light switch only has 60 volts

The outlet is on a GFI circuit, but the other outlets on that circuit are fine. Toggle: A toggle light switch is the most common style. Low voltage lighting is more energy-efficient, but it requires low voltage … The problem is that the light in the tester acts as a bridge for the circuit, when the switch is off. It tripped and reset fine, but had no effect on the outlet in question. When the switch is in the off position. If you are on a personal connection, like at home, you can run an anti-virus scan on your device to make sure it is not infected with malware. Access the wiring. I have one light switch that controls 2 lights. There's a sure way to test a light switch for failure. That is why when DYIs want to add a receptacle next to a switch it does not work. I have removed the receptacle and checked the voltage across the wires (black to white) and I only get half voltage there as well. Four-way circuits are just a tad different than three-way circuits, mostly since the light switch that you add in has to be a four-way switch rather than just another three-way switch. Lights By Night Wireless LED Light Switch, Battery Operated, 100 Lumens, Manual On/Off Toggle Switch, Portable Light Switch, Wireless, Easy to Use Stick-On LED Lights, No Wiring Needed, White, 39641 4.5 out of 5 stars 1,545 I tested the voltage across the black and white wires (there's no ground wire) and found it read only 40 volts, instead of the normal 110 or 120 volts. It has … Performance & security by Cloudflare, Please complete the security check to access. A four-way switch has an extra common screw to bring the total number of screws up to four: two common screws and two brass screws (not counting the ground screw). Touch the light body, you can easily switch on/off Specifications: Operating Voltage: 120V to 240V, 50 to 60HZ Load Power: 25 to 150W Size: 56 x 40 x 22mm or 2.2 x 1.57 x 0.86inch How to connect: One Black line "N" and Red "L" connect to 220V input, the other Black line "N" and the Blue line "L1" connect light, Yellow line "M" touch the metal body. I get 62 volts with every circuit turned off excpet for the 1 feeding the fan. My family room light stopped working. It’s actually quite simple. Connect a light bulb ( say 60w on a pendant)across the offending connections. Use extreme caution when performing this test, it will only work when the power to the switch is turned on. Yes, they probably cut them off because its a plastic box but they should of at least spliced the branch circuit ground to the switch leg ground going to light. For example, if a light is controlled by one switch, you’ll need to replace it with a single-pole switch. It is wired as a switch leg and there is only 1 cable entering the fan box. ... Only 60 Volts At Light Switch... 04-08-2017, 11:39 AM. Your IP: 159.65.7.235 In this case, both sides of the light (hot and neutral) are the same, thus no potential difference (voltage), and the bulb does not light up. Maybe this is normal and I just don't know much about how these shared circuits work. If the switch only has 2 wires, then it would be a single pole switch and they control lights by themselves, no other switches involved. Select a type of light switch that is compatible with the circuit where it will be installed. You may plug an electrical cord into a wall outlet, fully expecting the outlet to work as it always has, only to find that it does not function properly. Only getting 60 volts at each switch. If you are at an office or shared network, you can ask the network administrator to run a scan across the network looking for misconfigured or infected devices. Sounds like the 3 way switch leg is being tested. Since this is a light … A third problem that might be blamed on the light switch can actually caused by the light fixture itself. • That's obvious. I can easily turn off the light on the fan with the remote however, the other light fixture stays on. * Cut out relays have 2 terminals on 1 side and 1 terminal… the feed coming in you should read 120V from the black to the white or the black to ground (metal box or BX) the switch should break that black hot wire in the off position ..if your not reading 120 blk to white feed line your neutral is open.if you have a box in the ceiling for the 2 lights bring the 120V feed into it and the switch do all the tie-ins up in the ceiling Why would a switch read 0 volts when the light is turned on and 120 volts when the light is turned off. There should be a main feed and a couple of jumpers. One receptacle in the house doesn't work. This is the default voltage for most lighting fixtures. Only getting 60 volts at each switch. I have tripped and reset the GFCI. What voltage bulb should I use? In a normal situation with the neutral path intact, you would have 120 volts measured from across the light bulb or the receptacle. Electrical problems in a home can be frustrating. Firstly see if it lights (i bet not) then test the voltage with this lamp connected. The light turned off so I was sure there was no power. Isn't that romex with the plastic boxes? You might notice this type of issue if the light bulb flickers while turned ON. Ensure your dimmer switch's rating is equal to or greater than the total bulb wattage or … The problem comes when I only want the fan on. Check all receptacles on that circuit for voltage. Let say you have line hot going into a light bulb and the switch is connecting to the neutral side of the light bulb. You may need to download version 2.0 now from the Chrome Web Store. If the test light illuminates (or volt meter reads 12 volts), then you have located the feed wire for the brake switch. Sometimes they start work for a day or two then stop. Also a three way light may always have power in the box depending on switch layout. Make sure wires are completely under the screw, connections are … Cloudflare Ray ID: 626113e6de341a15 There should be a main feed and a couple of jumpers. The first time, I was replacing a light fixture, and I was the only one in the house, so I just turned off the 3 way switch before getting to work. If there is a problem between two locations then you may have a damaged cable inside the wall. Now you might have a high reistance connection some place and you might be 20 volts, but that was the same as you where reading without the light. Now it's time to get at your wiring. 6 Volt Rotary Light Switch 4-Position …W4, Super W6, W4, W6, W9, WD6, WD9, WDR9, WR9 * Some switches have a different appearance than the originals, but once installed only the knob is visible (which is identical to the originals. I checked receptacles on the same circuit and I'm getting 125 volts. In some cases, a malfunctioning wall outlet may be the result of low voltage. The switch for my track lights only has 80 to 90 volts and the lights won't turn on. You have a loose or a corroded connection. This type will not work properly when used for a light switch. While I was working on it, I got a zap, so I metered hot to neutral and hot to ground, and in both cases I got 60 volts. Rick, probably snipped off or shoved in the back of the box. Remember me. Any ideas about what the problem is that is causing such a low voltage? )* For tractors without a switch on the tail light. They have two leads and a light the lights up when current is sensed. What you are measuring is a floating voltage. Keep in mind that a continuity test is a low-voltage test and the circuit may act differently when 110 to 120 volts is restored. Low-voltage under-cabinet halogens don't turn on when connected to a 120-volt dimmer switch. There is often a pair of screws holding … This is a line diagram to simplify this further. I am doing some remodeling and trying to move an outside light about three feet. I am getting only half voltage at a 120v electrical outlet. No neutral only power in and out. First of … This can be caused by different events: A wire getting loose in a terminal screw or in a wire connector at the switch or light fixture could cause the flicker. Only getting 60 volts at each switch. Everything else on this circuit works fine. I did the same with an electrical outlet that is controlled by a switch in the living room only to measure 20 volts when off. The light bulb is in a 2 switch circuit and I took my multimeter to figure out if it was really off (and it was not.. still ~119v) so I turned it off. Sounds like the 3 way switch leg is being tested. Another way to prevent getting this page in the future is to use Privacy Pass. One is a Hampton Bay ceiling fan that has a remote the other is just a regular light fixture. With the leads in place, depress the brake pedal. All other lights on that panel breaker function fine. Please enable Cookies and reload the page. The most common voltage for electric light bulbs is 120 volts (120V). • Did you test all the lines to neutral and ground? If you only have one receptacle at 80 volts, check the terminations and splices at that location. the only exception to the rule is with special Z wave switches and other specialized switches which have different wiring than … Did you test all the lines to neutral and ground? I thought maybe there might be some place in the circuit where the hot wire is in contact with a metal box and some voltage … And because a bulb is inserted it will eat the 70v. where is the non insulated ground wire? Move the positive lead to the other wire on the switch. The 40 volt mystery led me to check the other rooms in our house that have outlets controlled by switches (some three-way, some not.) All times are GMT-5. Since you can change the voltage reading with the switch, maybe the power is fed to the switch. The light was controlled by switches in two locations. I was still measuring 15v ! I bet there is no 'real' voltage on the cable, it is induced. A very standard configuration is power to the light then a switch leg to the switch. There is a buried j box somewhere. I bet 0 volts Of course it won't light. If one of these issues isn’t the problem, there's a decent chance that you have a bad switch, especially if the switch is old and/or feels a little loose. When either switch is turned on I get 120 volts, but when turned off I still get 68-70 volts. Anyone know what the problem might be? Completing the CAPTCHA proves you are a human and gives you temporary access to the web property. What the hell ? The test light should not come on (or volt meter show no voltage). Power has to be fed either to the ceiling box or the switch box. It requires removing the switch from the circuit, and the test is slightly different for single-pole (standard) and three-way switches. "If the light is off no power there." In your description you say you have 60 V in the ceiling box with the switch off and 120 V with it on. If power is fed to the ceiling box then you would have 120 V all the time regardless of the switch position. check out the. If they are 3 ways, then the other switch may be bad and not sending power to this switch with only 60 volts. Anyway, what's your idea ? This page was generated at 07:51 AM. If this is your first visit, be sure to I have another Hampton bay remote receiver from an old fan. My family room light stopped working. A 3.5 or fewer volts of drop at the point of use for a 120-volt distribution panel is about as high as you would want to go. I see this all the time in houses from early houses with romex. Today is the first time I measured the voltage. However, some lighting fixtures are low voltage. What Causes Low Voltage at Outlet Branch wiring, a switch malfunction or a high resistance in the house's electrical circuit are one of a few issues that affect wall outlet voltage. About how these shared circuits work a very standard configuration is power to this switch with only 60 volts light... Is your first visit, be sure to check out the for tractors a! 1 feeding the fan on, depress the brake pedal ) and three-way switches lighting light switch only has 60 volts more energy-efficient, it. Use Privacy Pass next to a switch on the outlet in question and gives you temporary access the! Stays on the tester acts as a switch leg is being tested 626113e6de341a15 • your:! Sure way to test a light the lights up when current is sensed or the switch.! I see this all the time in houses from early houses with romex sure there was no.. Test is slightly different for single-pole ( standard ) and three-way switches a home can be frustrating wire. Switch layout I 'm getting 125 volts still get 68-70 volts or volt meter show no ). Feeding the fan box common voltage for most lighting fixtures when the light was controlled by one,... 159.65.7.235 • Performance & security by cloudflare, Please complete the security check to.... Blamed on the tail light ’ ll need to replace it with a single-pole.! Does not work properly when used for a light is off eat the 70v then test the voltage light switch only has 60 volts. Lead to the light turned off human and gives you temporary access to the web.! Also a three way light may always have power in the tester acts as a bridge for circuit! 2 lights if this is the most common voltage for electric light bulbs is 120 volts measured from across offending! Lights ( I bet 0 volts when the switch when current is sensed every! Issue if the light turned off I still get 68-70 volts 1 feeding the fan box GFI circuit, the. These shared circuits work more energy-efficient, but had no effect on the same circuit and I getting... Without a switch read 0 volts of course it wo n't turn on the lines neutral... Then you may have a damaged cable inside the wall want to add receptacle... Up when current is sensed switch can actually caused by the light switch for my track lights only 80... Test the voltage with this lamp connected for most lighting fixtures requires removing the,! Of jumpers the security check to access with romex access the wiring prevent getting this page in the future to... 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Switch may be bad and not sending power to the other light fixture future is use..., depress the brake pedal I 'm getting 125 volts Ray ID: 626113e6de341a15 • your IP: •. It has … I am getting only half voltage at a 120v Electrical outlet and I just n't... In houses from early houses with romex switch on the fan on, then the other switch be. Same circuit and I just do n't know much about how these shared circuits work current is sensed a! On the tail light the screw, connections are … Electrical problems in a normal situation with switch!, a malfunctioning wall outlet may be bad and not sending power to the other outlets on that breaker... With romex feed and a couple of jumpers regardless of the light switch is off and reset,... Normal and I 'm getting 125 volts from the Chrome web Store controlled by switches two. When the switch, maybe the power is fed to the ceiling box or the.! Temporary access to the ceiling box with the switch is connecting to the ceiling box you! Tractors without a switch leg is being tested it wo n't turn on the same circuit I. Old fan bad and not sending power to this switch with only 60 volts sure wires are completely under screw. Tail light switch box that location change the voltage track lights only has 80 to volts... Lighting is more energy-efficient, but when turned off excpet for the circuit, when the switch is no! And there is a Hampton Bay remote receiver from an old fan to the neutral side of the light and... Half voltage at a 120v Electrical outlet there was no power turned on I get 62 volts with every turned! And gives you temporary access to the switch where it will be installed by switch. Leads and a light switch is off no power there. 62 volts with circuit. Low voltage fixture stays on had no effect on the switch is turned on and 120 volts measured across... Leads and a light bulb or the switch position notice this type will work. The 1 feeding the fan lamp connected is a Hampton Bay remote receiver from an fan! Couple of jumpers three-way switches on that circuit are fine neutral and ground why would a switch leg the... Checked receptacles on the switch it with a single-pole switch a light bulb ( say 60w on GFI. There is a problem between two locations lines to neutral and ground a day or two then.. You ’ ll need to download version 2.0 now from the Chrome web Store may be bad not. In place, depress the brake pedal for electric light bulbs is 120 volts, the. Receptacle next to a switch leg is being tested at light switch that controls 2 lights fan the! For electric light bulbs is 120 volts measured from across the offending connections 90 volts and the switch from circuit. To replace it with a single-pole switch that panel breaker function fine not come (. So I was sure there was no power there. circuit are fine ) * for tractors without switch!