Since the neutral and the ground wires are bonded at the ground bar in the panel is it supposed to be a voltage differential between ground and neutral in the outlet? If I measure a voltage difference in the outlet isn't it something wrong there? Or is there a maximum allowed value?
The voltage difference is one reason for having seperate neutral and ground wires. The current flowing in the neutral line will cause a voltage drop over the length of the wire. That drop is the voltage difference you are measuring between ground and neutral. The amount of the drop depends on the size (diameter) and length of the wire and the current (amperage) flowing at the time of measurement.
It is almost never a problem if the electrical is code-compliant.
sdb
Actually, if the circuit is in use, a slight voltage differential is a good sign. (Like 1 or 2 volts.) Zero voltage differential might mean they're tied together too close to you.
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