Agitation cycle of washer causing lights to pulse

[Asiel]

Hmm…that’s why I progressed to using the surge and swells program on the Fluke 43 because the manual stated it was useful to record flicker.

 

[Asiel]

Here is additional info

 

[synchro]

On 12/9 I did a few tests using the min max feature on fluke 87 and a 187 on the load and non loaded phase. The time period started before agitation cycle and ended right after.

Loaded: max 124.8v min 123.2v . Avg 124.1v
Unloaded: max 124.8 min 124.0v Avg 124.2v

again:

Loaded: max 124.5v min 123.5v. Avg 124.2
Unloaded: max 124.8v min 124.0v Avg 124.3

here are videos of the latter results:

results of min max

video of middle of min max test

It was hard (at least for me) to observe much flicker on the lights in the video. You might try turning the exposure value down (in the negative direction) because the light may be causing saturation (i.e., clipping) at the high end of the sensor/digitizer range.

 

[kwired]

211222-1331 EST

synchro:

The CREE bulb is several years old (131005 purchased) labeled 120 V 9.5 W 2700 K 800 lumens on top. On base BA19-followed by long number.

This bulb has reasonably constant brightness with a sine wave down to about 60 to 80 V RMS. Somewhat uniform sine wave dimming from 60 to about 10 V. At about 10 V drops out.

Can't find my phase shift dimmer, but from memory this worked well with this bulb.


Asiel:

A 1/3 HP unloaded induction motor has a peak starting current of about 50 A, or 35 A RMS for about 6 cycles of 120 V 60 Hz power. Loaded the current doesn't change, but the number of cycles to get started increases.

.

My dryer has 1/3 hp motor. I can pick up 38a upon started up unloaded.


My washer has a bldc motor. Stator and rotor. Inverter controlled. I’m trying to find it’s rating. Wouldn’t this have a different inrush than an induction motor?

Now consider many dwellings have fairly light conductors and/or long distances before hitting your service entrance conductors and you may even have multiple dwellings supplied by said conductors and or the same source.

An electronically controlled washer motor that runs a couple seconds, stops then reverses and does this over and over may not have same inrush as a standard induction motor but is still pretty much accelerating the load every couple seconds or so and likely is going to drop voltage on the service/feeder every cycle of the agitation of the machine.

I get this kind of dimming of lamps in my house when washer is agitating, particularly with any lesser expensive LED lamps. Every time washer motor changes direction those lights dim some. They will dim when HVAC compressor starts or possibly even when my well starts but those don't cycle every couple seconds so it doesn't get as much attention.