I just don't know...

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I had a similar problem here in Fla. Comcast had a signal booster on the pole that had developed a ground fault that got into the coax shield. But I didn't figure that out till i had disconnected the coax feeder to the house. Of course a "cable guy" troubleshooter had already been to the house before me, and blamed it on the electrical system.
 
1793 said:
#1
The HO unplugged the power strip and moved to another receptacle and the problem is solved.
#2
everything seem to be fine until the PS2 was connected.
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These were the OP's own words. How could a CATV or neutral problem be factored into these facts?
 
I may be wrong here but should I be using a DMM to test from the coax shield part of the connector to say the TV's coax fitting to check for voltage?

After I check for voltage I thought I would head outside and ground the splitter that this Apartment Cable is connected to.

I'm still puzzled about the PS2 connection part. Everything is connected to the same power strip that is new as well.

Needless to say this is not my strong suit. I would like to get some kind of recap for this situation.
 
When the cable was hooked up at my place a year ago, the installer got hit by 90 volts. He said that there is a supply voltage of 90 volts. I was there when he got hit. I'm not sure if there is supposed to be voltage on the incoming line for the CATV but he got hit. He ended up running a new incoming line.
 
1793 said:
I'm still puzzled about the PS2 connection part. Everything is connected to the same power strip that is new as well.
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Just guessing, but this could have to do with how the devices are connected. If the PS2 is connecting with S-video, there may be a ground connection that does not exist in other cable types. Do all devices connect with the same connection type?
 
pbeasley said:
Just guessing, but this could have to do with how the devices are connected. If the PS2 is connecting with S-video, there may be a ground connection that does not exist in other cable types. Do all devices connect with the same connection type?
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PS2 is connected with an HDMI, Wii RCA, Cable & DVD coax.
 
A/A Fuel GTX said:
But Bob, the OP kind of affirmed the HO's actions in his first post.
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Given the info I have on this end I would still be looking to a neutral problem until I personally ruled that out.

There are few thing that can cause a good sized arc but not trip any breaker or fuse

An open or poor neutral is one type of problem that can measure full voltage (or close to it) and cause a large arc while not tripping anything.

Now that said .............. could it be something else? Of course it could.:smile: But I do know where I would start looking first.
 
1793 said:
I may be wrong here but should I be using a DMM to test from the coax shield part of the connector to say the TV's coax fitting to check for voltage?
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If it was me, I would start with making sure the receptacles are correctly wired. I would find a 'true ground' from the panel up to the room to meter against. Larry Fine suggests using an extension cord for this. In my work I can usually use building steel for this. I might also try to see if both receptacles are on the same leg of the service by measuring between the two hots, again an extension cord effectively moves the receptacles close together to make measurements from.

The fact that the problem appears to be only at one outlet is a puzzler. Personally I am thinking that might be an error in observations. I would want to see if there is a reason for this.

Some one mentioned this

Comcast had a signal booster on the pole that had developed a ground fault that got into the coax shield.
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Even if that is the case the coax shield must be bonded where it hits the home.

Good luck.
 
iwire said:
Given the info I have on this end I would still be looking to a neutral problem until I personally ruled that out.
...But I do know where I would start looking first.
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I have looked at the main panel for this Apartment and neutrals were tight. So one of the first actions would be to find the circuit that the suspect receptacle is on and turn it off, then look at each opening associated with that circuit for a bad neutral connection.
 
iwire said:
The fact that the problem appears to be only at one outlet is a puzzler. Personally I am thinking that might be an error in observations. I would want to see if there is a reason for this.
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Maybe it's a grounded receptacle that isn't, and the shields are doing double duty as EGC's.
 
LarryFine said:
Maybe it's a grounded receptacle that isn't, and the shields are doing double duty as EGC's.
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Not real sure if I'm following here. My main objective would be to verify the coax is isolated. Isolate the coax disconnect it at both ends and take readings. With it isolated you should not read anything to ground and vice versa. I'm not sure how the shield would be doing double duty it should be grounded to the egc unless the egc would be the problem. Next is there only one coax cable run if not see what you read on the others. Finnally I would string a new coax and see if the problem dissapears yea I know who has that length of coax laying around but you can pick 100' roll of this up fairly cheap obsorb it in the billing and save for future problems.
 
Strahan said:
Not real sure if I'm following here. My main objective would be to verify the coax is isolated. ...Finnally I would string a new coax and see if the problem dissapears yea I know who has that length of coax laying around but you can pick 100' roll of this up fairly cheap obsorb it in the billing and save for future problems.
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I actually have 500' of outdoor/Indoor cable with me and all of the connectors needed to make a new run.
 
OK I need more help.

I spent 2-1/2 hrs looking into this problem. This is what I've found.

The suspect outlet is a grounded receptacle. I have tested for voltage as follows: L-N=122, L-G= 122 and N-G=000. So I assume correct polarity. I disconnected the Coax from the Cable Box. This cable goes directly to the demark. When I test from the grounded circuit, suspect receptacle, L-Coax shield=000, N-Coax shield=122 and G-Coax shield=1222.

When I make the same test from a non-grounded circuit I get no readings at all.

I even went to a different grounded circuit, not sure if a different phase, and got the same 122 voltage readings on the Coax connector as well.

If anyone would be willing to chat with me about this just send me a PM and we could set up a time. I have just signed up on Skype.

As always, thanks
 
Your coax shield is energized. Isolate it from the demark and see if it is then clear. The problem could be coming from another apartment

1793 said:
OK I need more help.

I spent 2-1/2 hrs looking into this problem. This is what I've found.

The suspect outlet is a grounded receptacle. I have tested for voltage as follows: L-N=122, L-G= 122 and N-G=000. So I assume correct polarity. I disconnected the Coax from the Cable Box. This cable goes directly to the demark. When I test from the grounded circuit, suspect receptacle, L-Coax shield=000, N-Coax shield=122 and G-Coax shield=1222.

When I make the same test from a non-grounded circuit I get no readings at all.

I even went to a different grounded circuit, not sure if a different phase, and got the same 122 voltage readings on the Coax connector as well.

If anyone would be willing to chat with me about this just send me a PM and we could set up a time. I have just signed up on Skype.

As always, thanks
Click to expand...
 
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