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#184794 02/21/09 10:55 PM
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 5
E
Ek64911 Offline OP
New Member
Hi,
I was wondering if anyone here does voltage leakage testing. I have a customer that has asked my company to perform these tasks. I know little on this topic and I was wondering if someone could tell me what tools are required and where I could take training?

Thanks,

Craig


CT El.Unlimited Contractor
MA Master Electrician
RI El.Contractor
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 482
Z
Member
Do you mean voltage drop or current leak? A combination of the two would then be power loss, which is what I imagine they are attempting to find due to suspicion that they are paying for more power than they are actually using.

I'm sure there are some testing devices for more specific, but using an ammeter and a voltage meter you can probably narrow down a potential problem.

Current:

- With an active device, such as a motor/fridge/etc., you could take a an ammeter reading near the device and then back at the panel to see if there is a noteworthy difference, indicating a "leak", or draw, somewhere on the circuit.

- You could take an ammeter reading with the device on the circuit inactive to see if there is a current draw when there shouldn't be (again, take readings near the device and then back at the panel).

- You could simply shut off the main disco and see if the meter is still spinning

Voltage:

- Test voltage on a particular circuit at the panel and then at the end of the circuit run to find a difference

- You again try this with the circuit load activated to see if the voltage comes down under load.

Remember your Ohms law - voltage drop increases wattage at a particular amperage. A voltage drop can increase power consumption.

Good Luck!


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