A question for a sparky

[stmichael]

We are having an issue, some of the lights, and refrigerator not working in the cabin, weekenders typically. We called the electric company and they told us to turn on the boiler of the oven and most of the lights (but not all) and the refrigerator started working. I did some basic checking of the breakers and found when the power was out to most appliances/lights the 220 breakers would only read 110 (turn on the boiler it would read 220). Would this be a problem with something between the house and power pole or something inside the house? I have no problems with new wiring and most fixes, this one has me stumped. Power would go out without running anything. Turn the boiler on and it would work again.

Any ideas or are we going to have to bite the bullet and have a professional come in?

Thank you in advance.

[JohnMickish]

From what I can gather it sounds like you are losing a phase at times. More than likely it is going to be caused by either a loose connection or corrosion or both. These are very dangerous and is usually what causes electrical fires. It could be in the panel busses or main breaker (unlikely) or at the feeder lugs in the panel, meter socket, termination point at the service drop, pole or transformer or all of them.

Do you have overhead or underground service? Is the meter on the house or pole?

It could even be the grounded conductor (neutral) wire that is causing this.

I'll give you some ideas to check but are you confortable checking the voltage inside a panel and do you know how to use a meter?

[stmichael]

I know how to use a multimeter and the meter is on a pole I am pretty sure the line coming in is overhead. I will not be up there again until this weekend, I will take notes to what to check for and what to expect when checking.

[JohnMickish]

If the meter is on the pole I'd say there is a good chance the incoming wires would be underground. Believe it or not gophers can do major damage to direct bury cables.

[bigb56303]

sounds like your losing a phase, if your only reading 120 when you turn on the 220 oven, you are back feeding the circuit to the fridge, i would guess that what ever side of your panel has the fridge curcuit on it has a problem. i would not try to tackle this by yourself as it is dangerous if you dont know what your doing and could hurt yourself, just because you can read a meter doesnt mean you know what your doind even the profesionally dont know it all, i would let a lisecensed perfesoinal look at it the are insured and do it for a living, not to cut you down, i do this for a living, but in a industrial settting, good luck and be safe you want to have a cabin to go to

[stmichael]

Thanks for the information. I will be doing some simple tests this weekend. At least try and narrow it down.(if it is inside or outside) If it is not an easy fix I will go to the local watering hole and look for sparky. The nice thing about that is, if I do not find one, I will still have a good time.

[JohnMickish]

Please be careful to make sure you can go back and have repeated good times. Email me and I'll give you some places to check with the meter. tdmei@yahoo.com

[stmichael]

Careful is my middle name when it comes to electricity, I have much respect for it. However, I am very curious as to what the problem is...I know the basics, and, I have wired many home projects. I appreciate you all looking out for me. I will have to respond Monday to this thread, if, for some reason I do not, I will pre-pray that I decided to stay another day.

I will be in contact with you MN

[stmichael]

All is working as of now. The problem did not show up this weekend, thankful for now, just hope it keeps working.