Not an uncommon thing when large loads startup.
lights dim
When my well pump kicks on and my dryer sometime my lights dim. its not just on one circuit either. Does anyone know what could be causing? maybe a loose ground in the service panel? thanks
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Could be a lot of things, including normal.
Occaisionally my lights dim when my neighbors A/C kicks on.:yes:
All you can do is open up stuff and check connections/bus/terminals.
Occaisionally my lights dim when my neighbors A/C kicks on.:yes:
All you can do is open up stuff and check connections/bus/terminals.
If the problem is major issue with you, then contact the utility supplier. They will check out their equipment (which may be old or undersized etc) without charge to you. If it is their equipment, they will replace or repair their items. If the problem is on your end / side they will tell you.:thumbup:
Doesn't sound like a problem at all. Now, if some lights go dim, while at the same time others get very bright when a load kicks on, that's a problem.
More than 1v drop with the dryer on is probably trouble.sometime my lights dim.
its not just on one circuit either.
thanks for all the infor guys i appreciate it. Its nothing serious but i was curious to see what people had to say about it thanks again
Hey, I wanted to add to this since I'm experiencing the same problem, but on a much more serious scale.
The one common thread is turning on the dryer makes the power drop almost 40 volts in one room. Sometimes this causing the voltage to spike in my room up to about 160.
Other times, something like the microwave or A/C could cause the lights to dim, other power to fluctuate throughout the house.
Electrician help please!!!
The one common thread is turning on the dryer makes the power drop almost 40 volts in one room. Sometimes this causing the voltage to spike in my room up to about 160.
Other times, something like the microwave or A/C could cause the lights to dim, other power to fluctuate throughout the house.
Electrician help please!!!
This is a more serious problem and is probably a loose service neutral. Call the power company first, because they won't charge you to come out and check the connections on their side.Hey, I wanted to add to this since I'm experiencing the same problem, but on a much more serious scale.
The one common thread is turning on the dryer makes the power drop almost 40 volts in one room. Sometimes this causing the voltage to spike in my room up to about 160.
Other times, something like the microwave or A/C could cause the lights to dim, other power to fluctuate throughout the house.
Electrician help please!!!
I did call the power company (TXU) and they said they would send someone out.
I never heard from them, but they told me I wouldn't unless there was a serious problem.
I never heard from them, but they told me I wouldn't unless there was a serious problem.
It is a serious problem, as your sensitive electronics and appliances can be destroyed by this situation. Call them until something gets done. 9 times out of 10 this is a problem on their side. They need to come out and apply a load test at the meter. This is the only valid way they can check it. If they only do a visual inspection, they may miss it, as has just happened with another poster on a different thread.I did call the power company (TXU) and they said they would send someone out.
I never heard from them, but they told me I wouldn't unless there was a serious problem.
Not an electrician, but this means you have 40vac across a bad neutral connection.turning on the dryer makes the power drop almost 40 volts in one room. Sometimes this causing the voltage to spike in my room up to about 160.
Pulling 16A or so through this neutral connection means 40v x 16A = ~600w. If this is a bolted connection it must get extremely hot.
Your incand. lamps should have 2% of their normal lifetime at 160v.
Unless the dryer is a 120 volt appliance (which I doubt) it is unusual for a 240 volt load to cause a rise in voltage. From the description of your problem, I agree with everyone else about a neutral problem.....I'm just wondering if you have some bad connections elsewhere to boot.The one common thread is turning on the dryer makes the power drop almost 40 volts in one room. Sometimes this causing the voltage to spike in my room up to about 160.
Dryers are usually 120/240 V. The motor and system timer is 120 V, and sometimes the low heat setting is 120 V, while the high heat setting is 240 V.Unless the dryer is a 120 volt appliance (which I doubt) it is unusual for a 240 volt load to cause a rise in voltage. From the description of your problem, I agree with everyone else about a neutral problem.....I'm just wondering if you have some bad connections elsewhere to boot.
Dryers are usually 120/240 V. The motor and system timer is 120 V, and sometimes the low heat setting is 120 V, while the high heat setting is 240 V.
Ooops. My bad!
Today I have learned something.sometimes the low heat setting is 120 V
1 - 16 of 16 Posts
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