Multifamily Dw. Power Issues

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jemsvcs

Senior Member
Got a call about a multifamily dwelling (4 units) where one unit's power randomly goes out without and breakers tripping (either at the panel or the service disconnect at the meter center)...and then just as randomly comes back on. There are no reported power issues with any of the other units.

Any ideas?
 
Re: Multifamily Dw. Power Issues

Malicious mischief? How do you know that no breakers are tripped? Have you (or has another person you trust to be reliable) verified that all breakers are on at the same time that the power to that unit is off?
 
Re: Multifamily Dw. Power Issues

The xformer that services that bldg is also svcing another bldg. Verify that the other bldgs are NOT losing power then you can isolate it to the bldg that you were called to svc. Then troubleshoot from the meter into the bldg....panel, j-boxes and so on.
 
Re: Multifamily Dw. Power Issues

Charlie...nope, nothing has been verified yet. The call came in from the property manager. It sounded kind of fishy to me but i'm headed out there tommorrow to see what I can find out. Of course, while i'm there i'm sure there will be no sign of the problem :D

I have been to these units before for other reasons and I do know that most of the meter centers look like they were installed in the Pre-Cambrian Era...and they have the rust spots to prove it!

[ April 28, 2004, 07:01 PM: Message edited by: jemsvcs ]
 
Re: Multifamily Dw. Power Issues

Not that this is common, but I did come across a problem like this once. Turns out it was a faulty breaker. Actually, now that I think about it, I have come across this problem a few times. Faulty breakers. Really hard to figure out, easy to fix when all other possibilities are eliminated.

Paul
 
Re: Multifamily Dw. Power Issues

I've seen this type of problem with old Zinsco panels. These have aluminum bus bars and in moist conditions are subject to corrosion at the connection to plug-in breakers. Look for signs of arcing and overheating where the main breaker plugs on to the bus. This condition can cause intermittent power failures on one or both phases. If only one phase is affected, power to some of the 120v circuits & all the 240 volt circuits will cycle on & off at random. Look & listen for a tell-tale sizzle at the main.
 
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