Low voltage in house during peak energy hours?

Question

This has been an ongoing problem for several years out of the 20 I've lived here, and each summer I seem to have less and less electricity available especially during the week m-f and during the hottest part of the afternoon, from say 2-6. I can not even run successfully one window a/c unit that uses 1500. watts. My only other large draw is the fridge, I turned off the hot water heater and all my lights are energy savers, (so I'm very miserly in my usage).

I've metered all my outlets during this time period and they read as low as 108 volts to to some at 113. I had the electric co. come out and

test my voltage at the meter and he said it was 120 and that was good (he said) however, he came out later in the afternoon when I usually see a 4-5 volt increase.

What is going on, and why is it only during summer, weekdays at peak power usage times? More importantly what can I do

about it?

Utility co. told me I have #4 aluminum with a 3 span coming to my house, from the pole...

Answer 1

i know the the wire size is like a freeway and the amps are like the cars. your issue can be the wire size and age. how long has it been since you have had a panel Electrical) service? are the breakers shutting off , or is it just the power will not flow enought to work everything. both can be a wire sizing issue. minimum required panel size now is 100 amps which is more than likely what you have. my last choice guess is the line coming in from the city is not properly connected. it will still give you the reading of 110-120 but will drop in power when you cut something on .

Answer 2

I'm with Daryl b.  I believe the trouble lies with the power company's inadequate supply to your home.  ALUMINUM power supply lines to your home? 3-span I take to mean that the potential across two wires is 240 V. AC and a third common grounding wire; the voltage across it and either one of the other wires is 120 V. AC.  Is the wiring in your home all aluminum also?  I've heard many stories about what a 'bad actor' aluminum wiring can be in cases of loose connections causing excessive heat build-up and creating fires.

Maybe there is a loose connection in the power company's wiring to the transformer supplying your home.  How about neighbors whose homes might be pulling off of the same transformer?  Have you heard any complaints similar to yours coming from them?  If the power company keep giving you a 'snow job', next time you have low voltage problems give them a call and report that you're having low power problems againg and the every time this happens, you think you see smoke sometimes around your transformer on the pole.  I'll bet they'll be out PRONTO to check everything out  THOROUGHLY!

Answer 3

It sounds like a utility issue.  The voltage should be around 120 V.  108 V is on low end although every thing should still run.  Before calling the utility company,  check all of the connections it the panel.  Including the main lugs, neutrals, and the wires on the breakers.  If this makes you nervous,  for around $60-$75 you can have a qualified electrician check it out for you.  As for the wire size to the house, If you are not over loading the wire with amps there should be no problem.  #4 alum. is rated for around 60 amps.  If you have a 100 amp service to your house it should be a #3 copper or larger (in wire sizes a #3 is larger than a #4 and copper is a better conductor than alum.)  An electrician can also check the ampacity that you are running if you don't have an amprobe.  Hope that helps a little.

Answer 4

i think you have a problem with your main breaker breaking down ..... what i mean is that the contacts in main breaker are arching at high power consumption... it has caused the contacts not to make good contact[ called burnt contacts ] ..... its like dirty battery terminals on your car.............. electricity cant go through to get to the metal to continue its journey to your other breakers... therefore you have power loss......  also your contacts where the main breaker connects to your buss[long bars where your other breakers connect] maybe arched also ............. sounds like you need to contact an electrician