Strange outlets

[wilfords]

I was testing the outlets in my old house and came across three outlets with strange readings. The power to neutral read 120v, but the power to ground had readings around 50-60v. All my other outlets read 120v and 120v. Two of the three are on the same circuit breaker, but the third outlet is on another breaker with OK outlets. I tried replacing one of the outlets but still got low readings. Any ideas about what the problem might be?

[Electric101]

The ground wire (grounding conductor) is open somewhere in the circuit. If it's an older home someone may have forgotten to connect them in a box somewhere. You will probably need to open all the boxes on this circuit and check the connections, with the power off of course. :-)

[idmason60]

[QUOTE=wilfords]I was testing the outlets in my old house and came across three outlets with strange readings. The power to neutral read 120v, but the power to ground had readings around 50-60v. All my other outlets read 120v and 120v. Two of the three are on the same circuit breaker, but the third outlet is on another breaker with OK outlets. I tried replacing one of the outlets but still got low readings. Any ideas about what the problem might be?[/QUOTE]

You dont need recepticals you need to establish a good ground. You indicated you had 120 volts to neutral so thats great and one with a poor ground. You have 2 choices one is to establish a good ground or replace that receptical with a GCFI. They do work when ground is not available.

Larry