Power issues (continued)

[Rumpshot]

Yesterdays power issues continue.

I was able to get a functioning (sorta) software interface with the computer UPS. At about 11 AM yesterday it recorded 139V. By 11:30AM it was stable at about 124V.

This morning the software was giving me fits and took 3 uninstall/reinstall cycles to get it up and running.

About 8:04 started the microwave and it self-powered down. The monitor indicated 91V, the recording only picked up 93V. It had been indicating 124V until starting the microwave. Lights throughout the house were flickering. The opposite side of the power panel, fed by the other leg of 220, indicated 145V.

By 9AM the power was stable at about 122-125V. The microwave worked normally.

Power company is enroute to check their end.

Ground connections seem to be in good order.

A couple of years ago we had an issue with the power lines down the pole from the transformer to the meter had a short. The power company had driven the cover screw through one of the lines. That one caused us to lose one complete side of the house for power. Was a puzzling issue til they found the problem.

[Rumpshot]

Good call by ArticTom. Power company says bad neutral, Man up the power pole right now to find the problem. The transformer on the pole just outside our fence feeds our house and I think the neighbors across the street.

[Rumpshot]

The microwave issue previously mentioned were not unexpected. The appliance is about 10 years old and has been intermittently given us fits. We are waiting on it to completely die. Guess it is in better shape than was assumed.

[Rich]

We used to add salt when wetting a ground.

[HTRN]

You should know, by federal and AZ corporate regulations; if the power company delivered power vastly out of standards, causing damage; they are liable for that damage (up to a limit, which is updated periodically. Last time i checked it was a maximum of $1000 per item, or $5,000 total).

The most expensive powersurge I've ever heard of happened, oh, 6,7 years ago? Anyway, a transformer went, and took out a bunch of boards and drives in the Shops VMCs. I shudder to think what it cost to get fixed, but I think the guy told me that the power company picked up the check, but he had to eat the cost of the down time. Still, I can imagine what a visit from the service guy cost.

[cageym]

I've been deployed to places where we had to put 12-15 feet of ground rod in for the van and still had to use salt water to get below 10 ohms, which was the standard.

[Rumpshot]

Power problems apparently resolved.

There was a problem with the neutral. That was dealt with on Tuesday.

The transformer was tapped too high. Output appeared to be 124V when everything else was stable.

The transformer was a 10KV transformer and was determined to be too small. The transformer was replaced on Wednesday. Many new fittings on the pole, the power lines, the residential leads, etc.

APS (the power company) was pretty vague when I called for info on the trouble call.

The computer UPS is showing a pretty constant 117V-119V now.

I was not too concerned about the ground rod concerns that Chris commented on. The ground rod is a copper (plated?) 9 foot rod and we have had 1.7 inches of moisture in December. The ground is physically moist.

It appears all's well that ends well.

[blackeagle603]

Power will be unstable throughout the ship while searching for grounds.

Excellent. A decisive resolution.

Power is now stable throughout the ship.

Carry on.

[arctictom]

Glad you fixed your problem , And copper rods are the best way to go for grounding. And at my cabin we used a galvanized pipe for two years.