I've got an existing 208 circuit L1 L2 G voltage on L1 to L2 is 208 voltage on L1 to G is 120 voltage on L2 to G is 88. shouldn't it be 208 120 120? I want to split the circuit into 2 120 lines.

 

You need to explain the source. Is it a 3phase Star (wye) supply? A centre tapped supply etc, etc?
3ph star if 208 between phases is 120v from phase to star neutral.
Max.

 

Don't know the supply, just that it's 2 legs of 3phase. I think wye. The cables are marked L1, L2, and Ground. If there was no center tap would this cause these readings running with just a ground?
If not what scenarios would cause these readings?

 

There is such a thing as 'Wild Leg Delta' where a phase is split and the split is taken to ground as a neutral?
But you would have to confirm the type of supply you have, the norm is 208 3ph Wye with the 120v to star point grounded neutral.
In this case you should have 120v to neutral (or ground).
Max.

 

You can't, legally or safely. If you had a neutral, then you could use L1 and N (or L2 and N), but you can NOT use a ground as a return. The only exceptions are grandfathered in for 3-wire ranges and dryers. To do this correctly, you will need a 208v - 120v transformer.
/mike

 

So what I'm hearing is no way should I be getting an 88 volt reading. That there must be something wrong .