Here's the issue, and I welcome any comment. I train for a large cable co. and recently we had techs bring in splitters or cable that were melted from voltage. The most recent one was checked by myself and an electrician. I found outlets that were grounded, ungrounded and 3prongs that were not actually grounded. Testing from the cable outlets to the ground showed some voltage with our inductive tester. The electrician verified what I had found but said that the home appeared to have been grounded properly. Panel,water, rod etc. The owner stated that the lights "flicker" when the furnace cycled so the electrician put a load on all the circuits and tested. He confirmed that there was significant voltage and amps between the inside cable lines and the ground, but had no explanation. We know it's not coming from the drop. The only thing I could guess is that the furnace is either arcing, wired incorrectly, switched neutral or something. We find outlets that are "hot" and would really like an explanation and maybe some tips on pinpointing the issue. Thanks
bonding
- Thread starter Kevlar
- Start date
- Status
stud696981
Senior Member
Re: bonding
It kind of sounds like an open or loose neutral. Current probably flowed on the cable line, over loaded it, and melted it due to the neutral problem.
It kind of sounds like an open or loose neutral. Current probably flowed on the cable line, over loaded it, and melted it due to the neutral problem.
Re: bonding
The starting current of the furnace blower, is dropping voltage in all circuits that it is connected to, because of a loose connection somewhere in that circuit. The loose connection is causing more resistance in the circuit. May overheat this joint. IMHO. Interested to know your results.
The starting current of the furnace blower, is dropping voltage in all circuits that it is connected to, because of a loose connection somewhere in that circuit. The loose connection is causing more resistance in the circuit. May overheat this joint. IMHO. Interested to know your results.
- Location
- Illinois
- Occupation
- retired electrician
Re: bonding
In a code compliant installation, your cable is in parallel with the service neutral conductor. If there is a problem with the neutral between the utility transformer and the service disconnect, more of the neutral current will flow on the cable system.
In a code compliant installation, your cable is in parallel with the service neutral conductor. If there is a problem with the neutral between the utility transformer and the service disconnect, more of the neutral current will flow on the cable system.
Re: bonding
In the opinion of the experts here, what do you think the stance of the cable operator should be. We are trying to come up with a standard here. Some of these situations wont rear their ugly head till it's too late, but I don't want anyone to get hurt here. What would be the best testing method for us to verify a properly wired home? We have polarity testers, VOMs, foreign voltage detectors and the like to use as tools.
In the opinion of the experts here, what do you think the stance of the cable operator should be. We are trying to come up with a standard here. Some of these situations wont rear their ugly head till it's too late, but I don't want anyone to get hurt here. What would be the best testing method for us to verify a properly wired home? We have polarity testers, VOMs, foreign voltage detectors and the like to use as tools.
Re: bonding
Don,
We did have an instance recently where the neutral was disconnected at the mast. This actually started the cable line on fire. The job in question though looks good there. I do believe that the loose neutral inside somewhere on the shared circuit is the issue. I also know that this will be labor intensive for an electrician. What should we do as a cable provider and how can we test on the initial install to try to eliminate this problem? I know that we can't simulate all situations, but are looking for a best effort test. Thanks
Don,
We did have an instance recently where the neutral was disconnected at the mast. This actually started the cable line on fire. The job in question though looks good there. I do believe that the loose neutral inside somewhere on the shared circuit is the issue. I also know that this will be labor intensive for an electrician. What should we do as a cable provider and how can we test on the initial install to try to eliminate this problem? I know that we can't simulate all situations, but are looking for a best effort test. Thanks
- Status