Lighting, Light Fixtures, Ceiling and Exhaust Fans - 14-3 wire and odd voltages

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Squire
03-29-07, 07:11 AM
Hi All,

So I ran a new 14-3 to a new fan box in my living room ceiling. I have hot and neutral coming into the wall switch and then power is jumped to two switches, one is a standard on/off for the light and the other is a 3 speed fan switch. The power neutral in the wall box is tied to the 14-3 neutral going to the fan.

When I turn on either one of the switches, the wire (within the 14-3) for that switch is 120 V. But the other wire (within the 14-3) is ~60 V (relative to the neutral) even though its switch is off. Is this some sort of induced voltage or do I have a wiring problem?

Thanks,
John

John Nelson
03-29-07, 07:36 AM
It is normal. You're seeing phatom voltage due to capacitive coupling. No problem here.
joed
03-29-07, 10:56 AM
Stop using your digital meter to measure no load voltages. They give false readings known as phantom voltage.