Using a voltmeter on an energized receptacle, if the leads are connected between certain points, what voltage would be indicated under normal conditions?

When using a voltmeter on an energized receptacle, the expected voltage reading under normal conditions is typically 120 volts in residential and commercial applications in the United States. This is the standard voltage for most electrical receptacles that power common household appliances, tools, and lighting.

The voltmeter measures the potential difference between the two connections made with its leads. In a properly wired and functioning circuit, connecting the meter leads across the hot and neutral terminals of a standard receptacle will indicate approximately 120 volts.

This value can vary slightly due to load or distance from the transformer, but it should remain close to this nominal voltage. If the leads are connected across other configurations, such as between two hot leads (in a 240-volt application) or hot and ground, the reading would differ, but for a standard single-phase receptacle, the expected reading is 120 volts.