"ToMh" wrote in message
news:c5qBg.3463$qw5.1058@trnddc06...

"CJT" wrote in message
...
ToMh wrote:

"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.

I'm going to attempt to find out where the branch ties in, but it's a
1950's split level with pretty inaccessible wiring. I hate older
houses... help!

-T



Buy one of those test plugs that will show what is miswired or most
likey open then replace the outlet.



I don't see how that will tell anything not already known.


These are a cheap, and a easy way to verify that the outlet is wired
correctly, and changing the outlet will more than likely solve the
problem.


Oh sorry, I didn't catch that you had already removed the receptacle. You
say it's a branch circuit, are you sure about this, and that it's not just
the last receptacle on the line? If it is a branch, do you know were the
branch is. If it's wired to another receptacle, then that probably were the
problem is, else it's in the branch. Hopefully it's not some hack job buried
in the wall. If you can't find the branch, you may want to just open up each
receptacle on the bus and look for a an extra set of wires branching off of
that receptacle.