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Why would the electrical voltage in your house fluctuate? |
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Answer for USA, Canada and countries using similar 60Hz mains supplies
First, test this on circuits around the house to make sure it's happening everywhere.
You should call the power company to check the connections where your electrical service enters your house. (Meter base and breaker panel). It could be a loose connection. Do not check this yourself without getting it approved by the power company, and only if the service has been disconnected at the pole.
Removing their meter seal yourself can result in disconnection of service, fees, and criminal prosecution for theft of service. Also, it's much safer to let them check it, since they are qualified professionals.
The amperages in a service conductor can burn you to death if they are accidentally shorted, even momentarily. Electric arc flash can reach 30,000 degrees F.
IF YOU'RE NOT ALREADY SURE YOU CAN DO THIS JOB
SAFELY AND COMPETENTLY
REFER THIS WORK TO QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS.
If you do this work yourself, always turn off the power at the breaker box/fuse panel BEFORE you attempt to do any work AND always use a meter or voltage indicator to insure the circuit is, in fact, de-energized.
Answers for USA, Canada and countries using similar 60Hz mains supplies
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Call the utility company to check the supply to the house. If it is ok to the meter base and breaker panel, your house wiring is to blame
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Ask the utility company to feel the transformer wiring connections. They can be extremely hot because of corrosion and this will cause flickering power sometimes.
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Check the circuit breaker.
I had a friend who's lights were flickering. He had several people look into it. Electrician, Utility etc. No luck. We spent some time turning off breakers and we came to the realization that the circuit breaker's contact was bad. Replaced the breaker and voila no flicker.
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Troubleshooting is the height of the art
The only reason there is "not enough voltage" somewhere is because there is a partially open connection providing resistance and a location to allow a voltage drop [bad splice, bad switch, bad breaker, broken wire, burned splice, ...].
It is the knowledge of how electricity works, and of the methods and materials used to create a functional wiring system, that enables a skilled troubleshooter to locate the problem and repair it.
Where should the "voltage" be, and how does it get there?
When you understand that, you will understand what is keeping it from getting where it should be...
IF YOU NOT ALREADY SURE YOU CAN DO THIS JOB
SAFELY AND COMPETENTLY
REFER THIS WORK TO QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS.
If you do this work yourself, always turn off the power at the breaker box/fuse panel BEFORE you attempt to do any work AND always use a meter or voltage indicator to insure the circuit is, in fact, de-energized.
First answer by eban hale. Last edit by UnionMaster3206. Contributor trust: 44 [recommend contributor]. Question popularity: 173 [recommend question]
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