Floating Ground
#1
12-29-03, 06:28 AM
Floating Ground
#2
12-29-03, 07:49 AM
Sea sickness? 
What do you mean by a floating ground? You either have a ground or you don't. Since ground is not used as a conducting path in a normal circuit you really don't have a "symptom" until a malfunction occurs in the device and the ground will need to be used (for safety). No ground means you may get shocked.
What do you mean by a floating ground? You either have a ground or you don't. Since ground is not used as a conducting path in a normal circuit you really don't have a "symptom" until a malfunction occurs in the device and the ground will need to be used (for safety). No ground means you may get shocked.
#3
12-29-03, 07:55 AM
Member
Russ, the word "ground" is ambiguous. The two most common grounding systems in a house are the equipment grounding system (providing electrical safety at the outlets), and the grounding electrode system (providing lightning protection to the panel). To what type of ground are you referring?
Most of the time a missing ground (either kind) has no symptoms until a fault occurs. Some sensitive electronic equipment cares, and some fluorescent lights are picky about equipment grounding.
Most of the time a missing ground (either kind) has no symptoms until a fault occurs. Some sensitive electronic equipment cares, and some fluorescent lights are picky about equipment grounding.
#4
12-29-03, 08:38 AM
floating ground
I had a problem recently with my line voltage coming into my house.
I tried to determine what the problem was, I thought I had a problem with a device on one of my branch circuits.
One time I would read 195 volts on a 110 volt outlet and then maybe 45 volts on another.
It turned out that the neutral was almost broken into close to the utilities pole.
It took three service calls to the Utilities Co. to get the problem resolved.
Most of my appliances, computers,tv were burned out
and all light bulbs were blown.
So I was woundering if there was a check that I could do or if there were specific sympthoms that would indicate what the problem was?
I tried to determine what the problem was, I thought I had a problem with a device on one of my branch circuits.
One time I would read 195 volts on a 110 volt outlet and then maybe 45 volts on another.
It turned out that the neutral was almost broken into close to the utilities pole.
It took three service calls to the Utilities Co. to get the problem resolved.
Most of my appliances, computers,tv were burned out
and all light bulbs were blown.
So I was woundering if there was a check that I could do or if there were specific sympthoms that would indicate what the problem was?
#5
12-29-03, 08:44 AM
Member
Yes, failed utility connections, especially the utility neutral, are all too common. Have you approached your utility company about reimbursement for your damaged equipment? You may have to be quite assertive, but you should be able to get partial compensation.
The voltage tests you did provided you with the specific symptoms you are after. Another symptom is that some light bulbs seem dimmer than they should be while others seem brighter. The overly bright bulb is a dead giveaway. Flickering is a common symptom too, especially if the power lines are overhead and the flickering seems to be related to how windy it is. Another symptom is shortened bulb life on some bulbs.
The voltage tests you did provided you with the specific symptoms you are after. Another symptom is that some light bulbs seem dimmer than they should be while others seem brighter. The overly bright bulb is a dead giveaway. Flickering is a common symptom too, especially if the power lines are overhead and the flickering seems to be related to how windy it is. Another symptom is shortened bulb life on some bulbs.
#7
12-30-03, 08:16 PM
Russ
Are you sure the problem was on the utility side of your electric meter? Reason I ask is on your side of the meter there is at least one connection between the neutral bar and ground and perhaps even 2 if your house is less than 10 years old so you shouldn't have seen the imbalance you saw on your 2 incoming lines, unless you don't have any of these required connections, which would mean you need to call an electrician.
Are you sure the problem was on the utility side of your electric meter? Reason I ask is on your side of the meter there is at least one connection between the neutral bar and ground and perhaps even 2 if your house is less than 10 years old so you shouldn't have seen the imbalance you saw on your 2 incoming lines, unless you don't have any of these required connections, which would mean you need to call an electrician.
#8
12-30-03, 09:38 PM
Mike134,
The required grounding electrode system and its connection to the grounded (neutral) conductor at the service disconnect will not, in most cases, protect from the problems caused by an open neutral. The impedance of the grounding electrode system is normally too high to prevent the voltage extremes from occurring.
Don
The required grounding electrode system and its connection to the grounded (neutral) conductor at the service disconnect will not, in most cases, protect from the problems caused by an open neutral. The impedance of the grounding electrode system is normally too high to prevent the voltage extremes from occurring.
Don
#9
12-31-03, 04:42 AM
Thanks Again!
It was an open neutral on the utilitilies side.
It was corrected by the power co.
I called the utilities co. out 2 times before they found the open neutral on the third try.
The first 2 times they tried to convince me it was on my side and I would have to correct the problem.
Thanks again.
It was an open neutral on the utilitilies side.
It was corrected by the power co.
I called the utilities co. out 2 times before they found the open neutral on the third try.
The first 2 times they tried to convince me it was on my side and I would have to correct the problem.
Thanks again.
