Strange happenings on the farm

[duck_huntr85]

Hey all,
A while back i replaced two panels on a farm, one in the house and one in the barn, that were fed from the same pole-top disconnect. They had me replace the panels because of strange things that had been happening. From the sound of it, they lose one of the phase conductors every now and then. (some circuits didn't work all of a sudden while others did, such as the fridge or living room lights, and then later everything would turn back on) sometimes its just in the house or just in the barn or both. Also, the old fuse panel in the barn had blown the main fuse of one of the phase conductors feeding the panel a while back. I'm thinking there is a loose connection in the pole-top disconnect but would like to get some input from you fine folks.
If you need more info, plz ask
thanks in advance for you're responses

 

[renosteinke]

I suggest megger-testing the feeds to the panels. Also closely examine the main for things like cracks in a bussbar.

 

[Little Bill]

Hey all,
A while back i replaced two panels on a farm, one in the house and one in the barn, that were fed from the same pole-top disconnect. They had me replace the panels because of strange things that had been happening. From the sound of it, they lose one of the phase conductors every now and then. (some circuits didn't work all of a sudden while others did, such as the fridge or living room lights, and then later everything would turn back on) sometimes its just in the house or just in the barn or both. Also, the old fuse panel in the barn had blown the main fuse of one of the phase conductors feeding the panel a while back. I'm thinking there is a loose connection in the pole-top disconnect but would like to get some input from you fine folks.
If you need more info, plz ask
thanks in advance for you're responses

When you say "pole-top disconnect" are you saying there is a service disconnect on a pole past the meter, and the house and barn panels are both sub panels? Is the barn panel fed from the house panel or vise-versa?

 

[iwire]

I am just glad this is electrically related, I was bit worried given the title. hmy:

 

[renosteinke]

I expect the OP's service, meter, and main disconnect are on a pole in the middle of the cluster of farm buildings, with feeders going to each building from that pole.

 

[Cow]

I am just glad this is electrically related, I was bit worried given the title. hmy:

Did you hear banjos playing in your head....?

:lol:

 

[mike7330]

I am just glad this is electrically related, I was bit worried given the title. hmy:

LOL!! LOL!!! I think I just wet myself!!!!

 

[SG-1]

Since loads from both panels are experiencing loss of power, I would conclude there is a bad connection or device upstream of the panels.

 

[kwired]

I would guess that this "pole top disconnect" is owned by the POCO. Not common around here but is in some places.

I would try to load things up with some heavy loads - if there is a weak connection it should act up, if you find you lose the line ahead of customer equipment then call POCO and have them check their equipment.

 

[stevebea]

I expect the OP's service, meter, and main disconnect are on a pole in the middle of the cluster of farm buildings, with feeders going to each building from that pole.

Most of the time there will also be a manual transfer switch on the pole. I see alot of this setup on the older farms around here where the load is not that high.

 

[the blur]

Did you hear banjos playing in your head....?

:lol:

now that's funny.... :lol: and showing your age.

 

[cowboyjwc]

I am just glad this is electrically related, I was bit worried given the title. hmy:

Like they say "Nevada, where men are men and sheep are nervous."

 

[Neenergy]

This has been sitting for a while but, my experience is that with anything on a pole top, including these, look out for corroded neutral and/or ground connections. The wind will vibrate mechanical connectors loose over time, leading to all sorts of wierd happenings. And sometimes there is very strange parts on farm wiring (at least out here).

 

[ptonsparky]

This has been sitting for a while but, my experience is that with anything on a pole top, including these, look out for corroded neutral and/or ground connections. The wind will vibrate mechanical connectors loose over time, leading to all sorts of wierd happenings. And sometimes there is very strange parts on farm wiring (at least out here).

Yup, you guys in the Western part of the State see some weird stuff. All our ducks are in a row.

Has the State assigned a new inspector to your area yet?

 

[Neenergy]

Not yet, and yes your ducks bck there are lined up better.

 

[ritelec]

If you need more info, plz ask

what good would that do? 3 weeks later, no response.


Yep........the title had me going also..........spooks or pulp fiction in the pawn shop stuff.