Fluctuating current & lightning - what do I do?

[carguy123]

This is whole house related as well as the garage. I am building my home and in the process have determined that we have a lot of voltage fluctuations. My neighbors confirm that has been an issue for years and the power company simply won't upgrade the area "grid". I haven't a clue about surges, but I definitely get a lot of power drops.

Additionally, during the construction process we have been hit by lightning twice. Once near the metal building which caused some impressive crackling and small electrical jumps all around the inside of the building as well as one strike near the transformer on the front of the property.

I am supposed to have permanent power connections in the next couple of days. I know there is something I can add to "clean up" the power supply and something else (?) that I can add to help protect me from future lightning strikes only I can't remember what they are called?

What should I be asking my electrician to install? I have talked to my electrician and 2 other electricians on 2 other houses being built in the area and they don't have a clue since they've never done that before.

 

[Franz©]

self regulating constant voltage transformer a/k/a buck & boost in cheaper configuration where incoming voltage is constantly either high or low.

""Talked to 3 "electricians" and none of them know what you're talking about."" What does that tell you about the competence of people purporting to be electricians in your area?

PoCo is allowed 10% from centerline voltage. Put a Dranetz on the line, record it, and then get on PSC for your state if you have a proveable case.

 

[carguy123]

PoCo is allowed 10% from centerline voltage. Put a Dranetz on the line, record it, and then get on PSC for your state if you have a proveable case.

What's a PSC? What's a Dranetz?

I am presuming a Dranetz is a way to measure voltage fluctuations and a PSC is a . . . . . no, can't figure that one out.

But thanx for the name of gizmo. Will that help with lightning strikes as well. I knew it had to be some kind of conditioner, but none of the guys had heard of anything except a surge protector which doesn't help with low voltage situations.

 

[Franz©]

Do a Google for Dranetz BMI, there is an encyclopedia on line. Dranetz measures everything and records fluctuations faster than the eye can see.

PSC= Public Service Comission- the State agency that regulates utilitys.

Lightning is strictly between you and whatever diety you subscribe to. About the only hope you have is that the PoCo installed lightning arrestors on the primary and grounded them well. Beyond that, all yo can do is grounding on your side and a lightnign arrestor preferably gas tube, on your side.

I have yet to see anything that clamps fast enough to protect from lightning.

 

[markb1]

You could try lightning arrestors (rods)

This manual gives you very detailed info highly recommended.
http://www.nfpa.org/catalog/product.asp?category_name=&pid=78000

 

[MXtras]

If you complain enough, the PoCo will monitor your incoming line for you - at least they will here in Virginia. I had the same issue and they came out, monitored the line for a few days and ended up replacing a transformer down the road.

Scott