Switch/outlet problem
#1
12-29-04, 03:37 PM
Switch problem
Box with a switch to a overhead light and an outlet.
Stopped working. Replaced with new switch and receptical.
Measure voltage get 125v coming in to both the switch and
plug but on the outside of the plug get 40 vac. I am stumped.
Thanks in Advance,
-Rick
Stopped working. Replaced with new switch and receptical.
Measure voltage get 125v coming in to both the switch and
plug but on the outside of the plug get 40 vac. I am stumped.
Thanks in Advance,
-Rick
#2
12-29-04, 03:50 PM
Switch/outlet problem
I have an outlet box with a switch for two overhead lights
and a two plug recepticle. I replaced both when neither
seemed to work. Measured 120v coming in so knew there
was power to the box. Measured 40v on the plug and
the switch. I am stumped.
and a two plug recepticle. I replaced both when neither
seemed to work. Measured 120v coming in so knew there
was power to the box. Measured 40v on the plug and
the switch. I am stumped.
#4
12-29-04, 09:44 PM
Originally Posted by racraft
How are you measuring for voltage? Where are you measuring and what are you using? What do you mean "40 volts on the outside"?
Getting 120 across the white/black going into the plug and into
the switch.
#5
12-30-04, 05:23 AM
If you are using a digital voltmeter, then put it away. Do not use a digital voltmeter for this application.
Measuring 40 volts implies an open wire. It could be an open neutral or an open hot.
Measure voltage (using an analog meter) between the black wire and the white wire, between the black wire and the ground wire, and finally between the white wire and the ground wire.
And please tell me what you mean by "on the outside".
Measuring 40 volts implies an open wire. It could be an open neutral or an open hot.
Measure voltage (using an analog meter) between the black wire and the white wire, between the black wire and the ground wire, and finally between the white wire and the ground wire.
And please tell me what you mean by "on the outside".
#6
12-30-04, 11:00 AM
Originally Posted by racraft
If you are using a digital voltmeter, then put it away. Do not use a digital voltmeter for this application.
Measuring 40 volts implies an open wire. It could be an open neutral or an open hot.
Measure voltage (using an analog meter) between the black wire and the white wire, between the black wire and the ground wire, and finally between the white wire and the ground wire.
And please tell me what you mean by "on the outside".
Measuring 40 volts implies an open wire. It could be an open neutral or an open hot.
Measure voltage (using an analog meter) between the black wire and the white wire, between the black wire and the ground wire, and finally between the white wire and the ground wire.
And please tell me what you mean by "on the outside".
Took the switch and plug off and measured with an analog meter
Blk-Common 125v
Wh Common 0
Blk Wh 15 (Fifteen) v (That I thought was really odd.
-Rick
#7
12-30-04, 01:32 PM
Originally Posted by rgill
Thanks for the time
Took the switch and plug off and measured with an analog meter
Blk-Common 125v
Wh Common 0
Blk Wh 15 (Fifteen) v (That I thought was really odd.
-Rick
Took the switch and plug off and measured with an analog meter
Blk-Common 125v
Wh Common 0
Blk Wh 15 (Fifteen) v (That I thought was really odd.
-Rick
You should have a black wire, a white wire and a bare (or green) ground wire. What do you mean by common?
#9
12-30-04, 02:59 PM
Member
replace common with bare copper
#10
12-30-04, 04:09 PM
You have an open neutral. The white wire is disconnected somewhere.
An open neutral is a common problem. If you caused the problem with your switch/receptacle replacement then you messed something up.
If this happened on it's own then a white wire has become disconnected. You need to trace back through the circuit until you find the location where the white wire is not making proper contact. It may be at the last location with power, or it may be at the first location without power. Find it, and reconnect the white (neutral) wire.
An open neutral is a common problem. If you caused the problem with your switch/receptacle replacement then you messed something up.
If this happened on it's own then a white wire has become disconnected. You need to trace back through the circuit until you find the location where the white wire is not making proper contact. It may be at the last location with power, or it may be at the first location without power. Find it, and reconnect the white (neutral) wire.
#11
12-30-04, 04:18 PM
Member
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: The Colony, Texas
Posts: 852
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes
on
0 Posts
John, I think, hope, he means replace the word "common" with the words "bare copper" in the previous post. If not, there will either be a new thread starting any minute now or a call to 911... 
Doug M.
Doug M.
