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    nkis's Avatar
    nkis Posts: 2, Reputation: 1
    New Member
     
    #1

    Jul 2, 2008, 12:59 PM
    Hot to grnd shows 120v
    The 120v light on the tested comes up when it touch hot and the ground(bare). Is this normal?

    More info:

    The 120v light comes on when I touch the neutral(white) and the hot(black). I think this is OK.

    The light doesn't come up when I touch the neutral(white) and the ground(bare). I think this is OK as well.
    Stratmando's Avatar
    Stratmando Posts: 11,188, Reputation: 508
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    #2

    Jul 2, 2008, 02:01 PM
    All your test are normal and OK. Ground and Neutral are at the same potential.
    nkis's Avatar
    nkis Posts: 2, Reputation: 1
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    #3

    Jul 2, 2008, 03:18 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by Stratmando
    All your test are normal and OK. Ground and Neutral are at the same potential.
    Thanks for the response.

    However, at other receptacles, the light comes on only when I touch hot(black) and neutral (white).

    Just worrying as to why only at one light location, the hot and ground turn on my tester light.
    If this happened else where I would be less worried, and assume normal as you say.
    stanfortyman's Avatar
    stanfortyman Posts: 5,598, Reputation: 279
    Electrical & Lighting Expert
     
    #4

    Jul 2, 2008, 03:25 PM
    Not having voltage between the hot and ground terminals of a receptacle is not a good thing. That means someone replaces a non-grounding type (2-prong) receptacle with a grounding type where no ground is present.
    Stratmando's Avatar
    Stratmando Posts: 11,188, Reputation: 508
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    #5

    Jul 2, 2008, 05:08 PM
    If you are getting voltage between hot and neutral, and not hot and ground on a 3 prong receptacle then the green or bare wire is not making a connection, plastic boxes will need a ground wire connected to the receptacle. If Metal, you use to rely on metal conduit and boxes. It proved to be dangerous if a short was present and conduit was separated. It would not trip breaker but could shock/kill someone going through an attic and grabbed both sides. Attics are hot down here and sweat makes it more dangerous.
    Do you have grounds present in recepticles? Panel will give a quick indication of what wire is used.

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