Even more electrical fun
#1
Even more electrical fun
I know old vehicles have electrical gremlins, I guess I can extend that to old doublewides too.
I have one circuit that handles both bathrooms, the hallway light, and an outlet in the bedroom. It's given me problems before on one of the outlets, it uses press-in connections and one popped loose, but then the whole circuit died yesterday. I got about 6v between the power and neutral, but I got full power between EITHER leg and ground on that circuit. So, shut off the main, tightened up all the neutral connections, checked the breaker, everything seemed ok so I tried again. Now I get full power across the legs, full power from hot to ground, and about 4v from ground to neutral, but still nothing works. No lights, nothing that's plugged into the outlets works, nothing. I checked all the connection points I can reach, they all seem ok and no more wires have pulled out.
Any ideas?
I have one circuit that handles both bathrooms, the hallway light, and an outlet in the bedroom. It's given me problems before on one of the outlets, it uses press-in connections and one popped loose, but then the whole circuit died yesterday. I got about 6v between the power and neutral, but I got full power between EITHER leg and ground on that circuit. So, shut off the main, tightened up all the neutral connections, checked the breaker, everything seemed ok so I tried again. Now I get full power across the legs, full power from hot to ground, and about 4v from ground to neutral, but still nothing works. No lights, nothing that's plugged into the outlets works, nothing. I checked all the connection points I can reach, they all seem ok and no more wires have pulled out.
Any ideas?
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#8
Hey Tom, do you have a fox&hound I can borrow, or have a recommend on a cheap one? I have a break in the neutral, somewhere buried in insulation under this trailer I'm starting to really dislike, and I really don't want to have to cut back tons of insulation trying to find a junction box.
#9
#12
Keep your eyes on the news-
The loose neutral was an outlet that was being used as a junction block. Missed it since that outlet had power, but the output wire had come loose. Stupid push-in wiring.
I have real outlets on that circuit now, along with lighting fixtures that don't have burnt wires, and switches that work reliably.
For some reason, while there is a 200a main disconnect outside under the meter, and no single large main breaker at the top of the panel inside, there is a breaker marked main that seems to be such. No amp rating on it, and it's the second or third breaker down on the panel. Worst thing is that shutting it off shuts off the house, so now I'm seriously questioning the wiring done in this place.
Question for you Tom-
Having a natural gas furnace and hot water, but electric dryer, range, and oven in a ~1000sf house, can I get away with a 100a disconnect? I can't find rating plates on anything around here, so I can't do the calculations. With a 100a main breaker at the meter, I should be able to use #2 wire for the run to the house. Keeping the 200a main means I would have to use 3/0 wire, and I can't afford that right now.
Are you going to be out this way anytime soon? I need to run a bunch of questions by someone who knows electrical stuff, like where to put the service at, etc. Or can I get a PSE rep out here to do that (do they do that?)?
The loose neutral was an outlet that was being used as a junction block. Missed it since that outlet had power, but the output wire had come loose. Stupid push-in wiring.
I have real outlets on that circuit now, along with lighting fixtures that don't have burnt wires, and switches that work reliably.
For some reason, while there is a 200a main disconnect outside under the meter, and no single large main breaker at the top of the panel inside, there is a breaker marked main that seems to be such. No amp rating on it, and it's the second or third breaker down on the panel. Worst thing is that shutting it off shuts off the house, so now I'm seriously questioning the wiring done in this place.
Question for you Tom-
Having a natural gas furnace and hot water, but electric dryer, range, and oven in a ~1000sf house, can I get away with a 100a disconnect? I can't find rating plates on anything around here, so I can't do the calculations. With a 100a main breaker at the meter, I should be able to use #2 wire for the run to the house. Keeping the 200a main means I would have to use 3/0 wire, and I can't afford that right now.
Are you going to be out this way anytime soon? I need to run a bunch of questions by someone who knows electrical stuff, like where to put the service at, etc. Or can I get a PSE rep out here to do that (do they do that?)?
#13
Jared, yes, 100amp will be OK. Yes #2 for 100amp. 200amp., AL is 2-4/0, 1-2/0 which is much cheaper than CU. Or, 200amp., CU is 2-3/0, 1-1/0. Use #4 for the main water bond, strike with in 5' of water pipe entry and 2 ground rods, 5/8"x8' 6' apart, use #6 for those continuous connection.
Your service inside and out is done correct. Main disconnect on under the meter due to the fact your place is portable/modular. The 60amp breaker in the house shuts down the lighting system. Not the Dryer or Range/Oven. That panel is known as a subpanel and a split-bus.
Sometimes a PSE rep will help with placing your service in some areas. Seattle does help a lot, sometimes too much.
The soonest that I know I will be over there will be May 3rd. Races at Bremerton National. Will be over there sooner unless something comes up at Mom & Dad's place which does happen. Time to start thinking about getting the boat ready to go. The 19th is Lisa's Bday, gotta be home and the 26th is Tranny change out day.
Hate to say this, but Told you so. I knew it was a loose neutral somewhere.
Your service inside and out is done correct. Main disconnect on under the meter due to the fact your place is portable/modular. The 60amp breaker in the house shuts down the lighting system. Not the Dryer or Range/Oven. That panel is known as a subpanel and a split-bus.
Sometimes a PSE rep will help with placing your service in some areas. Seattle does help a lot, sometimes too much.
The soonest that I know I will be over there will be May 3rd. Races at Bremerton National. Will be over there sooner unless something comes up at Mom & Dad's place which does happen. Time to start thinking about getting the boat ready to go. The 19th is Lisa's Bday, gotta be home and the 26th is Tranny change out day.
Hate to say this, but Told you so. I knew it was a loose neutral somewhere.
#14
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