Hot & neutral have similar voltage to ground: Finding the problem Part 2
It sounds as though your "ground" circuit is not grounded. The effect of this would be as you describe due to leakage current in the circuits. (This may be entirely due to capacitance between the wires and would not normally be a problem.)







simulate this circuit &ndash; Schematic created using CircuitLab

Figure 1. With a disconnected ground wire capacitance between wires may show readings, on a sensitive meter, of about half supply.

Given that other apartments are having similar problems it appears that a similar problem exists at the common ground termination at the distribution board, or fuseboard.

See my answer to In any electrical equipment having single ph 230 v ac supply ,if neutral and earth wire exchanged then what will be the consequence if you need more information on how the ground wire is designed to protect you.

A simple test







simulate this circuit

Figure 2. Testing with a temporary ground wire.

A safe way to check this would be as follows (and in the sequence specified):


Drive an earth rod or metal rod into the ground outside your appartment.
Connect an insulated wire, long enough to reach into the apartment, to the rod. Pass the wire through a window.
Connect the wire to the earth pin of a three pin mains plug.
Hook up your meter and watch the readings as you plug in and out your earth connection. If the problem is as I have drawn it you should see the N-GND voltage drop very close to 0 V and the L-GND go to 115 V.


Disconnect in the reverse sequence. As you have a fault on the ground wiring you've got to treat it as live so you keep the other end grounded properly until you've removed the wall plug.