My clock radio is not working. Spooky?

Question

Last thursday before I went to work I had a power cut. The whole area was off as far as I could tell.

When I came home that night it was back on, so I reset the time on my mains powered clock radio.

Friday morning the alarm went off but on putting on the TV I realised that it was 1/2 hour fast. I thought it must have been me that set it wrong so re-reset the time.

Saturday morning, the time was now 1 hour fast. I suspected that the power cut could have blown a circuit in the clock and it was gaining 1 hour every 24.

I bought a new clock radio on sunday, plugged it in and set the time

This morning this too was 1/2 hour fast.

I plugged the old clock in 3 hours ago in a different plug socket and re-set the new one to the same time.

They are both now 10 minutes fast.

Do I need to call in

a. An electrician

or

b. Agent Moulder from the X files

Any suggestions as to what is happening? Has anyone else in the Leeds area seen this?

Answer 1

I have no idea

My power went out a few weeks ago, my clock was doing the same exact thing, it kept gaining hours.

It's rather frustrating.

I haven't bought a new clock, though.

But maybe there's something wrong with the socket you're plugging it into?

Answer 2

Most older clocks use a "sychronus" motor to keep time. This means the clock is set to run on EXACTLY 60 cycles; normal house current AC frequency.

It is common for this to vary as power loads vary during the day. Power companies adjust the frequency overnight to correct the error in cycles that might occur during the day.

Call you local power company and ask if they are having issues maintaining 60 cycles. Tell them what is happening to your clocks. There may be a sub-station that is faulty. Also check with a neighbor and see if they have the same issue.

Newer digital clocks use an internal oscillator to keep time; that is why a "battery backup" will keep time during a power failure; it keeps the oscillator running. If your clock suffered a surge, it may have damaged the oscillator, and that may be why your clock is fast.

Answer 3

Maybe since the power cut electricity is coming through your cables a bit quicker. Thats why the clocks are gaining. lol before some science bod thumbs me down im joking ok?

Call foxy fox now!!