Power problems

[HOTFR8]

Best read this topic first.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=29207&showall=1

Then I ask if any one else has had similar problems ? Appears my power is not 50 Hz as it should be

 

[Charles (in GA)]

Never really tried to measure the cycles, but I've never seen or hear of problems that were traced back to cycles too far off from the standard (60 cycles here in the US). How far off were yours?

Charles

 

[ddawg16]

In the US I believe there is a specification that requires the line frequency to be within a certain range....

But, I don't see how that can be a significant issue unless it's really off. In almost all devices, the AC is converted to DC anyway.

When I'm dealing with power supplies...I de-rate the output if I'm going to run it on 50 hz....but it really doesn't care if it's 62hz or 53hz.....the freq will not have an effect on the tv or similar devices.

 

[79firebird]

here in danada where i am its 60. my honda was also 60. had a generator welder that would some times drop to 50 and had killed a fue power tools on me

 

[HOTFR8]

It should be 50Hz. yet my invertor for the solar has seen changes dropping to 48hz and coming up as his as 52Hz. I know very little about this but have been told it is a BIG problem. Voltage drop is ok but frequency variation is not OK . At the present I can not turn on my New Solar Power system. Waiting for an inspector still.

 

[79firebird]

ahh yes its from the part of the world you are in just did a search and it seams like the power out there is 50hz where as where i am its 60 hz. might wonna make shure the things you have are rated for 50 and not 60. but it should not be droping after the inverter tho

 

[HOTFR8]

ahh yes its from the part of the world you are in just did a search and it seams like the power out there is 50hz where as where i am its 60 hz. might wonna make shure the things you have are rated for 50 and not 60. but it should not be droping after the inverter tho

Thanks, A good point. Things here would be rated to 50hz. Invertor is new and prior to that we lost many electrical items. Now the invertor just shuts down my solar power or tries to disconect from the grid power. Any way the problem is the power companies not mine an they have to fix it but I have to convince them yet they (the power company) have a problem something after all the testing as mentioned in the other topic has not yet been rectified.

 

[Torque1st]

The power company power will be right on 50Hz due to the fact that it probably comes from several power plants on a grid. They actually count cycles and will make up a lost or extra cycle during a day to keep clocks accurate. All the generators on the grid have to be locked to each other or they will do nasty things like explode or melt down...

Your inverter however is like any UPS system and has it's own internal clock when it is making power from DC. The frequency of that power can vary somewhat. Indicating 48 or 52Hz would not be unusual. If the meter is one of those little vibrating finger type frequency meters they are not very accurate. Even a digital frequency meter is subject to the accuracy of it's own internal clock. Anyway a little variation is not a problem unless you are running an electric clock from it. I would suggest running any clocks off a battery.

 

[HOTFR8]

About at Screaming point here as the power issue is very annoying. Power company has tested my place many times now for weeks on end. I may just consider diconnecting from the grid and having my own power as that appears the only way to stop the problem. Inspector is yet to arrive, and hopefully he will have some answers.

 

[Torque1st]

Your frequency is not varying. Your meter or indicator is bad.

The power frequency is the same for everyone on the utility grid. It does not vary by location.

 

[79firebird]

i hope ya have luck finding the prob soon. im wondering could you have had a spike in the power that could have done something to the system. could be a bad conection some where on the way to the meter also. ato work we have been haveing major voltage probs due to a bad conection at the pole that the hydro co did 3 months ago susposto be out to fix it in the next 2 weeks they say

 

[HOTFR8]

Inspector has just left. Did not have the right gear with him to investigate further. "I have a problem" was the last words he said although it is a Power Supply Company problem. In the mean time I have Solar Power I can not use and the inspector will have to make a few phone calls and return later.

Torque1st - Sorry. Yes I do have a frequency problem as my new equipment tells me so as does the Inpsector and yes the frequency SHOULD be the same for every one but here it is a problem and yes we can prove it is so. So far many other on Solar Power feeding back to the grid have told me of the same issue here.

79firebird - I just hope the Inspector finds the problem, SOON

I will post here the outcome..... when the inspector has been back.

Rolls eyes and then gets back to other posts re my motor in the F4 -
The Beast Runs.

 

[HOTFR8]

Inspector has been twice and told me the power company needs to investigate again.
Talk about getting the run round and no results.

 

[HOTFR8]

After a phone call today I am waiting again now to see if my Power supply company will install a data logger.

 

[egdede]

My drop is basically thick-*** romex with the neutral wound as a shield. Squirrels chew on the neutral to grind their teeth down.

Since a drop is just a multi-wire circuit (shared neutral) from the pole, a disruption in the neutral can lead to voltage fluctuations. A complete break will send 240v to every circuit in the house.

Someone above suggested checking the drop crimps. I would also visually inspect the drop to make sure the neutral isn't compromised.

 

[HOTFR8]

Thanks Egdede. Power Cor (the power suppliers) are due back again to investigate further and the man that fitted my Solar is due back again soon to see if he can reconfigure the invertor so it is not so sensitive.

 

[egdede]

^^^ USA 120v AC w/ total neutral break = 240v, not sure what voltages you're dealing with. A partially compromised neutral leads to fluctuating voltages.

I figured out what my problem was because I saw a squirrel run down my drop, and watched the lights flicker in perfect timing with the swaying of the wires.

 

[HOTFR8]

240v here. Solar installer is due back soon and still no word from Power Cor.

 

[HOTFR8]

Problem has been solved. Happily running on Solar Power now and feeding power back to the grid. Do not ask me to explain as all I can say it was not what we expected.

 

[W-Cummins]

Problem has been solved. Happily running on Solar Power now and feeding power back to the grid. Do not ask me to explain as all I can say it was not what we expected.

Great, about 60 posts and 2 threads and your not even going to tell what the hell was the problem

William....

 

[HOTFR8]

One....... a l bad connection on the invertor

Two........Looks like the harmonics / frequency problem could be from a Sump pump or Aerator on my property still not 100% sure on that one.

Only reason I did not explain is I was still waiting for it all to explained to me