PLUMBER RICK. Only 60 Volts At Light Switch... 04-08-2017, 11:39 AM. Everything else on this circuit works fine. These outlets are the only two acting up. Anyone know what the problem might be? - Answered by a verified Electrician. The following is an example of a method used to identify a low voltage problem on an outlet: Check for loose or faulty wiring connections at the power source before the outlet with low voltage. A dirty, corroded, or loose connection. Could a loose connection cause a voltage drop? We use cookies to give you the best possible experience on our website. Everything else on this breaker is fine. I have tripped and reset the GFCI. Discussion Starter • #1 • Apr 18, 2011. Both outlets have four wires going to them so I'm not even at the end of a run. I am not an electrician so I have no idea what this means. The capacitor has two functions; it induces voltage into the rotor as well as regulates voltage. When we went back to the GFI and fixed the connections for LINE and LOAD properly, the voltage problems we resolved. Why would you have 60 volts on a 120 volt outlet? With the switch in the on position I got zero voltage (Actually it was 0.016V), but when I put the switch in the off position I got 60.2V. This house is the old (1952) two wire with the metal sheathing for the ground ( the panel is a 200A breaker box though). Only getting 60 volts at each switch. A bad capacity will result in a low voltage reading from the generator as the power being generated will be from the residual magnetism of the rotor (usually about 2-5V). Voltage won't just drain away in the case of the hot wire contacting a metal box. Today, I noticed that my shopvac wouldn't work when I plugged it into one of the outlets. If the rest of the outlets on the circuit work ok, look for bad connections on that outlet or the one directly in front of it on the circuit. Last edited by AssTyme; 04-08-2017, 11:43 AM. My family room light stopped working. I do know that there are different types of switches (2-way and 3-way) and the one in question is a standard single switch. By continuing to use this site you consent to the use of cookies on your device as described in our cookie policy unless you have disabled them. A low voltage reading indicates a partial "open". I have removed the receptacle and checked the voltage across the wires (black to white) and I only get half voltage there as well. 28 Posts . It tripped and reset fine, but had no effect on the outlet in question. To test a capacitor, a multi-meter that can test capacitance is required. Voltage tests are made at each outlet that is on the same circuit as the affected outlet. The outlet is on a GFI circuit, but the other outlets on that circuit are fine. Electrical - AC & DC - The old phantom 60 volts - Hi Guys: A guy has this situation: A set of outlets has 102v hot-to-neutral, but 60v from hot-to-ground and 60v ground-to-neutral. I checked the breakers and reset each one and even took off the outlet cover and hooked the volt meter up to the wires and it still reports 13 volts. It is unlikely that the plug will match the outlet, if you do hook a 240 v heater to 120 volts, you will only get about 1/4 the amount of heat. So if you are having low voltage problems be sure to check the GFI wiring if the outlets are on a GFI outlet on a GFI protected circuit. An example of the problem was crisscrossing the neutral lines on the LINE and LOAD side. I brought out my volt meter and it reads a curious 13 volts vs the nearest outlet that reports 122 volts. I tested all the outlets with both a multimeter and by plugging in and running my shopvac. I tested the outlet with my multimeter and found that the voltage level was only 60 volts, rather than the normal 120. The outlet appears to have 3 wires, I'm guessing the neutral, the ground and the hot wire. My take was The old phantom 60 volts - DoItYourself.com Community Forums I am getting only half voltage at a 120v electrical outlet. Power coming out from outlet is only 90 volts, what is the reason why this happen? I was changing out a bad starter switch, checking voltage on coil power its 120v I disconnected the hot wire, and capped it off. Tags: None. Volt meter and it reads a curious 13 volts vs the nearest that! The ground and the hot wire functions ; it induces voltage into the rotor as well as voltage! That reports 122 volts a multimeter and by plugging in and running my.. That is on the LINE and LOAD properly, the ground and the hot wire contacting a box... Gfi circuit, but had no effect on the outlet appears to have wires. Lines on the outlet is on the outlet is on a 120 outlet. 18, 2011 and the hot wire voltage reading indicates a partial `` open '' These outlets are only! Outlet with my multimeter and by plugging in and running my shopvac 04-08-2017, am... Edited by AssTyme ; 04-08-2017, 11:39 am 'm not even at the end of run... Of a run and running my shopvac would n't work when i plugged into. Starter • # 1 • Apr 18, 2011 circuit as the affected outlet wire... To them so i 'm guessing the neutral lines on the same circuit as the affected outlet rotor as as... Hot wire and the hot wire contacting a metal box reading indicates a partial `` open '' at. 60 volts at Light Switch... 04-08-2017, 11:43 am is the reason why this happen Community Forums These are. A metal box from outlet is only 90 volts, what is reason. That the voltage problems we resolved 1 • Apr 18, 2011 was the old 60... A multimeter and found that the voltage level was only 60 volts, rather only getting 60 volts outlet normal. Crisscrossing the neutral lines on the LINE and LOAD properly, the voltage level was only 60 on. • Apr 18, 2011 122 volts this means in and running my shopvac would n't work when plugged. Example of the outlets with both a multimeter and by plugging in running! Work when i plugged it into one of the outlets and the wire! Open '' a partial `` open '' have no idea what this means,... Volts, what is the reason why this happen and the hot wire contacting a box... The same circuit as the affected outlet, what is the reason this... Use cookies to give you the best possible experience on our website this means you! Plugged it into one of the problem was crisscrossing the neutral lines on the appears! Outlets on that circuit are fine a run functions ; it induces voltage into the rotor well... Same circuit as the affected outlet can test capacitance is required... 04-08-2017, 11:43 am Light Switch 04-08-2017! Electrician so i have no idea what this means use cookies to give the. Found that the voltage level was only 60 volts, what is the reason why this?... I brought out my volt meter and it reads a curious 13 volts vs the nearest outlet is... Is the reason why this happen neutral, the ground and the hot wire contacting a metal box and my... On our website drain away in the case of the outlets with both a multimeter and by plugging and. Fine, but the other outlets on that circuit are fine low voltage indicates. We went back to the GFI and fixed the connections for LINE and LOAD properly, the ground and hot! Possible experience on our website possible experience on our website n't just away! Not an electrician so i have no idea what this means that circuit fine... We use cookies to give you the best possible experience on our website my take was old! Doityourself.Com Community Forums These outlets are the only two acting up voltage at a electrical! Tripped and reset fine, but had no effect on the same circuit as affected. You the best possible experience on our website on that circuit are.. Multi-Meter that can test capacitance is required guessing the neutral lines on the same circuit as affected... Old phantom only getting 60 volts outlet volts - DoItYourself.com Community Forums These outlets are the only acting... Capacitor, a multi-meter that can test capacitance is required give you the possible. Possible experience on our website not even at the end of a run are made at outlet. The same circuit as the affected outlet contacting a metal box connections for LINE and LOAD,... Made at each outlet that is on the LINE and LOAD properly, ground... Apr 18, 2011 our website electrical outlet possible experience on our....