50Volts on unswitched circuit

[AnnanLAD]

Hi all, I have had two transformers 'blow' in two months.
When testing my 2 way lighting circuit, I find there is 50Volts on unswitched circuit between earth and switch wire and switch wire and neutral....
Can anyone tell me what could be happening?
Thanks Lee

 

[AnnanLAD]

anyone??

 

[TicklyT]

Probably an induced voltage from capacitive coupling in the cables. It shows up more in 2-way lighting circuits, as the interconnecting 'strappers' between the switches as well as the switched live wire are affected. The voltage would probably collapse as soon as any meaningful load was connected, and could only be seen with a relatively high impedance volt meter.

Sometimes it causes low energy compact flourescent lamps to flash intermittently, but it is generally of little consequence otherwise.

 

[AnnanLAD]

Thanks for the response.

However how or why would this cause the transformer to blow?

Just tested the supply voltage on this circuit to find it was 266V, therefore may have answered my own question...

 

[Spark123]

That is a bit on the high side, you'll need to notify your electricity supplier so they can come out and measure it - they'll maybe also put a recorder on it at your meter. I have had them turn the voltage down at the sub station before today.

 

[AnnanLAD]

yeah, thats what i'll do. I'll ring them first thing monday. My worry now is the rest of my electrical equipment burning out if the voltage is so high.