The 86 volts is likely phantom voltage. Only one of those wires is “neutral to the panel”. The other is “neutral when connected to the other neutral via the receptacle, but floating when by itself”. So that does not sound like a real problem.Jan 1, 2022

What should voltage be between hot and neutral?

115 V to 125 V





So, what do you find? Hot-neutral is the load voltage. Voltage should read about 120 V (typically 115 V to 125 V).

What happens if you put hot to neutral?

If the hot wire comes into contact with both the neutral and the ground, then it will flow through both wires back to the source but as the ground has less resistance more current will flow through it.

What causes a low voltage reading?

Old wires and corrosion are two of the common causes of low voltage. Another reason can be dirty connections and weak insulation. Apart from that, if the population increases the demand increases and this leaves an impact on the distribution of voltage.

How do you fix low voltage in a circuit?

Once you discover a low voltage electrical outlet, unscrew the plate and locate the ground, neutral and hot voltage wires. Tighten the screws that hold these wires in place. This might fix your issue. If any of the wires look corroded, strip them until you see shiny copper and clean the connections.

What happens if voltage is too low?





If the voltage is too low, the amperage increases, which may result in the components melting down or causing the appliance to malfunction.