07-27-2020, 07:50 PM (This post was last modified: 07-27-2020, 07:51 PM by Jayaruh.)
(07-27-2020, 02:31 PM)Flintstone Wrote: As you guys are talking about fixing mowers and learning things, I've recently learned a lot more about electricity. I should mention that I started out in school as an electrical engineer and had such trouble with simple concepts and properly wiring my bread-boards, that I moved over to computer science. So here's what I learned....if you have a faulty neutral line coming from your transformer, or if your transformer is overloaded, then current will flow through the neutral and even on your ground lines in your house. The really cool thing is if you throw your breaker, you still get current because a breaker stops the "hot" line, it doesn't do anything for the neutral because that's not supposed to have electricity running through it.
Here's my short story of how I discovered this: we recently (about 6 months ago) bought a house with an in-ground pool. The pool has a pool light. We were getting shocked (tingled really) whenever we were in the pool and would grab the brick and concrete decking on the side of the pool. I turned off the breaker to the pool and discovered that I could measure with my multimeter anywhere from 3 to 6 volts (sometimes as much as 14) depending on the time of day -- if the Air conditioners (and I have two large condensing/fan units) were running it was higher, if I powered off the main breaker I could lower it to 3 volts. I thought it was stray voltage in the ground and the electricity was being caught by the rebar in the concrete and then transferring to the pool. Got a really good and seasoned electrician (40 years of expeerience, started apprenticing at 15). He discovered that the pool light was energizing the water even with the breaker off, because electricity would flow through the house and wiring even when he pulled the power company's meter off.
So we completely disconnected the pool light from any electricity, and now the pool reads zero; but the power company is fighting me over doing a load test on Transformer and even just a thorough diagnostic. But that's another story. At least we can use the pool, and I'm now making sure my electronics are on Uninterruptible Power Supplies and Conditioners so that they don't have lifespan of a fruit fly from the "dirty" power. The fight with the power company will continue, as will the fight with the water company. My neighbor broke a pipe of some sort doing yard work and has water coming up out of the ground, I'm downhill from him and the water has saturated my yard and is soaking into my fence. I contacted the water company, and since it isn't affecting anyone's water pressure (which is weird) and because they will have to turn off the water to the whole town to fix it and put us on a boil water advisory when they do, they are dragging their feet to fix it (it's been over 2 weeks now).
There are some real pluses to living in a VERY small town in a rural part of the Louisiana; but infrastructure is not one of them. We don't pay much for electricity, water, sewage, trash pick up or internet services; but that's because we don't get much either. On the plus side, I've had to learn a lot more and become a lot more self-sufficient. The electrician was one of the few who would make the trip out to help me, and I had to pay for his travel time (which I totally understand), which given his hourly rate, cost me another $200 on top of his labor charge for the work.
Okay, I think I've vented enough....thanks for listening.....I think I'll go watch some old episodes of Green Acres and marvel at how similar my life is to that show.
Those cement ponds can cause all kinds of problems.
Jim - The Cackalacky Kid"Finally, shaving is fun again..." The Jayaruh Brushes - The Clan of Catchers
07-27-2020, 08:26 PM (This post was last modified: 07-27-2020, 08:27 PM by ShadowsDad.)
The neutral is misnamed and largely misunderstood. It's the center tap of the transformer. Yes, it's energized. One gets 110v from each end of the transformer, the center tap being the center connection that completes the circuit inside the transformer. And 220 is across the entire transformer. If you look inside the breaker box with the panel off I find it to be a fairly easy to understand. Touch a meter from the "neutral" (it isn't) to ground and see for yourself. If they had named it the "center tap" it would have made it sooooo much easier to understand (IMO).
And that completes everything I know about house current. I know just enough to be dangerous. OK, maybe enough to wire my own buildings.
(07-27-2020, 02:31 PM)Flintstone Wrote: As you guys are talking about fixing mowers and learning things, I've recently learned a lot more about electricity. I should mention that I started out in school as an electrical engineer and had such trouble with simple concepts and properly wiring my bread-boards, that I moved over to computer science. So here's what I learned....if you have a faulty neutral line coming from your transformer, or if your transformer is overloaded, then current will flow through the neutral and even on your ground lines in your house. The really cool thing is if you throw your breaker, you still get current because a breaker stops the "hot" line, it doesn't do anything for the neutral because that's not supposed to have electricity running through it.
Here's my short story of how I discovered this: we recently (about 6 months ago) bought a house with an in-ground pool. The pool has a pool light. We were getting shocked (tingled really) whenever we were in the pool and would grab the brick and concrete decking on the side of the pool. I turned off the breaker to the pool and discovered that I could measure with my multimeter anywhere from 3 to 6 volts (sometimes as much as 14) depending on the time of day -- if the Air conditioners (and I have two large condensing/fan units) were running it was higher, if I powered off the main breaker I could lower it to 3 volts. I thought it was stray voltage in the ground and the electricity was being caught by the rebar in the concrete and then transferring to the pool. Got a really good and seasoned electrician (40 years of experience, started apprenticing at 15). He discovered that the pool light was energizing the water even with the breaker off, because electricity would flow through the house and wiring even when he pulled the power company's meter off.
So we completely disconnected the pool light from any electricity, and now the pool reads zero; but the power company is fighting me over doing a load test on Transformer and even just a thorough diagnostic. But that's another story. At least we can use the pool, and I'm now making sure my electronics are on Uninterruptible Power Supplies and Conditioners so that they don't have the lifespan of a fruit fly from the "dirty" power. The fight with the power company will continue, as will the fight with the water company. My neighbor broke a pipe of some sort doing yard work and has water coming up out of the ground, I'm downhill from him and the water has saturated my yard and is soaking into my fence. I contacted the water company, and since it isn't affecting anyone's water pressure (which is weird) and because they will have to turn off the water to the whole town to fix it and put us on a boil water advisory when they do, they are dragging their feet to fix it (it's been over 2 weeks now).
There are some real pluses to living in a VERY small town in a rural part of Louisiana; but infrastructure is not one of them. We don't pay much for electricity, water, sewage, trash pick up or internet services; but that's because we don't get much either. On the plus side, I've had to learn a lot more and become a lot more self-sufficient. The electrician was one of the few who would make the trip out to help me, and I had to pay for his travel time (which I totally understand), which given his hourly rate, cost me another $200 on top of his labor charge for the work.
Okay, I think I've vented enough....thanks for listening.....I think I'll go watch some old episodes of Green Acres and marvel at how similar my life is to that show.
Vent away my friend. You write so well even your complaints are enjoyable to read. I certainly don't enjoy your misery. It's just entertaining the way you write about it.
Hi. My name is Fuzzy. I have been absent so much most might not remember me. Time to fix that. I have been super busy. Interviewed for 2 promotions that did not fit. I am going to pull in my horns. I am plenty busy with what I am doing. So I am going to try and catch up.
(07-31-2020, 09:26 AM)Wchnu Wrote: Hi. My name is Fuzzy. I have been absent so much most might not remember me. Time to fix that. I have been super busy. Interviewed for 2 promotions that did not fit. I am going to pull in my horns. I am plenty busy with what I am doing. So I am going to try and catch up.
Too bad the promotions didn't work out for you, Fuzzy. It is great to hear from you, and I hope your situation improves!
(07-31-2020, 09:26 AM)Wchnu Wrote: Hi. My name is Fuzzy. I have been absent so much most might not remember me. Time to fix that. I have been super busy. Interviewed for 2 promotions that did not fit. I am going to pull in my horns. I am plenty busy with what I am doing. So I am going to try and catch up.
Too bad the promotions didn't work out for you, Fuzzy. It is great to hear from you, and I hope your situation improves!
That is the best part. Where I am is great!
Thanks for the thoughts guys. Life is good in the fuzzy hood.
We are getting some wind and rain from Delta. Nothing bad though. As a precaution we did shift change early. I wound up with a 16 hour shift. It is all overtime so that is nice!! Hope your all doing well!!!
