Electrified Drywall???

[chaga (Christopher L. Haga)]

LAME

[dhays (David Hays, CMI)]

@chaga

Had a non contact voltage tester indicate low voltage in an 8’ x 8’ section of a garage wall. I would get continuous readings when testing at random spots on this wall (top, middle, bottom). Once getting to a certain point on the wall… nothing. I tested the opposite side of the wall (kitchen side) and tester would go off as well in all spots. I (reluctantly) touched the wall and used thermal imager and found no indications of issue. Now, this is the same wall that the main panel is attached to, no issues found within the panel either. SO…I’m just wondering, WTH???

First, stop testing drywall with your non contact voltage tester. Drywall and the paper on it are not conductive.

Second, it is picking up the power from the panel on the other side of the wall.

Third, who taught you to be testing drywall for voltage?

[sfetty (Dave Fetty, CMI)]

Next time you drive under a high power line stop and breaker out your sniffer.