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KS_03

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I had a garage and was running a new power line since the old one got torn. The distance is about 120 feet and it supplies 3 light bulbs all (60 WATTS)The old wire was just a 12 guage no ground the new one is a 12-2. Inside where the wires connect is an old porcelin screw in fuse bus. I replaced the line and turn the lights on they were very dim. I checked all my connections, replaced the fuses and changed light bulbs still dim bulbs. The bulbs were bright before and i'm not for sure what may be going on any suggestions??
 
KS_03 said:
I had a garage and was running a new power line since the old one got torn. The distance is about 120 feet and it supplies 3 light bulbs all (60 WATTS)The old wire was just a 12 guage no ground the new one is a 12-2. Inside where the wires connect is an old porcelin screw in fuse bus. I replaced the line and turn the lights on they were very dim. I checked all my connections, replaced the fuses and changed light bulbs still dim bulbs. The bulbs were bright before and i'm not for sure what may be going on any suggestions??
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If the old line got torn and there was a fault because of it, you may need to do some checking of connections at points other than for the line you installed.

Any weak connections of the wiring in the garage could have been made weaker by the fault created when the old line was damaged.
 
Check the main fuse in the fuse panel. Sounds like one phase is out and you are getting feedback thru the other phase.
 
Did you change any of the connections inside? Any chance you have some bulbs in series?

Also, like Friz said, you could have a new problem. When the wire got snatched, it could have pulled some connected conductors into a staple or something and that may be causing a high impedance fault.

Measure your voltage and currents (with connections opened and closed) and report back.
 
KS_03 said:
I had a garage and was running a new power line since the old one got torn. The distance is about 120 feet and it supplies 3 light bulbs all (60 WATTS)The old wire was just a 12 guage no ground the new one is a 12-2. Inside where the wires connect is an old porcelin screw in fuse bus. I replaced the line and turn the lights on they were very dim. I checked all my connections, replaced the fuses and changed light bulbs still dim bulbs. The bulbs were bright before and i'm not for sure what may be going on any suggestions??
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There may be an open neutral condition in the house some where most comonly pocos fault . Check the volt and amps at the service under load line-ground, line-neutral,line -line. Pull meter and check for obvious problems and physically inspect incoming line back to xformer.
Personally I think Mivey is correct and you put the lights in series.
 
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KS_03:

As a learning experience get a voltmeter and a long wire (extension cord works well). Connect the wire to the ground electrode. If copper or iron pipe is the supply pipe connect to it at the entry point to the house. This becomes your voltage reference point.

If you use an extension cord, then use the ground pin wire of the cord. Connect the meter to the other end of the wire and probe various points and check voltage. Use this technique to trace the problem or other problems. If you need to lower the impedance of the meter put a 100 W bulb in parallel with the meter. This is about 120*120/100 = 14400/100 = 144 ohms at 120 V. At lower voltages it is a lower resistance.

If you are an electrician, then you should be able to find the problem. You might let us know what training you have had.

.
 
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I would think loose or dirty connection, or you may have wired the lights in series by accident, you could have lost a neutral, or you may have lost a phase in the panel, but if that was the case you would probably notice allot of other stuff not working. Nothing you can't find out with a basic tester. Remember to be careful and know when to call for help. good luck
 
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LLSolutions said:
I would think loose or dirty connection, or you may have wired the lights in series by accident, you could have lost a neutral, or you may have lost a phase in the panel, but if that was the case you would probably notice allot of other stuff not working. Nothing you can't find out with a basic tester. Remember to be careful and know when to call for help. good luck
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Professional electricians do not accidently wire lights in series!!
 
Bob's been busy!

iaov said:
Professional electricians do not accidently wire lights in series!!
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No, but I did wire the two bulbs in an exit sign in series on purpose once.

It was in a night club, and they were way too bright. The owner was very happy.

On battery during a power failure, the other two bulbs still lit at full brightness.
 
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