[nickd70]

I believe I have a shared neutral. I was installing a new ceiling fan. I checked the circuit with a multimeter and it read 54 volts when the switch is off. I also checked the outlet that is controlled by a different switch, same result. Actually the whole house is like that. I then removed all the neutral wires in the main panel except for one breaker. Same problem. I tried this on other breakers too. Same result.

With one breaker 'hot' and the only neutral tied into the circuit, I started removing some of the neutral wires in the outlets and switch boxes. Same result. This house has about 70 outlets and 85 recessed lights and fixtures. Is there a method to isolate the problem? I even unplugged all the appliances.

Any suggestions would be great.

[Missouri Bound]

You removed all the neutral wires in tha panel? Why in the world would you do that?
Shared neutrals is not all that uncommon. If you are trying to figure out which circuit is the culprit, turn offf breakers, not disconnect neutrals. Count your circuits (120V) and count the number of neutral wires. I'll assume you have wires in conduit, not cable?
And exactly what problem is it that you have?

[stanfortyman]

I agree with MB. Removing the neutrals was a VERY poor decision. There was absolutely NO reason to do this.

[nickd70]

At the time I didn't know what to do. I promise it won't happen again. I did turn off all the breakers first, except for one. The problem still existed. That's when I decided to remove all the neutrals trying to isolate the problem. The problem is throughout the house where an outlet and ceiling fan is controlled by a switch, a total of nine places. How do I go about and tackle this problem? I notice that I have Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters on all the circuits I'm having problems. Can it be a bad circuit breaker?

[nickd70]

To reinstate my first question, I have between 45 - 54 volts on an outlet when the switch is 'off'. I also have the same voltage going to my ceiling fan box when the switch is in the'off' position. I measured across the neutral wire and the black wire.

[nickd70]

I did more testing.

I found something interesting and maybe useful. My ceiling fan box has two hot wires controlled by two separate switches and one neutral wire. When both switches are 'off', the voltage reads '0'. When both switches are 'ON', voltage reads 120V between the hot and neutral wires. BUT when one switch is 'off' and the other is'ON', the voltage at the ceiling fan box reads 54 volts on one of the hot wires and 120VAC on the other hot wire. I then remove the red wire (see diagram below) on the switch feeding the ceiling fan box. Now when I turn 'on' switch #1, it reads 120VAC, when it is 'off' I read 0 volts. I thought I solved the problem. I then went to all the bedrooms where the outlet is controlled by a wall switch, still reads 54 volts when the switch is off. I hope this info helps.

[stew_1962]

Have you removed the ceiling fan connections during this test? Or, is there still a fixture installed?

[nickd70]

There's no fixture, just a box. I'm reading about 'phantom voltage'. I may be seeing this. I am using a Fluke DMM which has a very high impedance that may not drain the voltage that's being induced by other conductors.

[stew_1962]

Connect a light bulb to the circuit in question - if you have a spare fixture of sorts, should put enough load on the circuit to answer that. If there is any substantial current, it will also glow somewhat.

[nickd70]

I will do that. I never experienced phantom voltage at my old house. I moved in to this house last year. The house is only 4 years old.

[Missouri Bound]

Buy a Wiggy

[nickd70]

I will. Tks