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voltage fluctuation

Merry Christmas
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chad5741

Member
I went to a customers house that had a problem with flickering lights. It is a medium size house w/200a service. ITE pushmatic load center. The lights do indeed dim when an appliance (washer, dryer, iron, A/C) is turned on, but the lights also pulsate during the use of one or all the appliances. At the main A and B phase read about 20 amps and 121v on A, 122v on B phase. A phase to B 244v. With washer running i was measuring 114v on A and 129v on B. Washer and Dryer runing i am reading 111v on A and 133v on B phase. Washer, dryer and iron operating 106v on A and 137v on B phase. The A/C kicked on while these appliances were running and dimmed the lights to a almost off level. :eek:
This has been going on for about 2 weeks. No work has taken place here recently. They did install a new refrigerator. I also went next door and talked to a neighbor to see of they were having any problems. They did not.
Almost all of the work i do is commercial new constr. So any opinions on this issue would be appreciated.
 
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cselectric

Senior Member
Location
Wisconsin
Re: voltage fluctuation

That sounds quite a lot like a loose or intermittant neutral, either at the panel, or on the POCO's side of the line. I'm betting if you watched closely, you'd find some lights flicker and dim, while others get brighter, perhaps even burn out.
 
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fraelburtus

New member
Re: voltage fluctuation

OK, I'm the new guy. I'm not a licensed electrician, but if I can ever get the experience requirement satisfied, I will be. I just have this other job that keeps taking all my time (University Professor). OK, after all the moaning and groaning subsides, I do nothing without supervision of a licensed master electrician, and only on my house. I'm my own grunt. I can drill holes and pull romex with the best of them.
In response to the question about power fluctuations, my last house had a similar problem. I did the usual of checking every connection (at least in the sub's and mains, both the hot sides and the neutrals. All the way out to the main disconnect. Then I started the process of measuring the voltage drop. After all that (the previous work was done based on my master electrician's advice), I talked to the power company (won't say the name, but it is the big one in GA, in the big city in GA). The technician came out and rechecked the drops and after a bit of discussion and some checking on his part, the conclusion was the transformer was inadequate to supply the services it was supplying. One of its services was a large apartment building next door to me (say 20 apts., not 100).
The question is, is that something unusual or in an older area is that somewhat common?
Thanks for the comments.
I really enjoy reading this group, as I am learning so many practical things.
Mike
 
iwire

iwire

Moderator
Staff member
Location
Massachusetts
Re: voltage fluctuation

Yes it is fairly common for increased loads to necessitate a larger transformer.

Transformers waste power just sitting their operating. It makes no sense for a power company to install a large transformer (more waste) today for loads that may come next year or never.
 
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