transformer glowing red where the cables connect?

[Hobby_Man22]

I noticed when the ac turned on it looked like the terminals where the cables connect at the top of the transformer were turning redish yellow and blinked off and on for about 10 seconds. Does that mean my transformer is on the way out? It was dark outside, if it was day time I would have never noticed.

 

[dogdog]

transformer glowing red hot ? without burning up ? or is it just the wire discoloring ?

If it is just wire discoloring and nothing heats up, then just clean up the discolor and see where it goes... ?

if it is transformer glowing red, yea change it, it's not that expensive with Ebay you can get one from $15 to $50 dependents on the VA...

Not sure. what make model those things are you looking at...or if you are overloading it etc if it is only AC? and not heat ?. so...

 

[Wrench97]

Are you sure it's the transformer not the contactor you are looking at?

 

[Sumboodie]

I'd be calling the power company. Pole mounted unit?

 

[PCustoms]

I'd be calling the power company. Pole mounted unit?

OP is this inside your AC or house, or part of the utility grid?

Either way shut off the AC and call an electrician or power company ASAP. You are on borrowed time for a fire due to a loose connection.

 

[Hobby_Man22]

Are you sure it's the transformer not the contactor you are looking at?

It's like the lugs at the top that the wires going to the meter pole connect to.

 

[PCustoms]

It's like the lugs at the top that the wires going to the meter pole connect to.

Call the power company

 

[Wrench97]

Post a picture of it.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

transformer glowing red hot ? without burning up ? or is it just the wire discoloring ?

If it is just wire discoloring and nothing heats up, then just clean up the discolor and see where it goes... ?

if it is transformer glowing red, yea change it, it's not that expensive with Ebay you can get one from $15 to $50 dependents on the VA...

Not sure. what make model those things are you looking at...or if you are overloading it etc if it is only AC? and not heat ?. so...

He said outside. He’s referring to the ****** on the pole

 

[wyliesdiesels]

It's like the lugs at the top that the wires going to the meter pole connect to.

Call PoCo stat

Post a pic for us!!

 

[eejack]

unplug your electronic devices. a loose connection will cause all sorts of issues ( voltage fluctuations, disappearing neutrals ) however with electronic devices those issues can damage your equipment.

 

[Hobby_Man22]

My guess is it's the heavy startup current from the ac. Keep in mind it was dark. I don't see anything in the day time.

 

[rburke65]

Or maybe loose connections

 

[nadogail]

That glow is a “Red Flag” waving for help. Try to get help before the Smoke leaks out.

 

[eejack]

My guess is it's the heavy startup current from the ac. Keep in mind it was dark. I don't see anything in the day time.

If it were the heavy startup from the ac then all of the ac connections, from the pole to the unit itself, would be red and overheating. It is extremely likely you have loose connections at the pole. You can ignore it, but I suspect a call to your power company to look at it would be a few moments of effort and no charge from the power company.

 

[BillK]

I simply cannot comprehend why you have not called the power company yet ? SMH as they say.

It is absolutely NEVER normal for an electrical connection or conductor to be "glowing red"

 

[Hobby_Man22]

I simply cannot comprehend why you have not called the power company yet ? SMH as they say.

It is absolutely NEVER normal for an electrical connection or conductor to be "glowing red"

Did you read my last thread about my simple request to raise line height? That's why.

 

[BillK]

Did you read my last thread about my simple request to raise line height? That's why.

That has nothing to do with the current issue, period. I dont care what you think it is absolutely crazy not to have called them. I would tell them you saw a wire or connection glowing. They have no reason not to get out there asap.

I guess its your house. If you dont care enough about the possible damage from the electricity failing or even the possibility of a fire then I guess there isnt much more to say

 

[Hobby_Man22]

I would think you would see it in the daytime. I'll call I guess.

 

[southalabama]

Not sure what laws apply to your state but something called contributory negligence.

You see a problem and don’t call and bad stuff happens like fire or your electronics all get fried your insurance company or the poco will teach you a hard lesson about contributory negligence (if it applies to your state).

 

[wyliesdiesels]

My guess is it's the heavy startup current from the ac. Keep in mind it was dark. I don't see anything in the day time.

Ummm in-rush current lasts all of 100-200ms. Definitey not long enough to heat up lugs on a pole transformer...

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Not sure what laws apply to your state but something called contributory negligence.

You see a problem and don’t call and bad stuff happens like fire or your electronics all get fried your insurance company or the poco will teach you a hard lesson about contributory negligence (if it applies to your state).

Wouldnt apply here. OP has no duty to report anything wrong with PoCo equipment

 

[Jim greengo]

It's like the lugs at the top that the wires going to the meter pole connect to.

Did you read my last thread about my simple request to raise line height? That's why.

I'm thinking this 1 might get a response from them.

 

[Jim greengo]

Not sure what laws apply to your state but something called contributory negligence.

You see a problem and don’t call and bad stuff happens like fire or your electronics all get fried your insurance company or the poco will teach you a hard lesson about contributory negligence (if it applies to your state).

Depends on whether they're on garage journal or not collecting evidence.

 

[83VillageRepair]

I noticed when the ac turned on it looked like the terminals where the cables connect at the top of the transformer were turning redish yellow and blinked off and on for about 10 seconds. Does that mean my transformer is on the way out? It was dark outside, if it was day time I would have never noticed.

It is kind of hard to tell what you mean because of the lack of detail and pictures but some overhead transformers called CSP's have a red light on them that glows when they overload. That might be what you are seeing at night. Either way I would call it in. While they are changing the transformer they can raise your service drop. Win Win

 

[bluedog225]

Sort of trollish for someone with that many posts. It‘s too hot and dry for dumb games.

Day or night doesn’t matter.

Call the power company. Please.

 

[sparky 1971]

Did you read my last thread about my simple request to raise line height? That's why.

This is a different situation. The transformer connections belong to the POCO. The wire you want raised belongs to you, so they don't care.

 

[bbbarracuda]

When you call the power Co and tell them their transformer is about to burn up, they will show up PDQ.
And while the lineman is there, if you are nice, maybe he'll raise the wire while he's on site.

 

[Half-fast eddie]

Did you read my last thread about my simple request to raise line height? That's why.

Oh yeah … great logic. You’ll show them, won’t you. Very adult attitude.

 

[RPH]

Poco will respond on this over just safety concerns. If handled properly with a great attitude with responding crew. You might just get them to raise the line in question while fixing the transformer connections. Be nice and thankful.

 

[luvtheheat]

del

 

[rlitman]

I would think you would see it in the daytime. I'll call I guess.

The glow doesn't need to be visible. Signs of overheated connections will be obvious when seen close up by experienced eyes.

 

[bluedog225]

Bastrop. 2011. Electrical distribution issue.

Largest wildfire in Texas. 3000 homes lost. Deaths.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

This is a different situation. The transformer connections belong to the POCO. The wire you want raised belongs to you, so they don't care.

huh? since when does a customer own the PoCo drop to the weatherhead? never heard of that being the case anywhere...

 

[wyliesdiesels]

It is kind of hard to tell what you mean because of the lack of detail and pictures but some overhead transformers called CSP's have a red light on them that glows when they overload. That might be what you are seeing at night. Either way I would call it in. While they are changing the transformer they can raise your service drop. Win Win

I highly doubt its a CSP ****** but one way to find out.

 

[jeepxj]

He said outside. He’s referring to the ****** on the pole

****** on the pole you say.....

 

[jeepxj]

huh? since when does a customer own the PoCo drop to the weatherhead? never heard of that being the case anywhere...

private poles are a thing. rare but a thing:

example:

 

[bbbarracuda]

huh? since when does a customer own the PoCo drop to the weatherhead? never heard of that being the case anywhere...

The weatherhead is considered the break between the customer and the utility, at least at the utility I retired from.

 

[sparky 1971]

huh? since when does a customer own the PoCo drop to the weatherhead? never heard of that being the case anywhere...

I've never heard of the POCO owning the wires from the meter pole to the house. Most of them around here supply to the line side weatherhead, some of the REC's supply the meter setting. None of them supply the drop to the head on the house. If the meter is on or in the structure, that's a different story. The POCO owns that one.

Maybe I'm mistaken with the other thread and it was the drop on the supp,supply, side of the meter pole that needs raised?

 

[wyliesdiesels]

private poles are a thing. rare but a thing:

example:

yup we have private poles here but not for residences. that guy is getting primary voltage from the PoCo so everything after that is owned by him. not a good example