General Electrical Question

[nmonkman]

I need help from someone with fair amount of residential service to provide some feedback.

 

My house and the house next door have service from a pole with a single transformer. They have overhead 200 amp service and I have 400 amp underground service.

 

A couple of years ago, they told me that at certain parts of sequences, their TV would get static and buzz. I noticed that the #4 ground wire to their meter was cut and there was no ground rod. I can only assume that someone stole the rod after the house was final inspected. Note that the house was built during the "boom" here, received a final CO, but sat for almost a year before it was sold.

 

I went out an bought a 10' ground rod, installed it, checked the resistance and then re-attached the #4 wire. I didn't hear anymore complaints so I assumed the problem to be solved. This past year I got complaints from them that they had to replace a TV because of disruptions to their service and their lights dim occasionally.

 

Keep in mind that we had gotten into some heated arguments about traffic and noise so I am not sure if what they are saying is true or just an attempt to make things difficult for me.

 

I know that my lights in the house will dim when I have several lights on, particularly during "shimmer" effects, but only very slightly. You have to be looking at them to notice it. With every single bulb on (130,000), I pull roughly 240 amps.

 

Not being 100% clear on how service transformers function, I have the following questions:

1. Is what they are saying is happening possible?
2. Would it cause damage?
3. Is this my problem or the power companies problem? (legally, not ethically)

[Anthony in Houston]

Call the power company I had an issue where everyone on the same transformer would have dimming and flashing lights not only at Christmas time but when some power tools or a vacuum was turned on to certain plugs. After I did some checking I found a one volt difference in the power drop and then tested on that line. I could male the lights dim and flicker with as small as a 5 amp load on. It ended up being a loose connection on the transformer and the transformer had to be replaced.

 

Anthony

[Max-Paul]

I was thinking along the same lines as Anthony.

 

A house without a good earth ground is a disaster waiting to happen. They could have lost their lives or the house burn down without that ground. Good for you to step up and help them.

Edited June 2, 2013 by Max-Paul

[nmonkman]

Not sure which is worse, the house with no ground or the loose connection on the transformer. I have only seen one of those blow in my life, at least close up. I thought someone dropped a nuclear bomb and I was 150' away. They had the power company come out one night during the show, but not sure if it did any good at all. I guess I will call them and ask if they can swing by and at least check it out. That way at least I am being proactive.

 

Thanks for the responses.