Regfrigerator Compressor: Surges

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Keri_WW

Keri_WW

Senior Member
The past couple of weeks I've been having issues with power in my home. My lights will occasionally flicker, my UPS at my tv/stereo will click to/from backup power, and now my computer upstairs has begun cutting off. The only thing I've come up with is this all happens when my refrigerator compressor kicks in.

I've hooked my kill-a-watt meter to the receptacle to see what the difference was when it actually kicks in, but it is pretty minimal (~200W). The voltage is ranged from 109V-115V. What can I do to correct this problem? Do you think a new fridge would be the cure (current fridge is only 6 yrs old)?

EDIT: Sorry, I meant to stick this in the Lightning and Power Quality forum. Move as you see fit!

Keri :D :D
 
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If this is a new problem, it's probably a loose service hot. Could be in the panel, meter, or at the drop. Could even be partly rotted underground. The compressor can draw a heck of a lot for a split second. This can even be the sign of a PoCo transformer on its way out, but that's one of the last things I'd normally suspect if it's just the fridge winking the lights.

I wouldn't think voltage drop at all if this is a new problem.
 
Keri_WW said:
Do you think a new fridge would be the cure (current fridge is only 6 yrs old)?
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If the other post don't solve the problem, get a new fridge and a new flat screen TV.(or two)
 
The house is also 6 years old. The problem has definitely become more apparent in the past couple of months. Bathroom exhaust fans and my little oscillating fan in the bedroom will even ramp up for a couple of seconds.

If I get an electrician out here, do you think he'd be able to diagnose this without too much effort? I don't want to throw money down the drain for someone to try different things that don't work...

Also, the fridge is not on a dedicated circuit. Terrible design as far as I am concerned. It is on the receptacle circuit with 2 other receptacles in the kitchen.

Thanks!
Keri :grin: :grin:
 
Keri_WW said:
If I get an electrician out here, do you think he'd be able to diagnose this without too much effort?
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A good one will, but you can call the power company for free. Don't count on them to discover anything on their own accord, however, unless an electrician is standing right there to keep an eye on them. This has been my experience.
 
Get this looked at right away!!

Get this looked at right away!!

Keri_WW said:
The house is also 6 years old. The problem has definitely become more apparent in the past couple of months. Bathroom exhaust fans and my little oscillating fan in the bedroom will even ramp up for a couple of seconds.

If I get an electrician out here, do you think he'd be able to diagnose this without too much effort? I don't want to throw money down the drain for someone to try different things that don't work...

Also, the fridge is not on a dedicated circuit. Terrible design as far as I am concerned. It is on the receptacle circuit with 2 other receptacles in the kitchen.

Thanks!
Keri :grin: :grin:
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From the information you've given, and especially what I highlited above, it sounds like you have developed a loose neutral situation.

This is a serious issue!! Get an electrican to look at it immediately before it gets to the point of destroying equipment or starting a fire.

Search "open neutral" on this forum and you'll find tons of info.
 
Update

Update

Thanks for all of the replies! I called Progress Energy last night and they had a guy here within an hour. All three of my incoming feeders were very loose. He tightened them all up and tested the voltages and everything was good to go.

Major props to Progress for getting someone out here that fast!! I'd love to see the phone or cable company compete with that!
 
Keri_WW said:
Thanks for all of the replies! I called Progress Energy last night and they had a guy here within an hour. All three of my incoming feeders were very loose. He tightened them all up and tested the voltages and everything was good to go.

Major props to Progress for getting someone out here that fast!! I'd love to see the phone or cable company compete with that!
Click to expand...

So much for the truck payment:D
Glad you got Progress out, for the most part they do have good customer service. If you can make the person at the call center understand what you need:mad:
 
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