Re: .2 volts between neutral and ground

So, it's much more complicated, then, than the neutral and ground are
connected together at the breaker panel, thereby equalizing the
potential between the two, so, there shouldn't be a voltage differential
between the two (this only works if it's the same wire, same current, and
same length run)? And that the voltage between hot and neutral and hot and
ground should be the same because of that?

On Fri, 18 Aug 2006 23:21:19 +0000, George Pontis wrote:

Dave Botsch wrote:

I have noted on some outlets between .1 and .2 volts from the neutral
to the equipment ground. One outlet was showing .4 when the AC was on
and nothing when the AC was off (but, it's on the same circuit as the
AC, hence the load on that circuit).

In the past, I hadn't noted any voltage btwn neutral and ground and
hot to neutral and hot to grnd was the same (it's off, now, by the
amounts above).

I'm guessing this is bad and is something I should have looked into as
soon as possible?

I am going to check again tonight after people have gone to bed and
electric usage in the area should have gone down.

thoughts?

If there is enough current flowing through the circuit to develop the
.1 to .2 volts across the neutral wire, then this is a normal reading.
To simply things you could just measure from neutral to ground.

For a real-world example, consider a single 100W light bulb, 65 feet
from the breaker panel. 12 gauge wire has about .0019 ohms per foot. So
with the drawing .833 amps and 65 feet of wire, one could expect .1
volt drop in the neutral line. So your measured numbers of .1 to .2
volts are very reasonable. With a heavy load you could see 1 to 2 volts.

Geo.

--
********************************
David William Botsch
dwb7@xxxxxxxxxxx
********************************

.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Phone ring circuit
    ... In my circuit one wire will be connected to ground point and other to -50V. ... Hertz sine wave signal with a peak to peak voltage of about 90 to 100 ... This AC voltage rides on the nominal -48 volts of the phone line ...
    (sci.electronics.design)
  • Re: .2 volts between neutral and ground
    ... hence the load on that circuit). ... to .2 volts across the neutral wire, then this is a normal reading. ... For a real-world example, consider a single 100W light bulb, 65 feet ...
    (sci.electronics.repair)
  • Re: Running Lincoln Single Phase 220V welder from generator
    ... Inside the circuit breaker panel of your home you will find the white ... style three wire 220V circuits had no ground, ... I'd consult both user manuals for both appliances and go from ...
    (rec.crafts.metalworking)
  • Re: Basic Home Electrical Question
    ... the black wire and return on the white wire. ... to make it easy to explain the circuit. ... There are 240 volts across the two Hot wires and 120 volts ... then there is no need for the neuteral wire. ...
    (alt.home.repair)
  • Re: Mercruiser Still Wont Start
    ... I do NOT see 12 volts on the positive side of the coil with the key on. ... I *did* remove the tach wire while conducting all tests. ... coil and the power stops flowing in the secondary circuit in the coil. ...
    (rec.boats)