protoolman
Hunter
Had you exact problem. A tree had rubbed through the neutral outside the house. Some lights dim some lights real bright. Fluctuated by the minute. Took out my fridge, TV and computer.
Electrical advice
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Mo
As stated prior it will very likely be a NEUTRAL wire burning or shorting out
If overhead service it can be rubbing (shorting) which will cause the spike
That IS the utilities problem
Spiking to 140 volts on one leg is dangerous not only in burning out light bulbs but also microwave & more serious air conditioner compressor
It needs attention ASAP
In reference to 220 volt, 230 volt 240 volt
That is all the same general term in reference to 2 poles of power
Using your meter the closest & most nominal is 240 volts - so that is the more correct voltage to speak of
120 volt - 240 volt & used all over the USA
As stated prior it will very likely be a NEUTRAL wire burning or shorting out
If overhead service it can be rubbing (shorting) which will cause the spike
That IS the utilities problem
Spiking to 140 volts on one leg is dangerous not only in burning out light bulbs but also microwave & more serious air conditioner compressor
It needs attention ASAP
In reference to 220 volt, 230 volt 240 volt
That is all the same general term in reference to 2 poles of power
Using your meter the closest & most nominal is 240 volts - so that is the more correct voltage to speak of
120 volt - 240 volt & used all over the USA
Customer two years ago complained that when she ran her washing machine (120volts) the lights in the house dimmed but when she ran her dryer (240) nothing happened... her electrician did not have a clue... I walked around the house (actually on the roof) and looked down at the over head feed to her meter and the squirrels had chewed almost completely through the bare neutral feed line.
graygun
Hunter
Jeepnik said:
DC voltages can/will be whatever they were designed to operate. Your cptr p.s. provides +5,-5,+12,-12 and probably other voltages. The various components inside run on one or more of those voltages. The +5 will have the largest current rating because most stuff in there runs on that.
jgt
Blackhawk
I have seen power companies use a recording device that hooks up to your line and records on a graph what happens. If left on for 24 to 48 hours it should show what is taking place. To just arbitrarily replace the transformer and reconnect all the connections seems like a poor replacement for troubleshooting the cause of the problem. They may or may not be lucky enough to eliminate the source of the problem with that course of action. It is like replacing the battery, then the alternator, then the switches in a car to get the headlights to work. You get a lot of new parts and it my cure the problem, but it may not.
If you have any friends with an infra-red camera or visual device you could look at all the connections on your side and see if there are any hot spots. Loose connections are always a source of heat.
The problem you described could be a number of things so you have to keep an open mind when troubleshooting. The thing that stands out is the yard light that is connected on the line side of the meter. If I was a lineman troubleshooting this, that would be a red flag. But that does not mean it is not something other than the transformer.
If you have had recent storms in your area, the power company is likely super busy with repairs and brushed you off as a low priority. You did good to go talk to someone higher up.
If you have any friends with an infra-red camera or visual device you could look at all the connections on your side and see if there are any hot spots. Loose connections are always a source of heat.
The problem you described could be a number of things so you have to keep an open mind when troubleshooting. The thing that stands out is the yard light that is connected on the line side of the meter. If I was a lineman troubleshooting this, that would be a red flag. But that does not mean it is not something other than the transformer.
If you have had recent storms in your area, the power company is likely super busy with repairs and brushed you off as a low priority. You did good to go talk to someone higher up.
"I have seen power companies use a recording device that hooks up to your line and records on a graph what happens. If left on for 24 to 48 hours it should show what is taking place."
Ameran UE did that when I was having computer problems at my office. They determined that middle of the night power surges were the culprit and replaced the transformer solving the problems.
Ameran UE did that when I was having computer problems at my office. They determined that middle of the night power surges were the culprit and replaced the transformer solving the problems.
If you do not have a UPS for your computers, this is the time to buy one (or more) ASAP. Fluctuations in power will kill non laptops in short order.
https://www.howtogeek.com/161479/how-to-select-a-battery-backup-for-your-computer/
good observation on your part;
I also thought that three houses on this 6 customer line have done or are in the process of doing major repairs from the horrendous wind and hail storm we had in May. Now wondering if other connections have been disrupted w/o anyone really noticing.
Trouble in "the neighborhood" all on the same side of a transformer is a indication of looking for damage on all the wiring. I have had contractors dig up grounding probes and toss them aside when doing work. That was easy troubleshooting for me once the customer told me about the addition they were doing. Storm damage can sometimes be seen easily when walking a complete line looking carefully.
Since you seem like you are willing to plug in a meter, why not buy a recording meter. This meter "may" be less than a service call from an electrician and you will have it for years instead of a single visit.
http://support.fluke.com/find-sales/Download/Asset/3325448_6006_ENG_C_W.PDF
https://www.fluke-direct.com/product/fluke-289-true-rms-industrial-logging-multimeter
https://www.howtogeek.com/161479/how-to-select-a-battery-backup-for-your-computer/
good observation on your part;
I also thought that three houses on this 6 customer line have done or are in the process of doing major repairs from the horrendous wind and hail storm we had in May. Now wondering if other connections have been disrupted w/o anyone really noticing.
Trouble in "the neighborhood" all on the same side of a transformer is a indication of looking for damage on all the wiring. I have had contractors dig up grounding probes and toss them aside when doing work. That was easy troubleshooting for me once the customer told me about the addition they were doing. Storm damage can sometimes be seen easily when walking a complete line looking carefully.
Since you seem like you are willing to plug in a meter, why not buy a recording meter. This meter "may" be less than a service call from an electrician and you will have it for years instead of a single visit.
http://support.fluke.com/find-sales/Download/Asset/3325448_6006_ENG_C_W.PDF
https://www.fluke-direct.com/product/fluke-289-true-rms-industrial-logging-multimeter
Jeepnik said:
In Canada the domestic voltage is 120/240 volt in the US it's 115/230 volt the equipment is rated for either voltages so the apliances will work in both countries. With a broken neutral condition you will get a very low voltage on one hot conductor ex 80-90 volts and on the other leg 150 and higher voltage which will play havoc on electronics and appliances.
Harv journeyman electrician
"In Canada the domestic voltage is 120/240 volt in the US it's 115/230 volt"
The electric cooperative supervisor stated "we'd like to see our delivery in the 235-245 volt range regardless of load".
The electric cooperative supervisor stated "we'd like to see our delivery in the 235-245 volt range regardless of load".
Jeepnik
Hawkeye
And then we have the stuff used elsewhere in the world. In Spain we had 220v 50 htz. If you wanted to use any US electricals you had to have a transformer.
I had a US frig. It required a massive transformer. But it did amaze the locals by it's size. They still shopped daily and had small refrigerators and very few freezers.
I had a US frig. It required a massive transformer. But it did amaze the locals by it's size. They still shopped daily and had small refrigerators and very few freezers.
Colonialgirl
Hawkeye
England goes with the 240 Volt Variety and I believe so does Thailand.
