My contractor removed multiple ceiling fans and I am replacing them with new fans. There is a red, black (hot) and white (neutral) wire. Is it normal for only the red wire to have 120V AC? An AC meter reads 18V across the black and white wires: 120V AC across the red.
Updates
Good questions are appreciated. Updates will be edited here to respond to good diagnostic questions:
- This non-standard wiring was observed in 3+ fixtures
- Each fixture is controlled with a single switch
- All fans for this discussion are ceiling fans
- Black to white AC potential is 18V
- I believe that I have not mistaken green for black
Current configuration: Wired and powered new fans with Red wire and is controlled by a switch in the wall
It is puzzling that the Black-White potential is anything other than 120V
Best Answer
I think the red wire is to control the attached light via a switch.
Try the link below for more info.