SIGforum
Question for the ones named Sparky (electricians)
July 07, 2019, 12:20 AM
pointman73Question for the ones named Sparky (electricians)
We had a big electrical storm tonight and found an odd number of issues that are not consistent with what I've seen in the past. After the storm, here are my house issues;
-Outside security lights out,
-A/C out, not even a blip on the control panel,
-livingroom tv add on speaker system kaput,
-tv on other side of house out,
-bedroom tv-one of the HDMI ports acting weird will not recognize the cable box but will recognize the computer,
-microwave clock was blinking.
Everything else seems to be working just fine. I was wondering if there isn't enough current coming through or was there a local lightening strike that fried some components. No breakers were flipped and I reset them all, inside and outside.
What say you?
Never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake.
July 07, 2019, 12:53 AM
sig operatorPossible voltage surge that fried some components.
Some microwaves blink after a loss of power to let you know to check and reset the time.
May want to think of a whole house surge arrestor if this is what happened. Multiple circuits with a surge problem.
July 07, 2019, 12:57 AM
jimmy123xCould be either a surge or a brown out (voltage drop). Are the items working after you reset the breakers?
July 07, 2019, 12:58 AM
shovelheadNot an electrician but I think you have the same thing happen that we did during the last power outage, a surge took out some of your equipment.
When power came back on we had a wall mounted surge protector start to burn, no damage to the tv, the dvd player, the Amazon firestick, or the wireless receiver from Direct TV. Another surge protector on the microwave, both status lights were out signifying a failure but the microwave survived.
Hot water heater valve and the power transformer for the furnace and A/C units were fried. Lost a dehumidifier, a GFCI outlet and a wall receptacle with a USB charger.
TV's, both flat screens made it through, refrigerator, freezer, sump pump and range made it through unscathed.
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————————--Ignorance is a powerful tool if applied at the right time, even, usually, surpassing knowledge(E.J.Potter, A.K.A. The Michigan Madman)
July 07, 2019, 03:00 AM
Excam_ManVoltage issues taking out the more sensitive/weakened electrical components.
I'd check the furnace fuse, then the transformer.
Power adapter for the speaker.
Reset microwave, likely ok.
Probably cheaper to replace the tv's.
July 07, 2019, 12:27 PM
casStart simple, 1st make sure the outlets themselves work.
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Sliced bread, the greatest thing since the 1911.
July 07, 2019, 12:35 PM
Skins2881Timely, someone just started a thread RE whole house surge protectors.
Yep, you got hit either with PoCo surge or lighting hit some of their equipment close to your house. As excam said check fuse, trans, then board in furnace. As far as the security lights, I'm assuming they are motion sensor lights? If so, very susceptible to dying from a surge, they likely will need to be replaced, same with TVs, microwave - set clock and test.
Also as CAS said check to see if there is actually power at the outlets with a desk lamp if you don't have a plug tester.
Jesse
Sic Semper Tyrannis July 07, 2019, 12:52 PM
George43Call your Homeowners Insurance Agent for an inspection and an estimate now!
A gun in the hand is worth more than ten policemen on the phone.
The American Revolution was carried out by a group of gun toting religious zealots.
July 07, 2019, 01:08 PM
Skins2881quote:
Originally posted by George43:
Call your Homeowners Insurance Agent for an inspection and an estimate now!
Check you coverages first, no reason for a CLUE hit if they don't cover it. Also just so you know you may have other things fail shortly after the actual event.
Surge protectors are often built into some equipment. They are comprised of a
MOV installed on a the boards of equipment. They are self sacrificing and may be used up at this point. Next time you get a small surge, poof.
Jesse
Sic Semper Tyrannis