I'm getting shocked by the ground wire here. I don't understand why the meter shows the same voltage through the hot and the ground as the hot & the neutral. I've never had a situation like this. Any ideas?

 

If you are getting a shock by just touching the ground wire, it would seem it is obviously not at ground potential?
The fact that the neutral shows a potential to the 'Ground' wire appears to prove this.
(That avatar threw me for a minute)
I think I have seen it before?
Max.

 

I'm getting shocked by the ground wire here. I don't understand why the meter shows the same voltage through(across?) the hot and the ground as the hot & the neutral. I've never had a situation like this. Any ideas?

That's the way it should be.

This should be confusing, Max

 

If you are getting a shock by just touching the ground wire, it would seem it is obviously not at ground potential?
The fact that the neutral shows a potential to the 'Ground' wire appears to prove this.
(That avatar threw me for a minute)
I think I have seen it before?
Max.

I agree with you that the ground is not at ground potential. But the OP didn't say there was a potential between ground and neutral. In fact, this info wasn't provided. OP mentioned hot-neutral and hot-ground.

Smileycrossbones - Can you provide a measurement between ground-neutral?

 

I'm getting shocked by the ground wire here. I don't understand why the meter shows the same voltage through the hot and the ground as the hot & the neutral. I've never had a situation like this. Any ideas?

If this is utility AC wiring contact a qualified electrician asap if you are being shocked by the ground wire.

 

If I understand OP that hot to ground and hot to neutral are the same, (and proper) then wiring is correct.

The shock is from the other source of body contact.

 

(That avatar threw me for a minute)
I think I have seen it before?
Max.

Imitation is the highest form of flattery.

 

smileycrossbones, you need to change your avatar. That one is already taken.

 

Don't scare him off.
I'm not that attached.

 

Change your shoes. I get shocked by my car all of the time when I get out. Its called static electricity.

BTW, if you get shocked by something, don't try touching it again...

 

I always touch the screw on the switch plate before adjusting my programmable thermostat - I killed the previous two with my static personality. It is annoying to feel the blue spark but butter than buying and installing a new thermostat.

OP,
The ground and neutral lines are connected in your fusebox. Check and report the third combination (ground to neutral). It should be zero volts.

Also, is this shock that you get a static blue spark or an invisible jolt that is felt way more than seen?

 

What else are you touching to get shocked?

You will not get a shock from any point of mains power unless touching something else.

If you are it's static, as suggested.

 

You will not get a shock from any point of mains power unless touching something else.

I

Not necessarily, if you receive a shock from simply touching a ground conductor that happens to be (incorrectly) live, it can go to earth through the body.
Max.

 

Not necessarily, if you receive a shock from simply touching a ground conductor that happens to be (incorrectly) live, it can go to earth through the body.
Max.

Then the other contact is earth.

Rare unless wet or barefoot.

When getting shocked you are immediately aware of the second connection.

 

Don't scare him off.
I'm not that attached.

OK. I was going to shout, "Heretic!" but you have first dibs.

 

OK. I was going to shout, "Heretic!" but you have first dibs.

Does that mean AAC is limited to one aviator of Tesla, too?

 

Where are you? The USA? As others have mentiond, it may be static electricity; very common this time of year with the furnace driving the humidity inside way down (there's more to It than that, but I digress...)

As has also been mentioned, ground and neutral are connected together at the service panel, and that is the ONLY place; the ground wire is never supposed to carry current as it is there to protect humans.

If your dwelling is more than a decade old, there is a fair chance that the ground wire is no longer connected to the grounding rod; which is a copper clad 5/8" rod driven over 8 feet into the ground. Homes in the States built before the 60s might have the ground tide to a copper water pipe; if so you need an upgrade to a ground rod.

A licensed electrician needs to come out to your place and check it out. If the quote you are given seems high, ask your local mortuary about the cost of your funeral & burial, and I guarantee you'll see the electrician ' quote a bargain by comparison.

He will have the knowledge, equipment, etc. to take care of it promptly and safely.