Stray Voltage

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mphillipps

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In a residential service entrance (load center) what are the steps and procedure to track down stray voltage or voltage leaks?

And will a volt/ohm/amp meter do the job?
 
What are the symptoms of the "stray voltage" and the "voltage leaks"? What are the characteristics of the physical assembly that is exhibiting the symptoms (masonry structure, frame - wood or steel, slab on grade or basement, etc.)
 
Thank you for your reply.

First, are "stray voltage" and "voltage leak" the same thing?

The symptom was a sudden and at this point, an unexplained jump in electricity usage. A $60 bill jumped to $250. Single retired woman, small house...

The house is wood framed and the SE is outside.
 
In my mind, stray voltage and voltage leak are nebulous terms that aren't readily definable. Some here will offer a lot of language . . . as have I.

But a jump of 500% on an electric bill is another matter. There is either a human billing error, or a load that is running excessively and unexpectedly.

I'd think that your suggestion of the volt/ohm/amp meter is right on target. Selectively remove the dwelling loads while taking amp readings.

I've seen underground garage branch circuits fail as if they were a load, that is, a moderate resistance short to earth occurred on the hot conductor and allowed current to flow at a high enough level to melt the snow on the surface above, but not high enough to trip the breaker.

Of course, it could be the occupant forgetting to turn something off also.

Eliminate the loads and usage patterns at the dwelling, then involve the PoCo billing department, as you'll be able to talk to them with certainty and sincerity.
 
Stray voltage is typically a neutral ground issue and will not affect the bill.

To investigate a high bill,

Request the meter be tested.
Install a power monitor with trend plotting to review the usage.

I believe the IEEE Dictionary defines Stray Voltage (I'll post tommorow), voltage leak is not a term I have ever heard except in the context of sending an apprentice for an insulated bucket.
 
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Pool pumps running in the winter, well pumps or septic pumps stuck, attic fans are items that can go on running for a long time without notice.
 
brian john said:
I believe the IEEE Dictionary defines Stray Voltage (I'll post tommorow), voltage leak is not a term I have ever heard except in the context of sending an apprentice for an insulated bucket.
Click to expand...


There are several definitions for Stray in the IEEE Dictionary of Standard Terms including one just for the word Stray

But there is nothing for Stray Voltage.
 
How 'bout:

How 'bout:

Stray voltage: a voltage that is detected in a location where it should not be present.
 
090504-1838 EST

mphillipps:

The speed of rotation of the power company meter is a measure of the instantaneous power consumption. The counting dial is a measure of the integral over time of the power. That is energy used.

Turn the main breaker off. If this is one of the split main panels, then turn the semi-main breaker off and all the others above the semi-main. The meter should not rotate at all.

Next turn the main on and all other breakers off. The meter should not rotate.

For the following a clamp-on ammeter is easiest to use. If you lack one then use the power company meter. It would be useful to know the power company meter calibration. Seconds per revolution = X watts.

Turn on a breaker that supplies a circuit with no loads. If the circuit you pick has some loads on, then turn them off. There should be no current and the power company meter should not be rotating. Plug into this circuit a 1500 W heater, and see if the power company meter appears to be correctly calibrated.

If calibration appears correct, then test each circuit alone to see if any indicate an unexpected load.

If power company meter seems to be correctly calibrate, and there are no abnormal loads, and assuming that the readings on the bill agree with the power company meter, then you may need a recording power monitor on the system.

.
 
Meter reading Estimated or Actual?

Meter reading Estimated or Actual?

mphillipps said:
Thank you for your reply.

First, are "stray voltage" and "voltage leak" the same thing?

The symptom was a sudden and at this point, an unexplained jump in electricity usage. A $60 bill jumped to $250. Single retired woman, small house...

The house is wood framed and the SE is outside.
Click to expand...

Watch out for estimated readings. Many utilities are only sending out meter readers every OTHER month. We had a normal reading in NOV 2008, and an estimated reading in DEC 2008, but then in JAN 2009 we got the largest bill ever ($700.00). The utility underestimated DEC, so we had to pay quite a bit in JAN.

Then our FEB bill was high, but we paid it, and then the MARCH bill came, and it was only $7.04. We are on a roller-coaster because the meter is only read every other month.

Why can't the utilities read every month?
 
IMM_Doctor said:
Watch out for estimated readings. Many utilities are only sending out meter readers every OTHER month. We had a normal reading in NOV 2008, and an estimated reading in DEC 2008, but then in JAN 2009 we got the largest bill ever ($700.00). The utility underestimated DEC, so we had to pay quite a bit in JAN.

Then our FEB bill was high, but we paid it, and then the MARCH bill came, and it was only $7.04. We are on a roller-coaster because the meter is only read every other month.

Why can't the utilities read every month?
Click to expand...
Some will let you read the meter between utility personnel readings. See if they will let you call in the readings on the off months.
 
090504-2016 EST

In my post #13 I made an incorrect statement.

"Seconds per revolution = X watts." This is wrong. It is upside down. What I should say is:

X watts = K / T
where K is a calibration constant and T is the time for one revolution.

Obviously the slower the disk rotates the lower is the power being measured, and thus T is longer. Two parts of brain were disconnected.

.
 
Gar,

X watts = K / T
where K is a calibration constant and T is the time for one revolution.
Click to expand...

Can you further define and give an example:
What is "X watts"... just watts or something more?
I'm not sure what K or calibration constant is... number of rotations?
T, time... I got that one.

I have a clamp on, but I have access to only one leg, that is, with out pulling the meter itself.
Thank you.
 
mphillipps said:
Gar,



Can you further define and give an example:
What is "X watts"... just watts or something more?
I'm not sure what K or calibration constant is... number of rotations?
T, time... I got that one.

I have a clamp on, but I have access to only one leg, that is, with out pulling the meter itself.
Thank you.
Click to expand...
X watts is just "X number of watts"
K is the meter constant shown on the meter times the CT ratio times the PT ratio. The residence will not have a PT so that ratio is 1. They could have a CT ratio.

Add: FWIW, The constant on the meter is called the secondary watthour constant (Kh sec) and the secondary constant times the PT and CT ratio is the primary watthour constant (Kh pri). The Kh sec = test amps * rated voltage * # stators / revolutions per hour of the disk.
 
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The most common find for something like this I have found, is an electric water heater, if it has dual elements and one element fails the other runs almost continuously, and can run a electric bill up high.

just a thought
 
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