off switches should help. No device, appliance, or lamp can be in the circuit to be sure the circuit is clear.

    If all is clear, and the continuity still exists, then the circuit needs to be checked segment by segment cable to box, etc until all is clear.
Not your question? Ask your question View similar questions
 

Question Tools Search this Question
Search this Question:

Advanced Search

Add your answer here.


Check out some similar questions!

Arc-fault [ 8 Answers ]

I hate arc-faults. I just wired a new addition with 4 arc fault breakers. One kicks off randomly while the other 3 are rock solid. The bedroom is for a kid that was recently paralyzed and is in a wheelchair and his room is more of a hospital area than a bedroom. A regular circuit breaker lasted...

Arc Fault [ 1 Answers ]

Can a GFCI outlet be used on an ARC Fault circuit?

Arc Fault Breakers [ 3 Answers ]

Can a Arc Fault Breaker be used on a multi wire circuit? If the multi circuit is using 2 Arc Fault Breakers, do you pigtail the neutral in the panel? Thanks in advance

Arc Fault circuit [ 2 Answers ]

I have a 3-wire home run to the panel which supplies 2 circuits. One of the circuits supplies a bedroom and I want to comply with the arc-fault breaker protection rule. Square D indicates the common neutral will cause the arc-fault to trip. Is there a solution to this? Bob

ARC fault breakers ? [ 4 Answers ]

I see where the 2005 NEC requires ARC fault breakers on all bedroom circuits,lighting and wall recepticals. It appears that this is for new construction. Would this also apply to rewiring an old house? Thanks in advance. Tom

View more questions Search