Low voltage reading on OFF circuit

[harry3]

On standard residential house wiring (USA).
Working on a single circuit with the circuit breaker in OFF position at the wall.

When connecting a decent (Klein) multi-meter to black and neutral (white) wires I see a low voltage reading of .4260 (POINT four two six zero) showing on the multi-meter screen.

Does this reading mean something is wrong? Or can any one explain why I would see the low voltage reading when circuit is OFF?

 

[telectrix]

digital meters will give silly readings like this. you can even get similar without the leads connected to anything. nothing to worry about.

 

[Sintra]

More than likely just a little induced voltage from another circuit.

 

[Megawatt]

On standard residential house wiring (USA).
Working on a single circuit with the circuit breaker in OFF position at the wall.

When connecting a decent (Klein) multi-meter to black and neutral (white) wires I see a low voltage reading of .4260 (POINT four two six zero) showing on the multi-meter screen.

Does this reading mean something is wrong? Or can any one explain why I would see the low voltage reading when circuit is OFF?

Harry You have a multi function meter and if you had the power on and you read point .4260 it sounds to me like you have your meter on the wrong setting or you have tamper resistance receptacles

 

[Megawatt]

Harry You have a multi function meter and if you had the power on and you read point .4260 it sounds to me like you have your meter on the wrong setting or you have tamper resistance receptacles

Harry I miss read that you have the power off and your meter is probably fluxulating. It’s reading millivolts you have no problem with your meter

 

[static zap]

Capacitance is the "technical"cause
but 0.4 V is nothing to worry about.
(unless you are reading DC /when should be on AC !)

 

[harry3]

Thanks for helpful input