120v Between live and earth on 240v supply

[Aisin]

As the title says my friend has this problem and i'm unsure where to start looking on this problem. I know my way round electrics but don't mess with the domestic side i'm more in tune with machinery and control systems i.e. Robotics and cnc controls.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated

 

[Chivers7]

Wear rubber boots in the house and call an electrician.

 

[davelx]

Where exactly is this being measured? It is indicative of an open-circuit earth connection.

Many appliances/computers/audio sysetms etc have suppressor capacitors fitted between L, N and E which will cause an open-circuit earth connection to float at half the supply voltage, i.e. 120V. For example, the chassis of an appliance will usually float to 120V if the earth conductor in the plug top is disconnected.

 

[Adam_151]

Don't forget also that cable also has capactiance (albeit quite small values), and it too can cause this effect if the impedance of the volt meter is high enough as to not collapse the voltage

 

[stevesey]

Don't forget also that cable also has capactiance (albeit quite small values), and it too can cause this effect if the impedance of the volt meter is high enough as to not collapse the voltage

Likewise for inductance.

 

[Aisin]

Sorry should of added it was the supply to a cooker switch. I found the problem last nite after I managed to get rid of my mate for five minutes the earth was acctually cut in the consumer unit (council property and they had some sub-contractors in the week before to fit a new consumer unit) but it has been cut far enough that it is too short to reach gonna drop a new cable in tonight and clear that one up. I really need to get back into house bashing haven't done none in years.
Cheers for th info tho guys didn't know about the impedance for the meter being a factor.
Oh I am an electrictian so no need to call one in. (How stupid do I look tho asking for help when really I should of got it straight away )

 

[DESL]

How stupid do I look tho asking for help when really I should of got it straight away

Don't feel stupid as it's always better to ask.

As I've said many times on here the only stupid question is the one that doesn't get asked.