Had some problems out in one of the machine sheds and found 110V on one incoming leg and a little over 3V on the other incoming leg.... Didn't have enough time to dig much deeper. Would my next best place to look be out at the meter pole to see if I have some bad connections? Thanks!
One dead leg?
- Thread starter P Dubya
- Start date
First, have the PoCo de-energize. While they're checking their connections, you can check yours at your service entrance, sub panels, etc. Just walk it logically backwards from where you're finding the low volts toward the source. Don't forget a wire can go bad in mid-span. Visually inspect aerials, and pray for your undergrounds. And, don't try to do any of this hot. Your "insulated" screwdrivers and wire strippers/crimpers are not safe to use on hot circuits.
Maybe you'll get lucky and PoCo will find a problem at their disconnect point and fix it in five minutes.
Maybe you'll get lucky and PoCo will find a problem at their disconnect point and fix it in five minutes.
63spyder
Well-known member
I would just follow that circuit through every connection until you get to the start using your tester until you find the problem ,before you have the power turned off. If you use common sense and watch what your touching its not unsafe and easier to find the problem than when the power is off. IMO
Quite so. The problem comes in trying to FIX the problem with the power on. It's only one loose screw terminal in a panel's feed... grab your allen wrench, y'know, the one with the nice plastic cover over the long leg, and give it a grunt. Maybe you get lucky, maybe you try to conduct the entire output of the nearest power plant.
Not a chance I'd take or advise.
wyliesdiesels
Well-known member
Without knowing your electrical setup, the best place to start would be to check the power at the main breaker to see whether you have 240v there or not.
joe_padavano
Well-known member
As others have noted, the problem could be a loose or corroded connection just about anywhere from the transformer to the shed. I had exactly this problem once and it ended up being a bad crimp on one of the service drop wires. That's just an example, it could be anywhere.
Highbeam
Well-known member
Happened to me too. It was the funky fitting between the aerial power drop and the wires right before they go into the weather head. The power company replaced that fitting, worked it hot.
chrism0107
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jun 4, 2012
- Messages
- 252
i had this in my house when i first moved in the main breaker failed to close both legs. so only half my house had power. i went to the panel with my meter and verified this. so i opened(turned off) then reclosed(turned on) the breaker and now had power to both legs. this is assumming you have breakers and not fuses.
wyliesdiesels
Well-known member
I hope u changed that breaker! 