Outlet Low Voltage

Fredtp · 08-25-2013, 09:30 AM

My microwave quick working so I checked for voltage at the outlet and I am only getting 80 volts? It has a 15 amp breaker to that outlet. I am not an electrical guru, just know basics any help would be appreciated.

j1251b · 08-25-2013, 09:59 AM

Check the voltage at the breaker. You may have a bad breaker. Did you check the voltage at some of the other outlets??

**Blenhardt** · 08-25-2013, 10:15 AM

Check the voltage at the Campground post. 80 volts is very low and might damage some appliances if you continue to use it. Do not use your AC if the voltage is that low.

Fredtp · 08-25-2013, 10:57 AM

Its at my house hooked up to 50amp and all the other outlets have 110. That's why I am so puzzled everything else works in the coach, it is just low voltage to that one outlet.

atom ant · 08-25-2013, 11:26 AM

You might have lost the neutral. You might unplug and check continuity on the neutral back to the neutral bar in the panel. In fact you might check all of those terminals on the neutral and ground bar.

Fredtp · 08-25-2013, 12:50 PM

If the neutral was loose or lost why would I have the correct voltage on all the other outher outlets?

atom ant · 08-25-2013, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fredtp

If the neutral was loose or lost why would I have the correct voltage on all the other outher outlets?

Just the neutral on that circuit. The microwave should have a dedicated circuit. These "push in" terminals on these RV devices leave a lot to be desired.

Fredtp · 08-25-2013, 02:39 PM

Oh ok, guess I need to check the main panel for a loose neutral wire.

Fredtp · 08-25-2013, 04:57 PM

Well I found the neutral wire and I took it off the neutral bar and reinstalled it but same result. I even put a regular house recepticle on and still 83 volts. From black to ground I have 118 volts.

rcflame · 08-25-2013, 06:03 PM

I'm no electrician, but if you have 118 V. from black to ground at the receptacle, but only 80 v. from black to neutral at the receptacle, I would have to believe the problem would have to be in the neutral wire. Is there any way you can check the resistance in the neutral wire to see if that could be the problem. I would also check to see if one of the other outlets in the area of the microwave could be on the same circuit by shutting off the microwave breaker and see if any other outlet is dead. If so, it could be a connection at that outlet. That could be one of those problems that can only be found by the process of eliminating all the possibilities no matter how remote.

homeguy · 08-25-2013, 06:37 PM

check for voltage between neutral and ground. If 0, then check for continuity between ground and neutral. if not there, you have a neutral wire that has a break in it. if you have voltage between neutral and ground, then you have a short

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