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AllGreyThumbs
Storage Container Aficionado


Registered: 09/18/12
Posts: 849
Loc: Some savage little planet...
Last seen: 6 years, 1 month
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Re: any electricians want to help me make sense of this? [Re: orison]
#22041834 - 08/04/15 11:56 AM (8 years, 5 months ago) |
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For the record I'm actually an industrial electrician that has done some residential contracting work.
Anyway, based up the way large appliances won't run right it sound like your voltage is dropping way low. This could be for any number of reasons.
One reason could be a loose connection somewhere. This would be very bad as it can get extremely hot at a loose connection and even start a fire.
Another reason could be excess loading from inside the home. Just trying to run way too many things on a service that isn't large enough.
Another reason could be that the line voltage coming into the house is dropping. Not your fault at all.
All in all this is a fairly bad thing. Even if the problem is outside you home, trying to run appliances without adequate voltage can damage them. I mean think about that TV with the sound, but no picture, or the AC unit that hums but doesn't turn over. That isn't good for those things at all and I'd expect stuff to start breaking if this keeps up.
If I was you I'd go buy a cheap multimeter for less than $20 at a home improvement store or maybe even at Walmart. You can get one with the big clamp that will allow you to check current draws in addition to voltage.
Then you can check you voltage at various outlets or at the breaker box during problems and when things seem normal. You can plug things in and see what the voltage does,that sort of thing.
You can even use the clamp on Ammeter to clip onto individual circuit wires or on to the main feeder to figure out how much current your house is drawing and where it is going.
Basically you can start by checking voltage in some unused outlets by sticking on lead in each of the vertical slots. You should see around 120 Volts AC. If it is significantly less, like less than 110 you'll know you have a problem.
You can even read the voltage in the upper part of an outlet and then plug an air conditioner in to the lower one and turn it on to see what happens. You should see small voltage drops when you load a circuit, but nothing more than a few volts.
After that you can carefully take the cover off the breaker box and check voltages and currents from there. Maybe you should check back then,if you get that far, and someone can walk you through reading the voltage and currents in there. What you are looking for may depend on what you see out at the outlets.
-------------------- I only use drugs medicinally. If I don't my knees hurt from kneeling down.
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Stonehenge
Alt Center


Registered: 06/20/04
Posts: 14,850
Loc: S.E.
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Re: any electricians want to help me make sense of this? [Re: AllGreyThumbs] 1
#22041999 - 08/04/15 12:34 PM (8 years, 5 months ago) |
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If it was a problem of the lines not being able to supply enough amps then there would be a problem with all circuits, not just the one with the plugs. Putting a paper clip in the receptacle is idiotic and does no good. Get one of those cheap neon voltage testers or a multimeter.
As I said, its probably a bad connection somewhere. OP, don't try to fix it yourself, get an electrician.
-------------------- “A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. It can only exist until the voters discover that they can vote themselves largesse from the public treasury. From that moment on, the majority always votes for the candidates promising the most benefits from the public treasury with the result that a democracy always collapses over loose fiscal policy, always followed by a dictatorship.” (attributed to Alexis de Tocqueville political philosopher Circa 1835) Trade list http://www.shroomery.org/forums/showflat.php/Number/18047755
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wrestler_az
PsiLLy BiLLy



Registered: 08/11/02
Posts: 13,676
Loc: day dreams of a mad man
Last seen: 6 hours, 48 minutes
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Re: any electricians want to help me make sense of this? [Re: LogicaL Chaos]
#22042094 - 08/04/15 01:00 PM (8 years, 5 months ago) |
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so i flipped all the breakers off one by one, checking for restored power in between each and came up with nothing. unplugging everything grow room related had no effect either. will be calling an electrician tomorrow.
what i find strange (which maybe isnt, i dont really know) is that if it was an issue where i have too many things going at once or something like that, wouldnt this have happened sooner? i mean, we have been running everything the way its been set up all summer long and havent had any problems until now. and why would everything be affected except for the grow rooms?
-------------------- how's your WOW?
Edited by yageman (04/20/06 4:20 PM)
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wrestler_az
PsiLLy BiLLy



Registered: 08/11/02
Posts: 13,676
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Re: any electricians want to help me make sense of this? [Re: Stonehenge]
#22042114 - 08/04/15 01:08 PM (8 years, 5 months ago) |
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well, it does seem to be a problem with all the circuits, aside from the ones the grow rooms are on anyway. to clarify, all the outlets do seem to be working, there just seems to not be enough power coming out of them.
-------------------- how's your WOW?
Edited by yageman (04/20/06 4:20 PM)
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zappaisgod
horrid asshole


Registered: 02/11/04
Posts: 81,741
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Re: any electricians want to help me make sense of this? [Re: wrestler_az]
#22042120 - 08/04/15 01:10 PM (8 years, 5 months ago) |
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Your area may be experiencinng a brown out due to everybody running their AC. Is it hot as fuck there?
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wrestler_az
PsiLLy BiLLy



Registered: 08/11/02
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Re: any electricians want to help me make sense of this? [Re: zappaisgod]
#22042164 - 08/04/15 01:19 PM (8 years, 5 months ago) |
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its been a bit hot, ya... but nothing too crazy.
-------------------- how's your WOW?
Edited by yageman (04/20/06 4:20 PM)
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Stonehenge
Alt Center


Registered: 06/20/04
Posts: 14,850
Loc: S.E.
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Re: any electricians want to help me make sense of this? [Re: wrestler_az]
#22042249 - 08/04/15 01:49 PM (8 years, 5 months ago) |
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Nope, not a brown out. If it was that then the grow room would have problems too.
-------------------- “A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. It can only exist until the voters discover that they can vote themselves largesse from the public treasury. From that moment on, the majority always votes for the candidates promising the most benefits from the public treasury with the result that a democracy always collapses over loose fiscal policy, always followed by a dictatorship.” (attributed to Alexis de Tocqueville political philosopher Circa 1835) Trade list http://www.shroomery.org/forums/showflat.php/Number/18047755
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DurgaDurg
Stranger


Registered: 09/27/13
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Re: any electricians want to help me make sense of this? [Re: Stonehenge]
#22042418 - 08/04/15 02:34 PM (8 years, 5 months ago) |
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Sounds like it could have been a power power surge. How old is your house? You're going to need an electrician most likely. No ones gonna be able to troubleshoot for you herehere
-------------------- When you see him look him in the eye, look him in the eye and he won’t dare to follow If you need to, hook him with your right, hook him with your right till he wiggles and wallows He sleeps atop a bag of raven’s legs, curled up rats napping by his head Takes his eye out with a ball point pen And makes nunchaku with his torn off legs You wake up with a hatchet over your head You wake up with a hatchet over your head
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koods
Ribbit



Registered: 05/26/11
Posts: 106,059
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Re: any electricians want to help me make sense of this? [Re: DurgaDurg]
#22042440 - 08/04/15 02:39 PM (8 years, 5 months ago) |
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Power to most houses is supplied by two lines. One of 180 out of phase from the other. Your regular 120 volt circuits are supplied somewhat randomly by one or the other. 240 volt circuits are supplied by both. Sounds like one of those lines isn't working.
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NotSheekle said “if I believed she was 16 I would become unattracted to her”
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koods
Ribbit



Registered: 05/26/11
Posts: 106,059
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Re: any electricians want to help me make sense of this? [Re: koods]
#22042470 - 08/04/15 02:46 PM (8 years, 5 months ago) |
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If you have a volt meter, test a 240 outlet. Test one prong against ground and then the other prong against ground. They both should read ~120v my guess is one won't.
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NotSheekle said “if I believed she was 16 I would become unattracted to her”
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koods
Ribbit



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Re: any electricians want to help me make sense of this? [Re: Stonehenge]
#22042502 - 08/04/15 02:53 PM (8 years, 5 months ago) |
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Quote:
Stonehenge said: If it was a problem of the lines not being able to supply enough amps then there would be a problem with all circuits, not just the one with the plugs. Putting a paper clip in the receptacle is idiotic and does no good. Get one of those cheap neon voltage testers or a multimeter.
As I said, its probably a bad connection somewhere. OP, don't try to fix it yourself, get an electrician.
Like I said, houses are supplied by two lines. One sounds like it's working right, and the other isn't.
It's possible when they wired up the house, the electrician put too many circuits (or too many high wattage appliances) on one line.
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NotSheekle said “if I believed she was 16 I would become unattracted to her”
Edited by koods (08/04/15 02:55 PM)
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zappaisgod
horrid asshole


Registered: 02/11/04
Posts: 81,741
Loc: Fractallife's gym
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Re: any electricians want to help me make sense of this? [Re: koods]
#22042765 - 08/04/15 03:51 PM (8 years, 5 months ago) |
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AC and Refrig usually have dedicated circuits.
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Lophosaurus
suruasohpol


Registered: 08/09/07
Posts: 8,744
Loc: CA
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Re: any electricians want to help me make sense of this? [Re: zappaisgod]
#22042835 - 08/04/15 04:03 PM (8 years, 5 months ago) |
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It sounds like you lost 1 leg of your service or it has become loose. Is your 240v equipment working? Like if you turn on the oven does it heat up? Is your water heater working?
Take the cover off your panel and see if you notice any burn marks anywhere. Especially the big wires at the top/bottom of the panel. Just be careful and don't touch anything inside of the panel if you don't know what you're doing.
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Stonehenge
Alt Center


Registered: 06/20/04
Posts: 14,850
Loc: S.E.
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Re: any electricians want to help me make sense of this? [Re: Lophosaurus]
#22042975 - 08/04/15 04:23 PM (8 years, 5 months ago) |
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If he lost one leg of the 240 circuit, then some circuits would be out entirely, about half of them. It would not make the plugs intermittent. The water heater would still work just not get as hot. Probably a bad connection somewhere. Good point about looking for overheating in the panel box. Just don't touch anything.
-------------------- “A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. It can only exist until the voters discover that they can vote themselves largesse from the public treasury. From that moment on, the majority always votes for the candidates promising the most benefits from the public treasury with the result that a democracy always collapses over loose fiscal policy, always followed by a dictatorship.” (attributed to Alexis de Tocqueville political philosopher Circa 1835) Trade list http://www.shroomery.org/forums/showflat.php/Number/18047755
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koods
Ribbit



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Posts: 106,059
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Re: any electricians want to help me make sense of this? [Re: Stonehenge]
#22042993 - 08/04/15 04:26 PM (8 years, 5 months ago) |
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240 v circuits would not work at all because there wouldn't be a complete circuit if one of the legs is down.
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NotSheekle said “if I believed she was 16 I would become unattracted to her”
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Lophosaurus
suruasohpol


Registered: 08/09/07
Posts: 8,744
Loc: CA
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Re: any electricians want to help me make sense of this? [Re: Stonehenge]
#22043049 - 08/04/15 04:36 PM (8 years, 5 months ago) |
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Oh I thought some circuits were completely out. Didn't realize they were intermittent. Could still be that he has a loose leg. A 240v won't heat when there is a leg missing,that would create an open circuit.
Could be loose wires in the panel or on the outlets too. You can turn off your main breaker or every breaker in the panel, or do both to be safe. Then tighten every screw on each breaker and the nuetrals. If you don't feel safe then ask a neighbor if they would help you. Otherwise call an electrician.
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wrestler_az
PsiLLy BiLLy



Registered: 08/11/02
Posts: 13,676
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Re: any electricians want to help me make sense of this? [Re: wrestler_az]
#22054576 - 08/06/15 05:11 PM (8 years, 5 months ago) |
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so apparently it was a faulty main breaker, which i was completely unaware we had. it was hiding out back by the meter. but what still confuses me, is why the grow rooms werent affected. if it was the main breaker, youd think it would hit the whole house? i wasnt home when the electrician came by so i wasnt able to talk to him...
-------------------- how's your WOW?
Edited by yageman (04/20/06 4:20 PM)
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searching



Registered: 06/08/11
Posts: 4,128
Last seen: 5 months, 4 days
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Re: any electricians want to help me make sense of this? [Re: wrestler_az]
#22054601 - 08/06/15 05:19 PM (8 years, 5 months ago) |
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Your grow room must have been wired on its own circuit, which could be bad if he has no circuit breaker in line with it.
Try shutting off the main breaker then all of the other ones. One of them should shut off the grow room, but if it doesn't then that's bad. Hopefully nothing in there ever shorts out if so it could start a fire.
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Edited by searching (08/06/15 05:19 PM)
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Stonehenge
Alt Center


Registered: 06/20/04
Posts: 14,850
Loc: S.E.
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Re: any electricians want to help me make sense of this? [Re: searching]
#22054675 - 08/06/15 05:39 PM (8 years, 5 months ago) |
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Its not the main breaker if it doesn't cut out the grow room. It still sounds fishy, too bad you couldn't talk to the electrician directly. It was probably one of the other breakers that was faulty or intermittent.
There is no way your grow room is wired directly to power coming in, it has to go through the panel first. Try shutting of various breakers like searching said to see which one it was.
-------------------- “A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. It can only exist until the voters discover that they can vote themselves largesse from the public treasury. From that moment on, the majority always votes for the candidates promising the most benefits from the public treasury with the result that a democracy always collapses over loose fiscal policy, always followed by a dictatorship.” (attributed to Alexis de Tocqueville political philosopher Circa 1835) Trade list http://www.shroomery.org/forums/showflat.php/Number/18047755
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koods
Ribbit



Registered: 05/26/11
Posts: 106,059
Loc: Maryland/DC Burbs
Last seen: 1 hour, 34 minutes
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Re: any electricians want to help me make sense of this? [Re: wrestler_az]
#22054688 - 08/06/15 05:41 PM (8 years, 5 months ago) |
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Quote:
wrestler_az said: so apparently it was a faulty main breaker, which i was completely unaware we had. it was hiding out back by the meter. but what still confuses me, is why the grow rooms werent affected. if it was the main breaker, youd think it would hit the whole house? i wasnt home when the electrician came by so i wasnt able to talk to him...
Because only one of the two incoming legs was effected.
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NotSheekle said “if I believed she was 16 I would become unattracted to her”
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