![]() |
|
|
![]() |
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
![]() |
#1 |
Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: maryland
Posts: 11
Rewards Points: 2
|
![]()
So I have ran into this issue a few times in my career and it again just happened yesterday.
Got a call, no power to gfci in bathroom. It's a new plug and wire. Ran from it's own breaker 10 feet away in panel. It's a small apt. I pulled device out of box, wires still attached and put volt meter to screws. Nothing. Phase-ground. Nothing. And yes breaker was on. So I remove device, put meter across hot-neutral, 123v. Phase-ground, 123v. I put device back on wire, Nothing! Why am I reading voltage when no device is on the line? Again, this has happened a few times and some of my more seasoned friends don't understand it either. Any input would be great. Thanks. Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Join the #1 Electrician Forum Today - It's Totally Free! ElectricianTalk.com - Are you a Professional Electrical Contractor? If so we invite you to join our community and see what it has to offer. Our site is specifically designed for you and it's the leading place for electricians to meet online. No homeowners asking DIY questions. Just fellow tradesmen who enjoy talking about their business, their trade, and anything else that comes up. No matter what your specialty is you'll find that ElectricianTalk.com is a great community to join. Best of all it's totally free! |
Warning: The topics covered on this site include activities in which there exists the potential for serious injury or death. ElectricianTalk.com DOES NOT guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any information contained on this site. Always use proper safety precaution and reference reliable outside sources before attempting any construction or remodeling task! |
Sponsored Links | |||
Advertisement |
|
![]() |
#2 |
Moderator
![]() Join Date: May 2007
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 15,650
Rewards Points: 5,052
|
![]()
If you are measuring the receptacle slots (where the plug goes in) it might be tripped.
Are you taking the reading from the wired connections is what I mean. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#3 | |
Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: maryland
Posts: 11
Rewards Points: 2
|
![]() Quote:
Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk |
|
![]() |
![]() |
Sponsored Links | |||
Advertisement |
|
![]() |
#4 |
Moderator
![]() Join Date: May 2007
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 15,650
Rewards Points: 5,052
|
![]()
What kind of meter are you using? Digital?
Have you tested your meter on a known good power source? Do you have a solenoid tester? A way to test with a bit of load on it? Do you have a pigtail with light bulb? You could connect it with wire nuts to see. I sent you a PM. Did you get it? Please let me know your answer. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#5 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Daytona Beach
Posts: 1,903
Rewards Points: 32
|
![]()
You have a loose connection ahead of the GFI I would suspect. Not enough power for the GFI and your tester.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#6 |
Band Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Eastern Ontario
Posts: 6,041
Rewards Points: 1,662
|
![]()
Sounds like induced voltage to me.
As others said, put a wiggy on it ![]() MechanicalDVR likes this.
__________________
_____________________________________ Your Mother was a hamster, and your father smells of Elderberries. ... Now go away, or I shall taunt you a second time To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#7 |
Bilge Rat
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Fernley, Nevada (near Reno)
Posts: 6,660
Rewards Points: 2,928
|
![]()
A GFI presents a very small load to a circuit. If there's a very poor connection somewhere, it would read hot with no load and 0 with load.
If you're using a digital meter, you may be reading ghost voltage with no load. Check voltage at the panel, specifically the load side of the breaker. Check each conductor in the cable for continuity. Applying an actual load will be better than using a meter. A broken wire inside a cable that has blown apart will give the symptoms you describe. HackWork likes this.
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#8 |
Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: maryland
Posts: 11
Rewards Points: 2
|
![]()
So I have done everything you guys have stated. And there is no loose connection upstream since it's directly from breaker to plug. I tested without device and it reads normal with a digital meter. I put a new gfci on and everything was good to go. Just wondered if anyone had this issue before.
Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#9 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: middle america
Posts: 11,515
Rewards Points: 3,432
|
![]()
What meter are you using
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#10 |
Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: maryland
Posts: 11
Rewards Points: 2
|
![]()
Klein digital multi meter. Don't know the exact model number.
Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#11 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: middle america
Posts: 11,515
Rewards Points: 3,432
|
![]()
I hate the term but you are probably getting ghost voltage. use a wiggy or voltcon. Or just plug a load in it. My guess is a tripped breaker or faulty connection.
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#12 | |
Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: maryland
Posts: 11
Rewards Points: 2
|
![]() Quote:
A friend of mine thinks the insides could have melted and plastic covered the metal and therefore no power to screws. Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#13 |
Senile Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Honolulu
Posts: 27,459
Rewards Points: 17,275
|
![]()
Let me guess. Leviton gfi.
And looking at the info you described in this thread, they probably made your meter as well........ electricguy likes this.
__________________
JOBS GROWTH SOARS RECORD WORKING UNEMPLOYMENT 50-YEAR LOW Drudge Report |
![]() |
![]() |
The Following User Says Thank You to macmikeman For This Useful Post: | electricguy (12-30-2017) |
![]() |
#14 |
Senile Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Honolulu
Posts: 27,459
Rewards Points: 17,275
|
![]()
If I'm right and it is Leviton, ever since NEMA has requested (required?) they produce gfi outlets with self testing capability , self testing failures resulting in device total failure has become commonplace. It's just like faulty afci breakers, you spend money twice and the company gets rich. I can't wait till car manufacturer's learn all about this new scam........
canbug likes this.
__________________
JOBS GROWTH SOARS RECORD WORKING UNEMPLOYMENT 50-YEAR LOW Drudge Report |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#15 |
Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: maryland
Posts: 11
Rewards Points: 2
|
![]()
Haha yes it was leviton. I replaced with Seymour I believe it was. But unless Klein is partnered with leviton, they didn't make my meter.
Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#16 |
Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: maryland
Posts: 11
Rewards Points: 2
|
![]()
My meter.
![]() Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#17 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Kamloops BC
Posts: 1,916
Rewards Points: 3,000
|
![]()
I think Mike is referring to country of origin
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#18 | |
Old Grumpy Bastard
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: "Old Dominion"
Posts: 59,910
Rewards Points: 2,232
|
![]() Quote:
__________________
I'm as Christian as possible in the times we live in. Always just a stallion in a china shop |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#19 |
Senile Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Honolulu
Posts: 27,459
Rewards Points: 17,275
|
![]()
Ive seen gfi's do the melt down. Usually loose connections and hair dryers to blame.
MechanicalDVR likes this.
__________________
JOBS GROWTH SOARS RECORD WORKING UNEMPLOYMENT 50-YEAR LOW Drudge Report |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#20 |
Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: maryland
Posts: 11
Rewards Points: 2
|
![]()
I've seen them melt as well but if inside is melted there's always signs outside of device as well. The gfci looked brand new like it wasn't even used yet. It just honestly baffles me. If this happened once I'd say ok there was a glitch in the matrix, but for this to be about the 5th time I ran into this situation has me wondering what on earth could it be?!
Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
![]() |
||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Problems with Power Company | Lythropus | Services and Service Equipment | 6 | 08-26-2017 04:36 AM |
service entrance with solar | jtrichard | Electrician Apprentice Forum | 7 | 01-31-2017 10:34 AM |