Odd voltage.

[Ironsights]

Hi
I would like to replace an old baseboard heater. I removed the cover and the wirenuts and attached a meter. It reads 117.8-118 vac. I then began the tedious process of going to the service panel and checking all the breakers. The only one that seemed to work dropped to 16.7vac? All the rest kept the line voltage.

Why doesn't it read 0 volts? Is it safe to work on like this?

Thx

 

[Bobb227]

I would not work on it with out insulated gloves and tools please be careful

 

[Silentrunning]

I would guess you have a grounding problem. But be sure to do what Bobb said.

 

[Ironsights]

Ya I'm not going to work on it if I don't know whats going on.

 

[mengelman]

Low impedence digital meters often show a small voltage on a dead circuit. See if you can find a analog meter. I bet it will say 0.

 

[Cableman]

Don’t work on it live, you have a ground loop. Check the entire circuit make sure there’s no Taps going to neutrals somewhere