Wednesday, July 20, 2005
More: Are your lights "acting funny"
A new customer called because his "lights were acting oddly - getting brighter and dimmer when appliances started or something turned on or off..."
I found that the service had been changed less than a year ago, but the new service neutral was connected to a highly corroded tail from the old service neutral [rather than connected directly to the utility company neutral]. This left the old, highly resistive neutral connection as part of the circuit. Electrical voltage measurements showed fluctuating levels reaching as high as 180 volts.
Fortunately, repairs were made before any damage was caused to appliances and electronic equipment!
I found that the service had been changed less than a year ago, but the new service neutral was connected to a highly corroded tail from the old service neutral [rather than connected directly to the utility company neutral]. This left the old, highly resistive neutral connection as part of the circuit. Electrical voltage measurements showed fluctuating levels reaching as high as 180 volts.
Fortunately, repairs were made before any damage was caused to appliances and electronic equipment!
# posted by Bob @ 10:35 AM 
