why do I read 120volts between the neutral and ground and 0 volts between hot and neutral?

Question

why do I read 120volts between the neutral and ground and 0 volts between hot and neutral? Is there a simple reason for that? It use to work before and now after I got that reading it doesn't.

Answer 1

Sounds like you have the hot leg tied to the neutral or something. The transformer at the street can go into phase reversal sometimes also.

If you have an ohm meter see if it shows short between hot to ground or neutral to ground, you should turn the power off of it first so you won't fry your meter.

The neutral should be bonded with the ground so it will show a short between the two, whichever shows a open to the others is the hot wire.

Answer 2

ROFLMMFAO @ Sean....Phase reversal @ a Transformer....The only way that could happen is on a Three Phase Transformer NOT a Standered residential single phase Transformer and the Phase reversal would only effect three phase motors......To answer the question, somehow the hot and neutral has gotten crossed some simple things like lamps and other 2 prong devices will still work because you are getting the 120v(even on the wrong leg here being the neutral) the hto wire acting as a ground they still are getting 120v you need to get a woodhead(receptacle tester) and see what it tells you on it, they can tell you if it's an open hot, reversed polarity etc.... Then go from there if you're not that confident Call an Electrician

Answer 3

There is a serious wiring problem, and you need to fix it yourself or get it fixed. In residential wiring, neutral and ground should be within a fraction of a volt of each other, and you should see 120 volts from hot to neutral or from hot to ground. I cannot speculate on the exact nature of the problem -- there are too many possible causes.

Answer 4

If this is at an outlet, turn off the power and check the wiring at the breaker box. The Black wire should connect to the breaker. And the White, and the Bare Copper should connect to the buss bar at the bottom of the box. I believe someone mixed them up. If you don't feel comfortable working in the circuit panel, call an electician. There is something wrong in there.

Answer 5

I had a similar problem a few years back in an older house I bought. The easiest solution, for around $10, you can get an outlet tester. You simply plug into each outlet and it will tell you if your wires are crossed or connected properly.