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Power problems in house Brooklin 11-27-2006
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Posted by Brooklin on November 27, 2006, 9:39 pm


We have a 8 year old house and have been having power problems the
last few days.

When we turn on any large (or high draw appliance-washer, microwave,
hair dryer etc) some of the lights dim (the incandescent ones) and
sometimes stay dim until the device shuts off. This is a new problem
and has never happened. We've not done any new wiring or added any new
appliances recently.

An electrician friend checked the breaker panel says it's probably a
bad 'neutral?' and to call the local utilities. The local utilities
checked the meter and said all was fine, but put a 'logger' on it to
check the meter over a day or two.

Thats where we are now, waiting for the utilities to come back to see
if they spot anything on the log.

In the meantime, (or if they say nothings wrong) anybody have any
guesses?

Thanks.

Radiant Heat 468x60
Posted by Edwin Pawlowski on November 27, 2006, 10:24 pm



> An electrician friend checked the breaker panel says it's probably a
> bad 'neutral?' and to call the local utilities.

> In the meantime, (or if they say nothings wrong) anybody have any
> guesses?

My guess is the bad neutral.



Posted by Big Al on November 27, 2006, 10:54 pm



>
> > An electrician friend checked the breaker panel says it's probably a
> > bad 'neutral?' and to call the local utilities.
>
> > In the meantime, (or if they say nothings wrong) anybody have any
> > guesses?
>
> My guess is the bad neutral.
>

If it's a bad neutral, some lights should get brighter. Just depends which
side of the neutral they're on.

Al



Posted by terry on November 28, 2006, 2:18 am



Big Al wrote:
> If it's a bad neutral, some lights should get brighter. Just depends which
> side of the neutral they're on.
.
Agree:
But it may depend on which 'leg' (and the common neutral) the lights
that happen to be on are connected to, at the time.
Or it may just be that although some lights are getting brighter it
just hasn't been noticed.
It does sound like a bad neutral and since an electrician has checked
inside the house it is most likely to be outside.


Posted by Pete C. on November 28, 2006, 8:58 am


Edwin Pawlowski wrote:
>
> > An electrician friend checked the breaker panel says it's probably a
> > bad 'neutral?' and to call the local utilities.
>
> > In the meantime, (or if they say nothings wrong) anybody have any
> > guesses?
>
> My guess is the bad neutral.

More likely a bad hot. A bad neutral would likely be blowing lights on
the "high" side in addition to dimming others. A bad connection on the
hot side would just give significant voltage drop (and heating of the
bad connection) under load.

Pete C.

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