My AC wall out let only has 4.7 to 5.00 vac?

Question

What could be causing this? The outlet is located outside in a screened in porch. I have already taken off the cover and measured at the splice. Still between 4 and 5 vac.

Power from inside-------outlet--------lightswitch--... flood lights.

Thats the only path.

Answer 1

That's weird.I would  question the validity of the meter if the loads are working.

Answer 2

I agree with Jim W, those (good) meters are oversensitive for this sort of work - put a small load on it (plug in a lamp or something) and you'll probably see the voltage go to zero.

And yes, there actually should be a GFCI somewhere down the line (by code), problem is it may not be real obvious where.  My dad's house has a plain outdoor patio outlet, but is fed from a GFCI outlet in the basement crawl space, so look in places like that adjacent to the porch.  

Answer 3

First .....answer #3 is wrong.... if the GFCI outlet is tripped you should have no voltage at all at the outlet.  I've been an electrician for a while and my tester has never shown voltage at a trippped GFCI.

You still may have voltage on the wires though. I agree in removing the outlet and checking your voltage there.  Go hot to ground first, 120v, then hot to neutral, 120v then double check your ground to neutral, you may have a slight reading.

If everything is fine there just replace your outlet, preferably with a GFCI since it is in a screened porch.  Just be sure to wire it so your lights always work... put both wires on the line side of the GFCI.

If you still have a problem with your voltage.... you need to check where it's coming from on the inside.  It really sounds like you have a loose connection somewhere, whether it's at that specific outlet or from the source.  Easiest way.... turn off the breaker that controls that outlet and light.  Then see if anything else is off too.  If you don't find anything else check your connections in your panel.  DO NOT FREAK OUT.... just shut off the main and stay way from those connections.  Now just check all your other connections, grounds, neutrals, and your hot on all your breakers.  Put on gloves when doing this to be on the safe side.  Or you can even cut a small piece of cardboard to fit inside your panel to cover up the live connections.

Troubleshooting is always fun for me... but it's kinda hard when I can't be there.  Hope your find your problem.

Answer 4

The Gfci for the circuit is tripped. Reset it and the circuit should be fine. The clue is that you have a Fluke meter and it shows a very low voltage. This probably inducted to the circuit from another wire.  The other possibility is a bad connection on the line or a switch turned off.

I hate those digital meters. Way too sensitive and give all sorts of misleading information for this type of work.  

Answer 5

Disconnect at the splice and measure. Sounds like a corroded outlet. Is the outlet controlled by the switch or is it a direct feed? Do the flood lights work?