this is a good one

[forcebjj]

Got called back to a house where we updated the service (service panel,outside meter socket, mast) and find carpenters tool we not working after we successfuly tested all are outlets before we left. After pulling our hair out we realized the neutral at the pole transformer snapped. We did not put the ground rod or cold water ground yet, how did we get 120/240 at the meter yet nothing works. Tools were just humming not actually operating. Confused

 

[Dennis Alwon]

There must have been some leakage to ground somewhere but if you took readings with the motors running I bet you would not get 120V.... You are lucky you didn't burn up 120V circuits as they would be getting either higher than 120v or lower than 120V depending on the impedance of the circuit.

 

[forcebjj]

we just finished both ground rod and cold water ground and when we plugged a tool in, our multimeter read only 58v. hopefully the utility will be here soon to make the repair.

 

[480sparky]

Got called back to a house where we updated the service (service panel,outside meter socket, mast) and find carpenters tool we not working after we successfuly tested all are outlets before we left. After pulling our hair out we realized the neutral at the pole transformer snapped. We did not put the ground rod or cold water ground yet, how did we get 120/240 at the meter yet nothing works. Tools were just humming not actually operating. Confused

In my neck of the woods, you don't get power restored or transferred without proper grounding.