Replies

1. 
   wallyo | Jan 26, 2008 08:40am | #1

   I had a client that had a similar problem the lights in the house started dimming first just a little then alot. Told him to call the power company when it was slight they montered it for a week and said not a supply problem then it started getting worse. That is when I referred him to my electrican. He did some readings was getting 115 on one side 80 on the other.

   Turned out that one of the main lugs above the main breaker had corrodided so bad it was almost floating free. It was not the set screw for the 0 wire it was the lug to rail connection.

   This pannel was only about 8 years old it was an exterior pannel with meter base on one side main breaker on the other with about 20 breaker slots. I think a combo pannel.

   So it could be something like that even a lug on the meter base, connection at the main the lug on the rail.

   DO NOT MESS WITH ANY THING ON THE SUPPLY SIDE OF THE MAIN BREAKER UNLESS QUAlIFIED IT IS LIVE!

   WALLYO

   
   

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   Edited 1/26/2008 12:42 am ET by wallyo

2. 
   roger g | Jan 26, 2008 08:56am | #2

   I once had some screwy readings at a customers house and it turned out to be aluminum wiring coming into the house.

    

   roger

3. 
   JHOLE | Jan 26, 2008 03:06pm | #3

   Not an electrician.

   Had this happen a few times.

   Once it was somehow caused by a reverse polarity outlet, still don't understand that one.

   Usually when I come across goofy electrical conditions, that are not easy to understand, I think neutral problems. Open, weak, intermittant.

   Sounds like the power is getting in to the house ok, then somewhere the problem is "backfeeding" the other leg.

   I would be concerned enough to make it right.

    

   Remodeling Contractor just on the other side of the Glass City

4. 
   MarkH | Jan 26, 2008 03:36pm | #4

   I would contact the power company.

5. 
   DanH | Jan 26, 2008 03:44pm | #5

   Yes, you should be concerned. Yes, you should call the power company. You have a potential "open neutral" situation, and this can be quite hazardous, in addition to being hard on devices in your house.

   If your view never changes you're following the wrong leader
6. 
   BillHartmann | Jan 26, 2008 04:58pm | #6

   That is definitly a bad neutral connection.

   Now that problem can be in the main panel, in the meter, in the serivce drop, and in the transformer.

   The meter and main panel are your responsibility.

   But the service connections are out in the weather and most likely the problem.

   So call the POCO and call immedaitaly. This can lead to fire and/or serious damage to electrical equipment.

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   A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.
1. 
   MSA1 | Jan 26, 2008 05:31pm | #7

   I dont know where cletus lives but if he's anywhere near me (in SE Mi) the POCO probably wont do anything.

   We did a job last year that included installing a new service. The cable running to the house was completely dry rotted.

   The guy came out from DTE and said "its fine" and left. My sparky agreed with me this cable was shot.

   I think they finally fixed it but it took over a month.

1. 
   BillHartmann | Jan 26, 2008 05:36pm | #8

   If they are smart they will do something and do it fast.This is a life and safety hazard and call to the state public service commision would get a quick response.And they also have a lot of liability, speically after being notified that there is a problem..
   .
   A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.

1. 
   MSA1 | Jan 26, 2008 06:05pm | #9

   Thats what I thought. If I remember correctly we had about a month left to the job when we called them and it hadn't been changed yet when we left.