vibration of electrical service

[pmiklas]

Customer complains of vibration at recently moved electrical service.

The vibration is intermittent is loud and shakes the wall and seems to come from above the main breaker. It occurs more frequently past midnight and in cold weather (he thinks but not sure).

When the customer turns off the main breaker the vibration continues without interuption.

The electric company monitored the volatage and current and minor flucutations were found. They replaced the transformer.

The problem still persists however.

The power company thought the service drop maybe oscillating. Also they though perhaps the vibration maybe emante from the mast to the panel due to wind. (The customes says the noise occurs when its calm or windy).

Anybody have any thoughts or ideas?

 

[tom baker]

Re: vibration of electrical service

Is this an overhead drop to a service mast extending up through the roof?

 

[pmiklas]

Re: vibration of electrical service

Yep, the overhead drop is to a service mast that extends up through the roof.

 

[alex winkler]

Re: vibration of electrical service

This may sound silly, but at my house the squirrel use my service drop for a super highway. It is a short cut between two trees and it sounds like someone is up there stomping around. They keep to a routine too, midmorning and late afternoon.

 

[d and o]

Re: vibration of electrical service

how far did you move this service?
far enough to be connected to a new power company source?

well I just saw the squirrel theory, and I'm gonna go with that.

It makes more sense than where I was going

[ December 29, 2003, 05:28 PM: Message edited by: d and o ]

 

[pmiklas]

Re: vibration of electrical service

The service was moved from an outside wall to an inside wall - a distance of about 30 feet - the original power company source was maintained.

 

[pmiklas]

Re: vibration of electrical service

No squirrels, possums, racoons, rats, or other varments are present in the area.

 

[electricmanscott]

Re: vibration of electrical service

Here's one for you. I had a friend with an oh drop that was "vibrating". Turned out that it was simply the noise from the drop connection on the porcelain hook. Drop would rub whenever the wires swayed (doesn't take much to move them). The wall of the house makes an excellent amplifier and the noise travels through quite well.

 

[big john]

Re: vibration of electrical service

I have experience with the same type of scenerio electricmanscott describes:

The service drop to my mothers house is anchored to an eye-bolt on the outside wall of the master bedroom. When the wind causes the drop to sway, the rubbing of messenger cable in the eye-bolt is audible as a deep vibration. Takes very little movement to cause this, sometimes I can't even actually see the drop swaying, but the wall cavity serves to greatly amplify the noise.

-John

 

[jimwalker]

Re: vibration of electrical service

WD40

 

[pmiklas]

Re: vibration of electrical service

Scott and John - how did you stop the vibration from occuring at your friend's / mother's house?

 

[big john]

Re: vibration of electrical service

Pmiklas,

I didn't, I was actually listening to it as I typed that. The noise never bothered anybody sufficiently to mess with it, but jimwalker mentioned WD-40. That might just do the trick, that or some silicone lubricant or something on the eye-bolt.

-John

[ December 29, 2003, 08:20 PM: Message edited by: big john ]

 

[pierre]

Re: vibration of electrical service

WD 40 or a lubricant will only last so long. Try installing a rubber pad where the eyebolt is connected, it may dampen the vibration.

If that doesn't work, cut the service down

Pierre

 

[bennie]

Re: vibration of electrical service

Vibrating of power lines is a natural phenomenon created by air flowing at right angles to the line.

Damping weights call Stockbridge dampers are attached to the lines to change the resonant frequency.

This vibration will cause the line to fail from metal fatique eventually.

 

[vanwalker]

Re: vibration of electrical service

THANKS GUYS THIS IS A GREAT SITE. PEACE GEO

 

[electricmanscott]

Re: vibration of electrical service

My friend has actually moved. Problem solved!

 

[bennie]

Re: vibration of electrical service

Contact the new occupants, offer to solve the noise problem. Tie a brick on the service drop, you will be a hero

 

[jimwalker]

Re: vibration of electrical service

Make sure it is a UL listed brick