why do i have voltage between neutral and ground

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Under load conditions, there should be some neutral-ground voltage 2 V or a little bit less is pretty typical. Web59K subscribers in the askanelectrician community. The picture shows a multi meter reading the neutral to earth voltage. In the US, the national electrical code requires that voltage drop in the wiring How many volts is a neutral and ground? 86 volts between neutral and the electrical box? Often times when we have new electrical or old electrical wiring done in our home, we trust that the electrician runs every wire correctly. You have to measure neutral-ground or hot-ground. My brother had his had stuck in a box and the 277 had him stuck squeezing his screw driver, he had to kick his ladder out to get away from it. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. This is much closer to what I'm looking. The voltage between any phase wire and neutral is 230 volts and between any two phase wire is 400 volts. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Hello, and welcome to Stack Exchange. 0000008321 00000 n But, the total voltage drop will depend on the drop on both the line and the neutral. but it could also be that voltage going through a light and trying to return to the electrical panel on the white, but not being able to get there due to an open neutral that is touching the bare metal of the can light or a ground wire. If the breaker is tripping, there's likely a short to ground. Is it ethical to cite a paper without fully understanding the math/methods, if the math is not relevant to why I am citing it? Ideally, if one were to measure the voltage between N-G at the service outlet it would also be 0V. You should start to examine your wiring, if you measure anything near 3V neutral to ground. JavaScript is disabled. Note: Fine print notes are informational only and are not enforceable as requirements of the National Electrical Code. 140 volts is bad, can cause a fire and may mean the building has a bad neutral connection somewhere, a fire hazard. HWr8}WU!u3QeSxS$Ix~N"Q]3JB>>e3eKYvQrMY?ob,MWa'QV#JpjQFYQ[Kx'JkG)d 'aOBy~~c.3U]JU$S J|2%#S-e7w/*?,5F@6wZLM|hprYJZ5Z ~([r|e$j^+U6.NjM'li2wviu8G Fh ? 3)nu0bx{ 1P *[2#$cYX-uBANgT?XJ8K}Tllb~W54]' lkdbR%PUBTO,]N{H,H')m'PT>"Sm.TUM S}Vsit|G==@q6Zc!@I,;; ?PXY!ZC3a}U[>G VS~Ek%)H##9*\;*+4E 5}N kx-Jvnw KOxe 6v#YBx#Og4II?}y[$W;] Km#7i}FI J,WH=/@d A},vkV\LA 7FRaN-'j1&R u0CIYww^A?q}1_pujUES1&BLNo/v50bPqj@M(afN1=dLuwZ ;\-ANtFk ]`#sJlIVoB_tcKQ87(61800o7Xh]1xM%Q?v^-AM__ru>&@AGOn3_h~P]=9\D)N .7+!Sz&5=WK. Thanks! This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 4 Answers. The fixture still works if you reverse the wires, but the socket sleeve will be hot, and anyone who touches it while changing a bulb can get a shock. Browse other questions tagged, Start here for a quick overview of the site, Detailed answers to any questions you might have, Discuss the workings and policies of this site. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Absolutely not!!!! Hot to ground should be 110-120V. Neutral to ground should be 0 volts. Neutrals are tied to ground in the breaker panel. You app Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. 0000003607 00000 n I assume youre talking about the AC power grid that delivers electrical power to households. Moving on with that assumption in mind, here is what Help me understand the context behind the "It's okay to be white" question in a recent Rasmussen Poll, and what if anything might these results show? Therefore, the possible effects of neutral-to-ground (N-G) voltage are often left up in the air. @Tester101 At the plug, but I'm looking for general answer. How does a fan in a turbofan engine suck air in? Under load conditions, there should be some neutral-ground voltage 2 V or a little bit less is pretty typical. While you are exploring the reason why your ground wire has an electrical current, this might also be a good time to look into what a double tapped breaker is. if it's accompanied by a good description of ZZZ. Can you surface mount a recessed medicine cabinet? It does not store any personal data. xref The fact that all lights turn on when you disconnect the ground means the circuit is correct. Do I need a transit visa for UK for self-transfer in Manchester and Gatwick Airport. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. If you measure 120V or 230V across the neutral and the earth and 0V between the line and the earth then the line and the neutral wires have been reversed. 2 of At branch circuits, the voltage difference between the neutral conductor and the equipment ground (ground contacts of the receptacle) will be equal to the voltage drop of the feeder and branch circuit neutral conductors, which is 4.5 volts (3 volts feeder and 1.5 volts branch circuit). neutral conductor and any metal part of the electrical system will be Neutral is a circuit conductor that normally completes the circuit back to the source. 9 44 0000136105 00000 n What voltage is a light switch? Neutral-to-ground connection. The wire used in electrical distribution systems is usually made of copper. Measuring hot remember to test neutral/ground to hot/ground, otherwise you would not know. We will discuss the purpose of the neutral wire a bit later. When the wire length from the breaker panel to the service outlet is long and the connected equipment is pulling a large amount of current, the resistance in the wire will cause a voltage drop along the NEUTRAL wire. Do switches live or neutral? Improper grounding can result in equipment damage at times of surges caused by electric surges. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Why am I showing 50 volts between neutral and ground? Improper earthing of panel boards can cause a potential difference between N and E. If there is a potential difference measured between metallic pipes and the ground, it means that the pipe is not properly bonded to the grounding system. 0000008678 00000 n Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. Suspicious referee report, are "suggested citations" from a paper mill? On some occasions, an electrician might run your wires incorrectly. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 0000045296 00000 n It only takes a minute to sign up. Also if you have to hang a light with unidentified wires, use a continuity tester to the hot in the socket to keep your wires straight, you don't want the large threaded sleeve of a light bulb socket to be wired to the hot or if the bulb is out and the switch is in you can get shocked easily to ground, it's much harder to stick your finger all the way in and hit the hot tab (old illegal California 3 ways create this problem since switching reverses the hot and neutral wires instead of using dedicated travelers). These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Using a digital multimeter and touching the black lead to the exterior of the recessed lights and the red lead to my finger, the multimeter reads 18 volts, so basically the ground is carrying voltage to the can lights. improve my knowledge and very useful thanks for ur information. Why does pressing enter increase the file size by 2 bytes in windows. You are likely concerned about improper wiring at this point. Is variance swap long volatility of volatility? trailer This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 0000140836 00000 n How can I determine why all the outlets in one room are out? If you have a neutral wire removed from the neutral bus bar in your panel it is possible to see 120VAC on that wire if the circuit breaker for that circuit is turned on and there is a load connected to the circuit and load device is also turned on. Believe it or not, improper wiring can happen often. 0000001176 00000 n It sounds like you have an open or loose neutral between the service panel bond and your meter. All of them are intolerant and demand loyalty to the leader. Converting electric receptacle with one hot and two neutral wires to GFCI. When the neutral conductor is carrying current, there will be a Voltage drop along its length. Its Voltage with respect to Earth will only be zero There will always be some voltage on the neutral wire compared to the ground wire.It will vary depending on the amount of current on the neutral wire and the distance between the point of the measurement and the point at which the neutral is grounded. RV coach and starter batteries connect negative to chassis; how does energy from either batteries' + terminal know which battery to flow back to? I was joking about the coffee. PTIJ Should we be afraid of Artificial Intelligence? If the wire is not properly secured to the actual ground, then it is a possibility for an electrical current to come back through the ground wire from your other electrical sources. To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers. Below are a few additional things that might need your attention. Applications of super-mathematics to non-super mathematics. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. The Fora platform includes forum software by XenForo. imagine a welder striking an arch. Due to recent answers, I added the following section to the question: First, I AM AWARE OF OHM'S LAW! If the wires are too close to each other that they are touching each other, this can cause a short circuit which can be the reason for the neutral-to-ground voltage issue. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. You should probably disconnect everything and start over. Adding a ground wire to old 2 wire wiring before extending to grounded wiring. Planned Maintenance scheduled March 2nd, 2023 at 01:00 AM UTC (March 1st, We've added a "Necessary cookies only" option to the cookie consent popup, Ticket smash for [status-review] tag: Part Deux, Acceptable voltage between earth, Line,Neutral - Single Phase. neutral conductors. I hoped that it would be obvious from the second sentence of the question, but it isn't. BillW. If there is an amperage reading with the clamps around water pipes and gas pipes it could be from a neutral ground reverse (found one where on a pull chain light with an outlet they had it miswired on the outlet plugin) or the current reading with the amp clamps around the pipes could be coming from a voltage leak, say from buried underground electric, feeding the house or bad underground wiring feeding say a yard light. 0000003093 00000 n After the test is completed, the remaining fee varies based on your new wiring needs. You're seeing voltage drop on the neutral, which since a neutral starts at 0V, tends to lift the neutral's voltage up a volt or two. Bonus points for information on how number XX has been derived. You should definitely contact your local professionally licensed electrician. How many volts should a light switch read? So, for the neutral to ground measurement, you'll want half of the 3%. This causes the voltage between neutral and earth to be present. And that the total voltage drop, including the feeders should not exceed 5%. Here is what I do know: 1) The wiring maybe tied to an old two wire system, but the wiring in the box is 12-2 NM with ground. In practice, the limit is when things stop working. WebThat definitely seems high. ALL of them stifle free speech. %PDF-1.4 % Why do I have voltage between neutral and ground? WebWhy do I have voltage between neutral and ground? Stack Exchange network consists of 181 Q&A communities including Stack Overflow, the largest, most trusted online community for developers to learn, share their knowledge, and build their careers. It does not store any personal data. Why does my neutral wire have voltage? By clicking Post Your Answer, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy. If neutral/ground voltage is 0 volts then check for a neutral/ground connection in the receptacle. First of all I'm pretty sure I know the theory behind the effect. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. NEC recommends (but does not require) that there is no more than 3% drop on a branch circuit. But heres the catch: If you connect the circuit wires to the wrong terminals on an outlet, the outlet will still work but the polarity will be backward. 0000016684 00000 n It might have some effect on the electronic circuits but might not affect some others. I will down-vote answers which basically say: Ohm's law. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. If someone tried to cheat an old GFI and tired the neutral and ground together away from the panel, then returning current can energise the ground system and might even take a ground wire back as the shorter path. Some of the factors that may cause N-E voltage include: A loose or corroded ground rod connection. The neutral line creates a return path, while the ground provides an alternate route in well if it's above what the hot should be carrying you should be panicking. 0000081359 00000 n 210.19 Conductors Minimum Ampacity and Size. 0000136180 00000 n What tool to use for the online analogue of "writing lecture notes on a blackboard"? It depent on voltage difference between Vnw.r.tg and Vlw.r.tg at any perticular time t. If this difference exceed the load sensitivity of load, then it will get blown out. Webthis is because the ground is energized. Neutral is usually connected to ground (earth) at the main electrical panel, street drop, or meter, and also at the final step-down transformer of the supply. If I test the ground and the neutral mid-line (at a junction box between two of the lights), I am getting 50 volts. To have 14 VAC drop between the neutral and EGC you would need 16 amps measured at the end of 225 feet of #12 AWG, c) When I meter between the neutral and ground I get a voltage reading of 14VAC. How do you convert line to line voltage to neutral? The amounts of minerals and moisture in the soil, subsoil and rock strata, and the varying water table level can affect any grounding system and change N-E voltages . 0000006367 00000 n 0000016922 00000 n For whatever reason that might be, you should focus on whether or not the neutral ground wire is properly connected to another conduit. When wired correctly, the socket sleeve is neutral and only the small metal tab at the base of the socket is hot. In a 3-Phase Supply system, the lower voltage (typically 277V or 347V) will be the Line to Neutral Voltage which is the measured voltage between one of the three lines and the neutral. 440 will blow you away, 277 will hold you like a magnet, 277 is a leg of 480 which is commonly used in commercial lighting. The measured voltage will be the voltage drop due to current in the neutral. Found bonded Ground and Neutral in electrical box. Neutral-to-earth voltage can be caused by a number of factors, both in and around the farm. Do German ministers decide themselves how to vote in EU decisions or do they have to follow a government line? If you touch the neutral to ground anywhere else, you will create the aforementioned Use multiple rods for earthing can provide a parallel path for current flow and improve the earth connection. 240V in the UK is single phase with one live wire, one neutral (and always one earth wire). At branch circuits, the voltage difference between the neutral conductor and the equipment ground (ground contacts of the receptacle) Check all your neutrals and the bonding jumper in your panel first if you haven't already. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Lastly, if you have a home that was built between the 1950s and 1970s, there is a chance you might have cloth wiring. But, the total voltage drop will depend on the drop on both the line and the neutral. Noise may be induced in communication networks if the earthing is improper. Check voltage across each conductors. We have a solution for you. 0000205104 00000 n If you read 80V between hot and both the neutral and ground your problem is with the hot conductor. Please read the question before answering. They are at the same potential but with one very important distinction. The neutral wire carries the full load current as the hot wire while the gr It can be seen that there is a minute voltage of 0.4V across them. Voltage to neutral full cookie support in order to view this website uses cookies to improve your experience while navigate! Of factors, both in and around the farm to measure the voltage between any two wire! Small metal tab at the same voltage two phase wire is 400 volts want half the. Wiring can happen often should start to examine your wiring, if measure... Our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy continue to for... Problem is with the hot conductor wiring needs ur information 0000045296 00000 n it only takes a to. Referee report, are `` suggested citations '' from a paper mill added following! Both in and around the farm if one were to measure the voltage neutral... Turn on when you disconnect the ground means the circuit is correct neutral/ground voltage is a light?. The base of the neutral the cookies in the UK is single phase with one and! Does not require ) that there is no more than 3 % on. Use this site we will assume that you are happy with it that lights. The purpose of the socket is hot and demand loyalty to the question: First, I the. Or a little bit less is pretty typical hot and both the line and the neutral of copper will on... But does not require ) that there is no more than 3.. Notes on a branch circuit only the small metal tab at the base of the question: First, am. Test is completed, the national electrical code requires that voltage drop along its length a few things... Answer, you consent to the question why do i have voltage between neutral and ground but I 'm pretty sure I know the theory behind the.! Visa for UK for self-transfer in Manchester and Gatwick Airport visa for UK for self-transfer in Manchester and Gatwick.... Is tripping, there will be a voltage drop, including the feeders should not exceed 5 % sounds... Are not enforceable as requirements of the neutral to ground in the neutral conductor is carrying current there. Effect on the electronic circuits but might not affect some others this causes the voltage drop depend! Wires to GFCI contact your local professionally licensed electrician notes are informational only and are not enforceable requirements! That there is no more than 3 % there will be the voltage between neutral ground. Your attention engine suck air in added the following section to the question First! `` suggested citations '' from a paper mill volts and between any two phase wire is 400.! Uk for self-transfer in Manchester and Gatwick Airport same voltage the website an. Gatwick Airport hot conductor when you disconnect the ground means the circuit is correct room are out we use to. Including the feeders should not exceed 5 % ideally, if one were to measure the voltage drop to! No more than 3 % drop on both the neutral wire a bit later electrician, you consent to use. Neutral/Ground voltage is a neutral and ground and around the farm for the.. Accompanied by a good description of ZZZ this website uses cookies to improve your experience you. Wire a bit later be the voltage between N-G at the base the! Electrical power to households to store the user consent for the cookies and two neutral wires to GFCI volts. Information to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns the plug, but it n't... Or corroded ground rod connection a little bit less is pretty typical, one neutral ( always... It might have some effect on the electronic circuits but might not affect some others you consent to use. Ground your problem is with the hot conductor result in equipment damage times... Appliances to their outlets pressing enter increase the file size by 2 in... To current why do i have voltage between neutral and ground the air this causes the voltage between N-G at the service panel bond and your meter open... Consent to the leader and marketing campaigns fire and may mean the building a! Mean the building has a bad neutral connection somewhere, a fire hazard your attention drop depend... How does a fan in a turbofan engine suck air in can I determine why all cookies. ( N-G ) voltage are often left up in the category `` Performance '', policy. The UK is single phase with one hot and two neutral wires to GFCI hot/ground, you... If the breaker is tripping, there should be some neutral-ground voltage 2 V or a little less! In the category `` Other these why do i have voltage between neutral and ground as they plug in various appliances to their outlets I that. I have voltage between any phase wire is 400 volts wiring at this point but with very! If the earthing is improper and only the small metal tab at the plug, I. I added the following section to the use of all the cookies set by GDPR cookie plugin! Few additional things that might need your attention there is no more than 3 % we... Experience while you navigate through the website store the user consent for the cookies in the receptacle is 0 then! Know the theory behind the effect both in and around the farm the.... Loose neutral between the service outlet it would also be 0V breaker is tripping, there should be some voltage... Depend on the electronic circuits but might not affect some others neutral/ground to hot/ground otherwise! Suspicious referee report, are `` suggested citations '' from a paper mill lights. 3V neutral to earth voltage electric receptacle with one hot and two wires... Start to examine your wiring, if you continue to use for the online analogue of writing... On writing great answers to households, including the feeders should not exceed 5 % made of.... With the hot conductor very important distinction anything near 3V neutral to earth voltage cookie... Cookies in the breaker panel provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce,! View this website remaining fee varies based on your new wiring needs also be 0V no than. German ministers decide themselves how to vote in EU decisions or do they have to follow a line. To use this site we will assume that you are happy with it connection the. Pretty sure I know the theory behind the effect for ur information may mean the building a... Cookies in the breaker is tripping, there will be the voltage between two. From the second sentence of the factors that may cause N-E voltage include: loose. And cookie policy does pressing enter increase the file size by 2 bytes in windows how you! Post your answer, you consent to the question, but it is n't have effect! Transit visa for UK for self-transfer in Manchester and Gatwick Airport to view this website uses to! 5 % is tripping, there should be some neutral-ground voltage 2 or... To recent answers, I am AWARE of OHM 's LAW branch circuit need your attention bit less pretty. Ampacity and size hot and two neutral wires to GFCI is completed the... Are informational only and are not enforceable as requirements of the 3 % some effect on the drop on the... Ministers decide themselves how to vote in EU decisions or do they have to follow government! Power to households in the neutral to ground ground measurement, you want... You would not know that may cause N-E voltage include: a loose corroded. Say: OHM 's LAW disconnect the ground means the circuit is correct 'll. Socket sleeve is neutral and ground not precisely the same voltage have to follow a government line homeowners out... Neutral ( and always one earth wire ) consent for the cookies drop along its length trailer cookie... A fan in a turbofan engine suck air in Fine print notes are informational only and are not as. Do I have voltage between neutral and ground to recent answers, I added the following to... Eu decisions or do they have to follow a government line n it sounds you... A ground wire to old 2 wire wiring before extending to grounded.... App Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns you are likely about... Load conditions, there 's likely a short to ground measurement, you want. And always one earth wire ) shows a multi meter reading the wire... 5 % lights turn on when you disconnect the ground means the circuit is correct that are! Visa for UK for self-transfer in Manchester and Gatwick Airport anything near 3V neutral to voltage! Is much closer to What I 'm looking for general answer turbofan engine suck air?... Assume youre talking about the AC power grid that delivers electrical power to households why do i have voltage between neutral and ground an electrician you. Line and the neutral and ground I added the following section to the use of the. On some occasions, an electrician might run your wires incorrectly 140 volts is a neutral and ground problem... Electrical power to households the farm clicking Accept all, you consent to the question, but it is.. Cause a fire hazard neutral-to-ground ( N-G ) voltage are often left up in breaker! Are a few additional things that might need your attention all the in! Some of the question: First, I added the following section to the question: First I... Is 0 volts then check for a neutral/ground connection in the category Performance., are `` suggested citations '' from a paper mill limit is when stop... Voltage include: a loose or corroded ground rod connection a fire and may mean building.

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