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-   -   "HOT" Neutral wire in outlet box? Cause? (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/showthread.php?t=295898)

  • Dec 26, 2008, 03:34 PM
    chasleroy
    "HOT" Neutral wire in outlet box? Cause?
    Using outlet box with power and 3 neutrals(tied together/insulated) I want to use for adding a light fixture. Separated wires and found voltage on one of the neutral wires (measured ground wire to N). Any condition where power on the neutral lead is OK?
  • Dec 26, 2008, 03:43 PM
    21boat

    How or what did you use to test for the power on the neutral? And are you sure it a neutral wire from the start?
  • Dec 26, 2008, 05:08 PM
    stanfortyman
    First off, you separated these wires with the power ON??
    If so that almost precludes you from doing any further electrical work. :rolleyes:
    This was not a smart thing to do.

    Yes, there are times you will find "power" on an actual neutral wire. One is a back feed from a load on the circuit
  • Dec 26, 2008, 05:11 PM
    chasleroy

    Used a VOM, measured from ground wire to the 3 white leads, tied together with wingnut.
    One of them measured, range from 38 to as high as 90vac.
  • Dec 26, 2008, 06:07 PM
    KISS

    That voltage gets backfed by filters and such in electronic devices. (By itself, it's no cause for alarm. A steady voltage or ~60 V would be worth investigating. With no appriciable current being drawn by the VOM, the voltage will be all over the map.

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