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Firstly, check how long this circuit is (in metres) as loss of voltage increases as the length of the cable run does and so you may need to 'upsize' the cable's cross-sectional area to allow more current and reduce the loss.

If it is just one breaker then you likely have a bad breaker that needs to be replaced. Another possibility is that your ground is floating at about 40 volts. This would typically cause problem for all breakers (circuits). Check connection to ground rod and bonding in panel between neutral and ground at main panel only. If you can provide the precise circumstances when this happens, it can help with diagnostics.

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12y ago
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5mo ago

A drop in voltage on a circuit can be caused by various factors, such as high electrical loads drawing more current than the circuit can handle, loose connections, voltage drop due to long wire runs, or issues with the circuit breaker or electrical panel. It is important to troubleshoot and fix the underlying cause to prevent damage to your electrical system.

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Q: Why does my 120 volt AC circuit drop to 80 volts?
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Can you wire a 120 volt ballast to a 347 volt circuit?

No, you cannot wire a 120 volt ballast to a 347 volt circuit. The ballast is designed to operate at a specific voltage, in this case 120 volts, and connecting it to a higher voltage circuit like 347 volts can damage the ballast and pose a safety hazard. It is important to match the voltage rating of the ballast to the circuit it will be connected to.


Can you use 240 volts with a 120 volt supply?

No, it is not possible to use 240 volts with a 120 volt supply directly. You would need a transformer to step up the voltage from 120 volts to 240 volts. Attempting to use 240 volts with a 120 volt supply without a transformer can damage equipment and pose a safety hazard.


What size wire for 110 volt 20 amp circuit 250 ft?

A #4 copper conductor will limit the voltage drop to 3% or less when supplying 20 amps for a distance of 250 feet at 120 volts.


How can I get 230 volt single pole wire from my house panel?

In North America you can not obtain 230 volts from just one single pole breaker. The distribution is like this, from a one pole breaker to neutral is 120 volts. From an adjacent breaker to neutral is 120 volts. From the adjacent breaker to adjacent breaker (breakers situated beside each other) the voltage will be 230 volts.If you want to incorporate a 120 to 230 volt transformer into the circuit you can obtain 230 volts. The primary side of the transformer will be connected to the 120 volt circuit and the secondary side of the transformer will output 230 volts. The transformer must be sized to the load amperage or the load wattage of the connected 230 volt load.


Can one leg of a 240 volt circuit be capped and the circuit breaker changed to make an existing 240 volt outlet into a 120 volt outlet?

No, you cannot simply cap one leg of a 240-volt circuit and change the breaker to convert it into a 120-volt outlet. This requires rewiring the circuit to provide 120 volts, including changing the outlet and possibly other components to be compatible with the lower voltage. It's recommended to consult with a licensed electrician to properly convert the outlet.

Related questions

Can you wire a 120 volt ballast to a 347 volt circuit?

No, you cannot wire a 120 volt ballast to a 347 volt circuit. The ballast is designed to operate at a specific voltage, in this case 120 volts, and connecting it to a higher voltage circuit like 347 volts can damage the ballast and pose a safety hazard. It is important to match the voltage rating of the ballast to the circuit it will be connected to.


Can a 120 volt appliance run on a 110 volt circuit?

Yes. Circuits in a home are 120 volts but people tend to call them 110 volt circuits. The 120 volts you read on the appliance is the maximum voltage the appliance can handle. The actual voltage you will read at any outlet will range from 110 to 120 volts.


Can you plug 120 volts into an 85 watt cigarette lighter in a car?

An automobile cigarette lighter uses 12 Volts DC. A typical 120 Volt circuit would destroy the 12 volt lighter.


Can you use 240 volts with a 120 volt supply?

No, it is not possible to use 240 volts with a 120 volt supply directly. You would need a transformer to step up the voltage from 120 volts to 240 volts. Attempting to use 240 volts with a 120 volt supply without a transformer can damage equipment and pose a safety hazard.


How volts comes from a 20amps breaker?

On most residential circuit breaker boxes in North America, each individual breaker represents one 120-volt circuit. Two breakers ganged together represent a 240-volt circuit.


What size wire for 110 volt 20 amp circuit 250 ft?

A #4 copper conductor will limit the voltage drop to 3% or less when supplying 20 amps for a distance of 250 feet at 120 volts.


Is a branch voltage in each branch of a parallel circuit less than the applied voltage?

Yes. In a 240 volt circuit, the total applied voltage is 240 volts but each leg is carrying only 120 volts.


How can I get 230 volt single pole wire from my house panel?

In North America you can not obtain 230 volts from just one single pole breaker. The distribution is like this, from a one pole breaker to neutral is 120 volts. From an adjacent breaker to neutral is 120 volts. From the adjacent breaker to adjacent breaker (breakers situated beside each other) the voltage will be 230 volts.If you want to incorporate a 120 to 230 volt transformer into the circuit you can obtain 230 volts. The primary side of the transformer will be connected to the 120 volt circuit and the secondary side of the transformer will output 230 volts. The transformer must be sized to the load amperage or the load wattage of the connected 230 volt load.


A 2000 watt heater connected to a 120 volt circuit will draw a current of?

Current (amps)=Watts/Volts =2000/120 =16.75 =16.75 amps


What is a 208 circuit?

The 208 volt configuration is one phase of a three phase source at 240 volts, where the 208 volt circuit is connected between the center tap of one 240 volt phase (usually a grounded neutral, in the style of a standard 120/240 split phase system) and the high delta connection on either of the other two phases. 208 circuit would consist of two phases of a 208 volt wye system or could be all three phases. The voltage between conductors would be 208 volts. The voltage to ground from any phase would be 120 volts. A 240 volt delta system would give you a high leg to ground, somewhere around 190 volts and the other two would be 120 volts to ground.


What is the volt of a zero watt bulb?

120 volts.


Why not put a 12 volt motor to replace the 120 volt motor in your freezer Will this work?

The voltage of 120 volts is more common that the lower voltage of 12 volts.