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Old 06-27-2016, 09:42 AM   #1
sdowney717
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City: Seaford Va on Poquoson River, VA
Vessel Name: Old Glory
Vessel Model: 1970 Egg Harbor 37 extended salon model
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,264
Voltage between neutral and ground?

I was working on some wiring for the outlets circuit and with the branch distribution breaker off, (only turns off the hot black side), I noticed a small spark between neutral and ground when touched together. However no shocking event for me touching those wires.

So that surprised me. The circuit is GFCI protected and the GFCI tests good and the GFCI does not trip when the breaker is on and the outlets are used.

I need to use my meter and measure what that voltage is.
Any ideas what it is? I was sort of thinking since all my white neutrals are tied together in the distribution panel, and the AC was on and a few other AC devices, would not some return current flowing on the neutral white wire also flow onto the ground when deliberately touched together? The ground would then become an alternate pathway for current flow. And afterwards I did notice the GFCI had tripped off. So when I finished with the wiring, I reset the GFCI and everything is fine.
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