"Tuyen" wrote in message
oups.com...
I have a problem outlet that reads 30V (digital voltmeter) between
neutral and ground, 88V between hot and neutral and 120V between hot
and ground. The outlet is on a branch circuit; it appears to be the
only outlet on the branch. Other branches of the circuit show the
normal 120V between hot and neutral. I shut off all the breakers at the
panel except the breaker for the problem outlet. The voltage readings
do not change. I then shut off the breaker for the problem outlet (all
breakers now off) and the outlet now shows zero voltage between all
wires. The voltages at the panel appear normal. Also: there is no
continuity between ground and neutral at the problem outlet. This would
suggest an open neutral, but what would cause the voltage differentials
on the neutral wire if it was open? There isn't an obvious back load
soure such as an appliance.


Sounds like an open or bad connection on the neutral. Look at all the
sockets on that branch and see if the connections are tight on them.

When dealing with digital meters it is often helpful to put a 10 watt light
bulb in the circuit across the leads to see if you really have a voltage or
it is is some induced voltage the high resistance meter is seeing. Also a
resistor of about 2000 to 5000 ohms can be used to help eliminate the
induced voltage effect.