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Electrical Testing for Stray Voltage
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Summary: This article was originally intended for industrial applications but can be a helpful resource when using digital electrical testers for home applications as well as it applies to testing for stray electrical voltage. By: Dave Rongey |
How Stray Voltage Affects Multimeter Measurements
How Stray Voltage Affects Multimeter Measurements
...and What You Can Do About It.
This article was originally intended for industrial applications but can be a helpful resource when using digital electrical testers for home applications as well.
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For most electrical measurements in the industrial environment, a high impedance digital multimeter or electrical tester is the appropriate tool. These test instruments have a relatively high input impedance (>1 megohm), which means that when connected, they don’t load the circuit under test. These test tools generally will not affect circuit operation or circuit measurements when testing for stray electrical voltage. On the other hand, low impedance test instruments can seriously load down a circuit under test and, in some cases, can adversely affect circuit operation and circuit measurements. This can happen with sensitive control circuits or in many electronic circuits found within industrial machinery. |
However, even with a high impedance multimeter, there’s still one confusing measurement situation that can occur in facilities or manufacturing plants. It’s called stray or ghost voltage, and it happens specifically when using a high impedance test instrument for day to day measurements. Stray or ghost voltages occur from capacitive coupling between energized circuits and non energized, non connected adjacent wiring. Because of this coupling effect and the multimeter’s high impedance, it’s not always possible to determine if the circuit under test is energized or de-energized, and this creates confusion for the person performing the test. |
Where are stray voltages encountered?
The most common place to encounter stray voltage is in unused cable runs or electrical wiring in existing conduit. When facilities or buildings are built and wired, it's very common for electricians to pull extra wire through the conduit for future use.
These wires are typically left unconnected until needed, but are subject to capacitive coupling from the powered wires.
Another example is an open ground or neutral on a 120 V branch circuit or in card cages where 120 volt control circuits are used to control assembly line or conveyor functions.
What does stray voltage look like? Is this voltage real? Yes, it is, but it’s a static voltage, containing no real energy or current flow. When it comes to determining whether a circuit or connection is energized, this stray voltage reading presents a real source of confusion. Is the connection really hot or not? The Fluke TL225 Stray Voltage Adapter Test Lead Set
Warning This adapter should not be used on low voltage control circuits or anywhere where the circuit under test could be adversely affected by this low impedance load. The adapter is designed to handle continuously applied power system voltages without damage, however proper use of this adapter is for intermittent use to determine whether a circuit is energized or not. Sample measurement scenario when testing for stray electrical voltage:
This is the measurement displayed with the high impedance DMM between neutral and an unconnected wire in the same conduit as a 120 volt branch circuit feed. Note the high impedance meter is displaying 33 volts. This is a capacitively coupled stray voltage reading. |
The last reading is displaying the result of the measurement from the previous reading when the stray voltage adapter is placed in the circuit. Note that the reading is now 13 millivolts or very close to zero volts, a non-energized connection. Safety while testing for stray electrical voltage On a more personal safety note to keep in mind as your testing for stray electrical voltage: |
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