weird science - Electrician Talk - Professional Electrical Contractors Forum

korey · 07-21-2009, 02:04 AM

Hi everyone, new post here, and boy, do I have a doozie for any professionals out there!

I know basic house wiring, and a friend has asked me to find out why her electricity is only working on one side.

One side meaning one phase of her circuit breaker box, has stopped working. She has 120 volts at all the odd circuit breakers (1, 3, 5, etc), but no power at all on the even circuit breakers (2, 4, 6, etc).

I checked the main 100 amp circuit breaker and I am only getting 120 volts on one side, and zero voltage at the other side. She had a new, un-used main breaker which I replaced, but still no voltage on the other leg.

There is no short so no breakers are blowing, but there is just no power on the one side. I have checked it with my volt/ohm meter and get precicely 120 volts on one side, but no voltage whatsoever, on the other side.

I looked outside at her power pole and noticed a tree branch is leaning heavily on the wires from the transformer, to the house. Could this be a problem?

I would appreciate any insight that anyone might have. Thanks!

Toronto Sparky · 07-21-2009, 02:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by korey

Hi everyone, new post here, and boy, do I have a doozie for any professionals out there!

I know basic house wiring, and a friend has asked me to find out why her electricity is only working on one side.

One side meaning one phase of her circuit breaker box, has stopped working. She has 120 volts at all the odd circuit breakers (1, 3, 5, etc), but no power at all on the even circuit breakers (2, 4, 6, etc).

I checked the main 100 amp circuit breaker and I am only getting 120 volts on one side, and zero voltage at the other side. She had a new, un-used main breaker which I replaced, but still no voltage on the other leg.

There is no short so no breakers are blowing, but there is just no power on the one side. I have checked it with my volt/ohm meter and get precicely 120 volts on one side, but no voltage whatsoever, on the other side.

I looked outside at her power pole and noticed a tree branch is leaning heavily on the wires from the transformer, to the house. Could this be a problem?

I would appreciate any insight that anyone might have. Thanks!

Why would anyone have a spare main breaker hanging around?
and why would a non Electrician hang out in this forum?

480sparky · 07-21-2009, 09:12 AM

I'd say it's time to call an electrician.

Nathan · 07-21-2009, 10:21 AM

Please post your question on www.DIYChatroom.com. This site is for professional electricians only.

Thanks.