More electrical shenanigans - any thoughts?

[Lozz360]

How would you measure the voltage then ?

I would use a plug-in energy monitor with voltage selected. They are about £15 to buy. Better than sticking multi-meter prongs into a live socket!

 

[Reynard]

Right, that's UK Power Networks called, a fault logged and a job number received. They can't guarantee they'll come out today, but right now, I'll take what I can get.

There haven't been any other faults logged in the area according to the chap I spoke to, so I would imagine the fault probably has to lie somewhere between the house and the transformer box on the corner of the next field some three poles down.

I did go out this morning to have a gander and can't see anything untoward. Although - and this is a guess - the line does run through some fairly large trees, so maybe something's been rubbing away at the insulation...

 

[Reynard]

Seriously? You’re advising the OP, who in her first post said “I’m out of my depth when it comes to electrics” to stick multi-meter prongs into a live socket! Apart from the possible contact with live parts, someone unfamiliar with the kit might have the meter set to read current instead of voltage. The result would be disastrous.

OP has, later on in the thread, stated that she has a PhD in Engineering, so will be familiar in the use of a multi-meter, so the risk as described above is minimal in her case. It’s still risky advice to give on a public forum.

I'm familiar with the use of a multi-meter, but I've no experience with electrics beyond what I did for A-level Physics, and that was nearly 30 years ago...

That plug in energy meter thing sounds like a good thing to have, though.

 

[Reynard]

Just had a phone call. The power company people will be here in about an hour to have a gander.

Fingers crossed...

 

[Arrowfoot]

Got the kettle and the popcorn out. Waiting patiently.

 

[MrGrumpy]

Got the kettle and the popcorn out. Waiting patiently.

Kettle night take a while to boil

 

[Chromatic]

Just had a phone call. The power company people will be here in about an hour to have a gander.

Fingers crossed...

This is getting exciting now! Wonder what they will find?

 

[Reynard]

They've been and gone... It's not the supply - I'm getting the full 240 volts coming in at the meter.

So likely it's the bit between the meter and the fuse box. Great, I'll need to get a sparky in for that, except I don't know one.

The guys from the power company were lovely though. I have a data sheet with all their readings, and I also have a serious case of chain saw envy.

 

[MrGrumpy]

They've been and gone... It's not the supply - I'm getting the full 240 volts coming in at the meter.

So likely it's the bit between the meter and the fuse box. Great, I'll need to get a sparky in for that, except I don't know one.

The guys from the power company were lovely though. I have a data sheet with all their readings, and I also have a serious case of chain saw envy.

Both buildings the same ? Supply from meter splits and goes to two separate fuse boards ?

 

[Lozz360]

They've been and gone... It's not the supply - I'm getting the full 240 volts coming in at the meter.

So likely it's the bit between the meter and the fuse box. Great, I'll need to get a sparky in for that, except I don't know one.

The guys from the power company were lovely though. I have a data sheet with all their readings, and I also have a serious case of chain saw envy.

I take it that the lights were still dim while 240V was being measured at the meter?

 

[Reynard]

Both buildings the same ? Supply from meter splits and goes to two separate fuse boards ?

Yes. Indeed.

 

[Reynard]

I take it that the lights were still dim while 240V was being measured at the meter?

Yes, they were. No fluctuations while they were doing the measurements.

 

[midlife]

If there are two feeds from the meter and both low on volts does that mean there's something wrong with the meter?

 

[Ridgeway]

Process of illumination, step one done !

Here on my "fuse board" if one of my cartridge fuses goes then we get a reduced output to that particular circuit (or circuits). Can also happen if one of the RCBO's trips out. This happens about once or twice a year here.

 

[Milzy]

What does it mean when your lights are on a dimmer switch but the lights flicker like mad at certain levels? Poor wiring? Bad switch?