In September 2009, we replaced our gas cooktop with a Kenmore induction cooktop. A couple of weeks ago we had a power surge and now our cooktop no longer works. After going through a couple of Sears repairmen, the public utility company (twice) and two independent electricians, the only thing they can all agree on that our house is drawing 260 volts.
The Sears people (two different technicians on two separate occasions) are saying that 260 volts is way too high, there’s no way this cooktop is going to work again unless we’re down in the 240 to 248 volt range. They think the utility should repair my transformer to lower the voltage coming into the house.
The linemen from the utility claim that 260 volts is within normal limits. The electrician from my solar company (we have a PV system and he came to check that it wasn’t causing problems) agrees that 260 is high, 250 more average, but 260 is not unacceptable.
I am going to escalate with the utility in the hopes that they will agree to fix my transformer and get me down to the 240 range, but in the meantime, I am just wondering if 260 volts really is unusual or way beyond what I should be expecting for my home. I have no knowledge in this area, nor do I know what voltage we were drawing prior to this power surge. All other appliances and electronics are working normally.
Replies
I think +- 5% is the usual tolerance, which means you should not have over 252 volts.
I don't think the voltage is high enough to be a problem though.
Most everything
that uses electricity has published voltage limits. Look at the specs on your stove and see what it says. If 260 is within the published spec, then Sears should make it work or replace it. If 260 is out of specs, you have a case for the utility to pay for somethin AND remedy the out f spec service.
The stove worked before the power surge, right? At what voltage?
260V is too high.
But arguing with a utility company is more futile than trying to convert Osama Bin Ladin to Buddism.
If the utility says they aren't going to fix it you are probably going to have to live with it. Do you have a surge protector on the panel?
A surge protector won't protect against 260V line voltage.
He did say the problem was caused by a surge. This voltage may just be a red herring from Sears to try to dodge the call.
>>He did say the problem was
>>He did say the problem was caused by a surge.
It was more than sears:
"After going through a couple of Sears repairmen, the public utility company (twice) and two independent electricians, the only thing they can all agree on that our house is drawing 260 volts".
Yeah, and sometimes "surge"
Yeah, and sometimes "surge" is a red herring. Any modern device should be immune to the vast majority of HV transients such as those caused by relatively distant lightning. The OP didn't indicate precisely what the failure mode was -- whether it was burned out electronics or burned out power circuitry. If it's the power circuitry (power SCRs or whatever that feed the induction coils) then the continuous high voltage is apt to be the problem, not "HV transients" which are much higher but brief.
260 volts
I suspect the transformer feeding the house was damaged. There are different taps on the secondary coil to deliver a desired voltage supply range. The surge may have damaged part of the secondary winding causing it to deliver voltage from the next (higher voltage) tap.