OT question for electricians

[DgenR8]

When we upgraded to a pricey flat screen TV, I insisted on a high quality surge protector. I wouldn't accept a cheap power strip, I went for this;
http://mobile.walmart.com/ip/Monste...-1850-HD-PowerCenter-Surge-Protector/17490790
During the winter, I have no issues, but in the summer, that surge protector trips a LOT. Some days are much worse than others. The surge protector has a digital read out to tell me what the voltage is coming in to the unit. Without any air conditioners (window units) on, voltage runs about 114-118. When I start putting on ACs, the line voltage climbs and bounces around. Over 127 and the protector trips.
With all my window units running, and line voltage over 125, if I put on my pool filter, the voltage DROPS to 120 or less and tends to stay there.
Now, I'm not a trained electrician, bit I'm a pretty well educated homeowner and this situation has me baffled.

 

[Bow]

After turning on the ac and it jumps does it pretty much settle back down unless te condensors kick in? Is the tv on the same circuit as an ac?

 

[Bow]

Might also be a neutral problem from lipa. If your pool pump is 220 it might be balancing out the load from other circuits

 

[DgenR8]

Pool pump could be 220, but it's wired for 110. The TV is actually on a dedicated 20 amp circuit. the only thing on it is the surge protector, which has a DVD player, my stereo receiver, maybe an unused VCR and the TV. Sometimes, once everything is on, it will be okay, most times, at this time of year, the protector keeps popping at intervals of 5-10 minutes. Makes TV unwatchable.

 

[Paul B]

I am an electrician and the only way I could see that happening is if there were a problem, with one of your 220v ACs. A neutral is probably either broken or severely corroded. You would have to test each 220 device in your home to figure that out. It is also a dangerous problem, not to much to you, but it will burn out appliances, especially a TV. I also live on Long Island and the power company is not going to send you more than about 118 volts. That problem is in your wiring. It is fairly easy to check with a multimeter after you find out which appliance circuit is faulty.

 

[fio1022]

I'd call PSEG.
Service man should check connections,neutral,verify proper voltage to meter pan.He may also take amp readings at transformer.Might be flaky.
Voltages should be 120/240v but can vary slightly.

 

[DgenR8]

Paul,
I have 220V service, but no 220V appliances. I run a max of 5 window A/C units, all 110v. My pool filter could be wired for 220V, but I'm running it on 110.

 

[DgenR8]

Right now, with 4 air conditioners on, the volt readout on my surge protector is bouncing between 116 and 117.
The same 4 A/Cs running last night and the surge protector was telling me the line voltage was 126-132. We couldn't keep the TV on as the protector kept popping.

 

[Bow]

Try to test the outlet with the surge suppressor in it. Simple things first. Make sure that's not faulty. Where on li?

 

[DgenR8]

I just plugged it into the dedicated 20 amp outlet a few days ago, it was good for the first 36 hrs or so.
By test the outlet, you mean make sure it's grounded? Make sure it's not wired backwards?
I'm in s/w Nassau.

 

[Bow]

Test it meaning use a multimeter and see what the voltage says compared to your suppressor.

 

[DgenR8]

That makes sense, and I am equipped to perform that operation. I'll do it when I get home from work.

 

[Paul B]

I have 220V service, but no 220V appliances. I run a max of 5 window A/C units, all 110v. My pool filter could be wired for 220V, but I'm running it on 110.

It doesn't have to be a 220 appliance. Your home is wired with 3 wire cables all over the place with one neutral for two circuits. A neutral someplace on one of those cables is loose. I don't think it is the main in the panel, but it could be. You just have to keep turning things on and off to see where the voltage imbalance is coming from.
Remember, just turning on something doesn't mean it is operation. Things like a refrigerator and furnace cycle on and off.

 

[Bow]

Back stabbed outlet?

 

[mbg75]

Call PSEG. Open neutral condition. Let a troubleshooter come and check. It's free.

 

[cm11599ps]

Pool pump could be 220, but it's wired for 110. The TV is actually on a dedicated 20 amp circuit. the only thing on it is the surge protector, which has a DVD player, my stereo receiver, maybe an unused VCR and the TV. Sometimes, once everything is on, it will be okay, most times, at this time of year, the protector keeps popping at intervals of 5-10 minutes. Makes TV unwatchable.

What is this "VCR" thing you speak of? :fun2: