[sideshowbob]

I have a refrigerator that pulls one leg down to about 95 volts on the circuit that it is on, when it comes on. The other leg rises by about the same voltage. This same response occured when I plugged the refrigerator into another circuit. Originally thinking it is the refrigerator, I hesitated, in case there are other dynamics on the service that I am not aware of. Would anybody have any ideas if there could be such problems on the service and how to go about verifying them? Thanks for the help.

 

[Jack Legg]

check the service neutral connection at all locations

 

[rewire]

Go outside and visually inspect your service . If it is overhead follow it to the transformer if it is underground call the POCO.

 

[robnj772]

Call an electrician

 

[flyboy]

Connect (as in "plug in") another equally sized load into the system and see if the same thing happens.

 

[480sparky]

This is a prime example of how being an electrician with a solid understanding of Ohms Law can make TSing this easy.

 

[backstay]

This is a prime example of how being an electrician with a solid understanding of Ohms Law can make TSing this easy.

Like 480 says, this is simple if you understand the basics. Are you new? Never worked on a system that is center tapped?

 

[Cow]

If you aren't careful you can burn up all your customers equipment.

I would suggest shutting all the breakers off in the panel except for one that you can use to run a hole hawg or some other heavy load on. That will help you track down the bad neutral if it's not obvious, without letting everything else in the home experience an overvoltage.

 

[sideshowbob]

Thank you for the answers. A bad connection on the neutral wire makes sense. Yes, I am somewhat new. More work done installing then troubleshooting. I hope that 480Sparky's other 34,003 posts included something useful for somebody.

 

[union347sparky]

Thank you for the answers. A bad connection on the neutral wire makes sense. Yes, I am somewhat new. More work done installing then troubleshooting. I hope that 480Sparky's other 34,003 posts included something useful for somebody.

That's the norm around here. Everyone here is the BEST electrician and if you ask a question you must be a crap electrician.

 

[Mrphil]

Check the neutral connection

check the service neutral connection at all locations

This was a loose neutral that was causing the UPS to drop to 90 volts and shoot up to 165.

 

[bkmichael65]

This is a prime example of how being an electrician with a solid understanding of Ohms Law can make TSing this easy.

It's easy when you have some experience under your belt. A lot of guys get stumped on something like this the first time they encounter it

 

[knowledge29]

It's easy when you have some experience under your belt. A lot of guys get stumped on something like this the first time they encounter it

And experience comes with time and asking questions of the unknown.

 

[dthurmond]

Seems like a lot of guys on this forum were born great electricians . LOL !

 

[oldtimer]

This was a loose neutral that was causing the UPS to drop to 90 volts and shoot up to 165.

Where is your full P P E ?

Where is the rubber mat ?

That looks like a mosquito mask in the pic !

:whistling2:

 

[sideshowbob]

Thanks again to everyone for the insights that were provided. That bit of knowledge will serve me well, now and in the future. It's nice to have a place to get quality help when you get stumped, even if it means taking a beating.

 

[MHElectric]

Thanks again to everyone for the insights that were provided. That bit of knowledge will serve me well, now and in the future. It's nice to have a place to get quality help when you get stumped, even if it means taking a beating.

Thats how it works around here - ask a question, and get told your a diy'er who works at burger king. After a while it wont bother you anymore, but it sure will make you mad for the first few months you hang around this place.

I have learned some great information here, but after a while it just turns into a huge waste of time.....

 

[Cow]

.

Holy chit, why is the Orkin man working in a panel?

 

[backstay]

Thats how it works around here - ask a question, and get told your a diy'er who works at burger king. After a while it wont bother you anymore, but it sure will make you mad for the first few months you hang around this place. I have learned some great information here, but after a while it just turns into a huge waste of time.....

No one makes you come here.

 

[BillyMac59]

You're right, backstay. we've been lured by the supposed fact that this forum is for professional electricians to learn and teach and share experiences. I, too, have come to realize that an apparent majority of respondents feel the need to build themselves up by putting others down. So, in one respect, I feel compelled to thank those who make such remarks. It makes me feel young - as if Im in grade school again.....Seriously though, it's got to the point that I slip on a pair of rubber boots before logging on.