Low Voltage on 220 Line

[bczygan]

Tested the 220 outlet for my stove. It's a 3 prong one.

Getting 10 volts on the 120 connection and 20 volts on the 240 volt one.

What could be happening?

Bill

 

[KenC]

Check the range settings on the meter!

 

[Maticuno]

Check the range settings on the meter!

This.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Bad meter!

 

[dogdog]

maybe the two hots are on the same leg?

 

[bczygan]

Meter tests good on another circuit.

Set on 750.

 

[TractorJeff]

You never stated whether the breaker is powering the outlet?
First - if the breaker is off, then the wire may run close to other wires which are magnetically charging the wire. A DMM is a low resistance meter and will indeed show "ghost" voltages.
An OLD analog meter will not do this!
Second - if the breaker powering the outlet is on, then you need to follow the wire back to the breaker and test it at the panel to ascertain that you do not have a bad breaker.
Then Report back with your findings.

 

[Mustang51js]

Are you sticking the prongs in the slots of the receptacle,try and go directly to the wires, you may have a missing ground or testor is not reaching far enough in the outlet

 

[Charles (in GA)]

We have no idea what kind of plug/receptacle it is. Is it a four prong NEMA 14-50 or a three prong NEMA 10-50. and what prongs are you measuring across for the various voltages?

 

[doojus]

Sounds like you're not making a good connection when you test.

 

[bczygan]

Thanks guys.

Indeed, I am sticking the prongs in a 3 slot receptacle.

HF meter BTW.

Breaker is on.

I'll check at the breaker.

Then I'll turn it off and pull the outlet cover, turn it on and check at the terminals.

Bill

 

[volleyball]

I am betting that this isn't the first time you've been told your probe is too short.

 

[doojus]

I am betting that this isn't the first time you've been told your probe is too short.

 

[bczygan]

Originally Posted by volleyball:
I am betting that this isn't the first time you've been told your probe is too short.

Yeah...........But I wiggle it around and wiggle it around, and sometimes the result is ELECTRIFYING!

And I've got TWO prongs!

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Woa nelly!

This thread derailed the caboose fast!!

I would test at the lugs on the outlet!

 

[Bigbandguy]

Then there is the neon tester trick. Neutral and either hot will glow moderately ... across 220 will glow MUCH brighter.

 

[Speedy Petey]

Your description is odd. One is not 120 and one is not "220".
There are two hots and a neutral on this receptacle.
(Voltages are approximate) Each hot should test 120V to the neutral. Then you should get 240V between the two hots.

I also agree, testing range and dryer receptacles with typical meter/tester probes is a PIA.