ECN Forum Forums General Topics of the Trade General Discussion Area Dimming Lights

One of my surplus tool acquisitations was a recording voltmeter for less than $100. It certainly isn't a Draynetz(sp) but can give you a clue as to where to look. I also got a $30 amp clamp for it. It is not unreasonable to make a 24 hr tape. It's nice to have evidence when you want to finger point.

Do any of the neighbors possibly possess heat pump(s) that have a failing compressor or compressor start components?

I did run into this exact situation several years ago, and found that the next door neighbor had a heat pump that was trying to start and locking out. It only happened in the evening, after they got home from work and turned the thermostat up. They didn't really know they had a problem, as the resistance backup was covering the load. I heard the thing groan and snap when I was outside looking at my customers' meterbase.

I have had dimming lights on one leg at my house for a couple of months. I have gone round and round with the power company and was confident that it was not on my side of the meter. I finally got ugly enough that they sent someone that would spend some time.

We loaded up the house - all appliances on.
He added "The Beast" to the service load and found a crimp connection on the pole was getting hot.
The service drop is maybe 6 months old. So all connections were recent.
He remade all connections at the pole and at the weatherhead.

Problem solved.....finally.

The moral of the story is: Maybe it is a crimped connection on the pole. They can look good and still be a problem.

Met with power company on Wedneday and they changed the crimps on the weatherhead. No signs of arcing on the buss bar and the meter was tight. Called the homeowner last evening and the lights are still dimming. I am requesting that the place a tester (meter) on the service.

minangelo,
My $0.02 worth,
If I were trouble-shooting this fault,
I'd be looking at the Step-down Transformer itself, it sounds like there may be an internal connection problem, possibly where the HV or LV connections come through the Bushing on the Transformer body.
BTW, when the lights dim, did you notice any particular noises coming from the pole wiring or the Xformer, like a buzzing sound?.