What kind of faulty wiring should I look for?
Question:For some reason part of my house looses power for less than a second on occaision. However it does just seem to be part of the house as it doesn't cause my stove or alarm clock to loose the time. It does reset the computer, TV and microwave. And the microwave is on a seperate breaker from the TV and the computer.
It's just weird.
Answers:
Yes I agree with the above answer. I have been in houses were the main lugs on the panel have become loose. So that when a door is slammed it made the lights flicker on that side of the panel. It is an easy fix if that the problem. good luck
That is weird. My best guess is that there is something wrong with the transformer that is supplying power to your house. Before you try anything else, I would contact your electric utility company. If the transformer is OK, it may be the main breaker in your circuit box. Houses are supplied with a 220 volt service that is then split in your breaker box into two 110 volt halves. It is possible to completely lose one half of your service, which might explain why parts of your house aren't effected.
Get an electrician FAST! What you are describing could very easily be a faulty neutral wire connection at the distribution panel board. I've seen this several times. In one case my neighbor lost almost everything electric / electronic in his home. From the TV/VCR to the refridgerator! Almost identical symptoms. Unfortunately, the gent replaced his tv with a new one and then zapped that one as well before he asked me!
If there is a poor connection, you can get normal voltage under minimal load conditions, but the neutral (which is shared between breakers @ the panel) cannot carry the load and the voltage takes a drastic drop.
This could be a fire hazard as well. If you are not completly familliar with working around deadly voltages, please get an electrician to open the panel and verify. Should take only a few minutes to check.
Tighten all connections in the panel. Have the power company check for loose connections in the meter box. If that don't settle it, have Pops come back and tighten all of his splices.
one of the main incoming wires in the panel came loose or corroded because someone did not put that anti corrosion compound on the aluminum wire.
if it is a 100 A service the main breakers contacts became loose.
USA There are several good answers above. Loose connection is probably the answer. Corroded connection might also be present. I have also found corroded stabs on the back of a 100 amp main breaker that caused the problem. But, beside checking the main connections in the panel, the connections at the meter base also need to be checked.
in the boxes under the light fixtures there are connections to spread all over the house with a soldering iron and thin / lead Flux core solder uncap the connections heat with solder gun, melt solder into it when hot allow to cool and re twist cap, you might want to wrap electrical tape ( UL listed ) replace fixtures and that should solve the problem.
tools and solder sold in radio shack.
focus on those white wire bundles
like everybody saidf, get a pro. that is a dangerous prolem. house have burned down because of electria problems. if dad is not a pro. get one now..
be safe and get an electrician for a run test.
you may have faulty wiring that causes short-circuits.
THERE ARE MANY THINGS TO LOOK FOR,BUT GETTING A PROFESSIOMAL TO COME OUT AND INSPECT IS THE BEST RESORT...HE IS AWARE OF ALL THE CURRENT SPECIFICATIONS AND CODES.THAT'S THE BEST SOLUTION TO YOUR PROBLEM..BUT YOU CAN DO A BASIC INSPECTION OF YOUR OWN, BEFORE YOU CALL HIM IN...YOU CAN CHECK YOUR CIRCUIT BREAKER OR FUSE PANEL BOX TO SEE IF YOU ARE GETTING ADEQUATE SREVICE TO ACCOMODATE YOU NEEDS.TODAYS HOME NEED MORE SREVICE THAN HOMES BUILT IN THE PAST, BECAUSE OF ALL THE MODERN APPLIANCES WE USE TODAY..ALSO, SEE IF THE WIRES ARE THE OLD CLOTH COVERED INSULATION TYPE OR THE NEW PLASTIC COATED TYPE..SEE IF THE WIRES ARE THE OLD STANDARD 14 GUAGE OR THE NEW 12 GUAGE WIRE...CHECK TO SEE IF YOU HAVE COPPER WIRE OR ALUMINUM WIRE OR A COMBINATION OF BOTH...PREFERABLY YOU WILL WANT TO SEE ONLY COPPER WIRES...CHECK TO SEE IF ALL THE WIRE CONNECTIONS ON SCREW TERMINALS ARE IN THE CLOCKWISE DIRECTION, NOT COUNTER-CLOCKWISE ( THIS CAN CAUSE CONNECTION TO GET LOOSE AND CREATE SPARKING AT THOSE SIGHTS..WHICH IN TURN CAN CAUSE FIRES....MOST IMPRTANTLY IS TO SEE THAT THE GROUND CONNECTION WIRES ARE CONNECTED PROPERLY TO THE GROUND OF THE BOXES AND TO EACH OTHER IN A CONTINUOS CIRCUIT ( NO GROUND OR A BAD GROUND CONNECTION CAN CAUSE A SHOCK AND EVEN ELECTROCUTION (WHICH CAN KILL SOMEONE)..BROKEN GROUNDS,POOR GROUND OR REVERSED GROUNGS ARE THE THE BIGGEST CAUSE FOR ELECTICAL FATALITIES...SECOND TO STICKING YOU HANDS INTO A LIVE BOX WITHOUT KNOWING WHAT YOU'RE DOING IN THERE...THESE ARE ALL THINGS YOU MAY BE ABLE TO SEE, JUST BY REMOVING THE COVERS OFF SOME OF THE BOXES AND NOT PUTTING YOUR HANDS OR TOOLS INSIDE.IF YOU SEE ANY OF THESE CONDITIONS EXISTING "IT'S TIME TO CALL IN A PROFESSIONAL LUCENSED ELECTRICA CONTRACTOR AND OR INSPECTOR TO ASSERTAIN HOW THE REPAIRES SHOULD BE DONE.IF YOU HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE OF ELECTRICAL CIRCUITRY AND WIRING,, "D O N ' T D O I T Y O U R S E L F "------- CALL FOR THE PRO'S
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