In ,
Nate Nagel typed:
On 04/04/2010 05:56 PM, Dave wrote:
"Steve wrote in message
...
Dave wrote:
Question for the gurus. I just tested my housewiring
(at the wall outlet) and found that I have 120V AC
between the hot and return, only I can't tell which of
the top two "slots" is hot and which is return. They
both show 59.4 VAC with referrence to the third (GND)
terminal, on the bottom. Huh? Anyone have any idea what
might be going on with my house wiring? It's an old
house, built in '49 or '50, and has had numerous pieces
added and modified. I was in the attic once, installing
the wiring for a bathroom outlet, and got bit by the
*white* wire, which should have been my first clue
something was wrong. When I asked someone else about
that though, was told that it might be normal, depending
on what had been put in place. :/ Any ideas or
feedback are welcome. Hoping someone can
explain this. Also hoping I don't have to rewire my
house... Dave



Two things are happening here.
#1. You are using a digital meter, a no no on AC house
diagnosis. #2. Your outlet is not grounded.

Okay, you are correct on both counts. The outlet is not
grounded, and I was using my Fluke, which I trust more
than the off-brand. Would an analog meter give me a
different reading from hot-gnd, or neutral-gnd? Hadn't
thought about it, but it probably would, wouldn't it? Have
to check that out. *Thank you* Dave


yes, if you want to have the "best" meters, you'll have
both a digital Fluke and a Simpson 260. both are
appropriate for different projects, although either one
will work in a pinch.
nate

And my old Simpson 260 was easier to read from a couple feet
away, too. The mirror made measurement errors due to parallax
almost never happen.