Coincidence? Continuity? | on ElectriciansForums

Discuss Coincidence? Continuity? in the DIY Electrical Advice area at ElectriciansForums.net

Nicky1

DIY
Joined
Jul 1, 2021
Messages
2
Reaction score
0
Location
San Francisco, CA
Hello,
Back in November I had a dedicated circuit installed for a garage door opener. Over the next few days and ever since I noticed my dryer would sometimes be blinking "PF" (power fail). The breaker was never tripped and by the time I'd notice the error code on the dryer, everything would be working again. The day the dedicated circuit was installed, the electrician asked why the circuit that runs the dryer was OFF (this is odd because I have never seen the breaker tripped but somehow it was when he started working in the electrical box). I explained that it wasn't off...it runs the washer, dryer, a garage refrigerator and a light. I showed him the ice cream in the freezer to prove it.
Now..I am having intermittent power loss on that 1 circuit. It's in the garage and the only thing running on it continuously is the refrigerator.
I called him back out and he changed out the outlet for me but it hasn't made a difference.
Sometimes it stops working and I turn the breaker off and wait either a few hours or a day and then its fine again.
Could he have accidentally done something?
Could it be a continuity issue with the main line of the electric company?
Any advice would be appreciated. I already paid for the dedicated circuit and a trouble call. I really can't afford to keep calling him back.
 
TL;DR
Issue with intermittent power loss, no breaker tripped
If that circuit is tripping then there is a fault somewhere. It needs testing first to track down the fault, then you replace the faulty item/cable. I am unsure why he changed the socket, perhaps he tested first though and found an issue.
One thing you could do is plug the fridge into another circuit for a few days (extension lead). If it is the fridge at fault then the new circuit will trip, if not then the old circuit will trip. You could try this with various items. This may save you another call out.
 
If that circuit is tripping then there is a fault somewhere. It needs testing first to track down the fault, then you replace the faulty item/cable. I am unsure why he changed the socket, perhaps he tested first though and found an issue.
One thing you could do is plug the fridge into another circuit for a few days (extension lead). If it is the fridge at fault then the new circuit will trip, if not then the old circuit will trip. You could try this with various items. This may save you another call out.
He tested the outlet and said it was bad. He also blamed the power strip plugged into it.
I ----ed the power strip and agreed to the outlet change. Meanwhile, I've plugged the fridge into the new dedicated unit with the garage opener temporarily. No problems there. The fridge is the only thing that runs continuously on the bad circuit so there's nothing left to switch around.
Over the past 2 weeks the electrical company has come out to do overhead line work. When they left the circuit worked again but I haven't tested it thoroughly yet. That's why I'm wondering if that could be connected in any way.
 
If I'm reading the OP correctly, the problem isn't a tripping RCD, RCBO or MCB, but just a short interruption in power to a circuit that goes unnoticed, initially at least, by everyone and everything except the drier.
New circuit in CU with new MCB? Wonder if the CU is the type that you have to remove the busbar to fit an extra deice, and the MCB for the faulty circuit has been put back with the clamp missing the busbar?
 

Reply to Coincidence? Continuity? in the DIY Electrical Advice area at ElectriciansForums.net

News and Offers from Sponsors

  • Sticky
  • Article
Wicked I've just actually looked through it and it's very smart. Some good stuff in it. There's a tile association company that do a magazine...
Replies
2
Views
353
  • Article
OFFICIAL SPONSORS These Official Forum Sponsors May Provide Discounts to Regular Forum Members - If you would like to sponsor us then...
Replies
0
Views
320
  • Article
Hi everyone, Another weekend, another sale! Get ready for colder days with Haverland Radiators, combining efficiency with modern design. Keep...
Replies
0
Views
368

Similar threads

The 3A fuse is there to protect the current lighting. For additional power you connect from the non protected 3A fuse side.
Replies
1
Views
539
Ok, please be aware that I am a 'do-it-yourself-er,' so if this isn't the right place to be posting this thread, let me know where I should be...
Replies
0
Views
428

OFFICIAL SPONSORS

Electrical Goods - Electrical Tools - Brand Names Electrician Courses Green Electrical Goods PCB Way Electrical Goods - Electrical Tools - Brand Names Pushfit Wire Connectors Electric Underfloor Heating Electrician Courses
These Official Forum Sponsors May Provide Discounts to Regular Forum Members - If you would like to sponsor us then CLICK HERE and post a thread with who you are, and we'll send you some stats etc

YOUR Unread Posts

This website was designed, optimised and is hosted by untold.media Operating under the name Untold Media since 2001.
Back
Top