Over-voltage

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skorper

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Orange County, California
I have a strange problem;

This is a residence. There are 3 circuits involved in this problem.
Circuit #1 has a gas dryer plugged into it.
Circuit #2 has a TV and cable box plugged into it.
Circuit #3 has an entertainment system plugged into it.

Problem: When you turn on the dryer (gas and is measured at 122VAC) Circuits #2 and #3 voltage goes up to 158VAC. Everything that is plugged into these circuits reboot. The over-voltage is measured all the way back to the breaker panel. No other circuits see this over-voltage.

Can anyone help?

Steve
 
This problem seemed to appear right after a new digital meter was installed. Maybe this is totally separate.
These appear to be three separate circuits with their returns terminating at the panel. I don't see any common point.
 
skorper said:
This problem seemed to appear right after a new digital meter was installed. Maybe this is totally separate.
Click to expand...

Maybe but I would get the meter popped open to have a look.

These appear to be three separate circuits with their returns terminating at the panel. I don't see any common point.
Click to expand...

The neutral all the way from the power company transformer to the panel is common to all circuits.
 
skorper said:
This problem seemed to appear right after a new digital meter was installed. Maybe this is totally separate.
These appear to be three separate circuits with their returns terminating at the panel. I don't see any common point.
Click to expand...
If their returns all terminate at that panel, isn't that a common point?
 
I would recommend unplugging all the electronic stuff when doing your testing. Did you take a reading at the breaker (s) feeding those circuits AND on the main breaker?
 
I agree with iwire, classic open neutral scenario and get the POCO to pop that meter before something really bad happens.

It is possible that the neutral connection in the meter socket was disturbed or loosened. Or it may be coincidence and there is a loose connection on the service drop.
 
Besides loose neutral connections, we also have open neutrals, especially through trees. It is not always on our side but it is almost always on our side. Whenever the 120 volts is going nuts and the 240 remains fairly stable, call the serving electric utility. Remember, yours doesn't move but ours is swaying in the wind, being hit and rubbed by tree branches, has ice buildup, etc., that is why it is normally on our side. :smile:
 
The power company came out today and tested the feed in. They determined that the neutral and ground were dead-shorted in their feed somewhere under the street. They were in process of pin pointing it so they can dig it up for repair.

IF they tell me, I will post the final fix.
 
skorper said:
They determined that the neutral and ground were dead-shorted in their feed somewhere under the street.
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There normally is no 'ground' on the line side of the service, and theoretically, them being in contact should have no effect on the line-to-neutral voltages.

They're going to find an 'open,' not a 'short.'
 
LarryFine said:
. . . They're going to find an 'open,' not a 'short.'
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Our guys are good at fixing problems but normally do not know enough theory to actually know what is going to be wrong when they are starting into a problem. That same statement can be applied to most apprentices and some older journeymen. :smile:
 
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