Dimming lights in entire house

footbal9584 · Feb 11, 2020

Hi!

DIY electrical guy here. I am hoping someone can point me in some direction on this. I live in Ohio if that helps. We bought this house a year ago and it has always been a problem. The general inspector didn't note anything really out of the ordinary with our setup, but he was not an electrician either.

Basically the problem is that whenever a larger electrical load (Stove, Dryer, Heat Pump, etc.) all the lights in the house dim for a second then come back up. We have no natural gas where we live so everything in the house is electric.

Now the details

I find our electrical set-up somewhat unique and have a couple ideas as to where the problem may be.

Outside a single line comes from the pole at the road ~120 ft where the main line continues to our neighbor's and a smaller line splits off to our house, each about ~60-75 ft.

Here is where I think the first problem may be as the line coming to our house is only about 6-8 gauge off the main line shared with out neighbor's which appears to be 4-6 gauge.

Then the the wires tie into 4 gauge wire at the head before going to the meter. (see pic)

Next from here, the 4 gauge wire runs ~30 ft to the main panel in this conduit.

Here is where is I think another possible problem may lie. The line comes in on the other side of what I believe is either an add-on, or the old garage converted to living space. I am not sure if this is too long from the meter to the main panel. I am not sure if the meter outside was moved, or it was always here, but it does not appear that the meter or the panel were ever moved. However, the previous owner did not do this add-on/conversion so I cannot say for sure. Based on my research, it has been 20+ years since it was done.

This add-on has its own 100 amp sub panel as well. There is also a 100 amp sub panel in our barn.

Finally here is a picture of the two panels in the house, the main and the sub in the add-on/conversion. I can get one from the barn if needed. Any thoughts?

I know this a long post, so I thank you for your time and any feedback you may have. I am leaning towards calling the electric company about the outside line, but really don't want to open a can of worms that could potentially cost thousands right now if there is a chance that it is internal.

Midwest · Feb 11, 2020

Whilst electricity is pretty much the same stuff all over the world over, there are slight difference with voltage, frequency etc and how is supplied. If your lights dim when a large load is applied, somethings not right. It could a supply problem, loose connection or something within your property.

Whatever, it needs further investigation. Your supplier would need to inspect their bit, and you might need you installation inspected.

I'm have no idea about American installations, but looking at your pics, your installation doesn't look particularly very healthy.

Hopefully, one of the American members, will be along shortly to advise.

Pete999 · Feb 11, 2020

footbal9584 said:
Hi!

DIY electrical guy here. I am hoping someone can point me in some direction on this. I live in Ohio if that helps. We bought this house a year ago and it has always been a problem. The general inspector didn't note anything really out of the ordinary with our setup, but he was not an electrician either.

Basically the problem is that whenever a larger electrical load (Stove, Dryer, Heat Pump, etc.) all the lights in the house dim for a second then come back up. We have no natural gas where we live so everything in the house is electric.

Now the details

I find our electrical set-up somewhat unique and have a couple ideas as to where the problem may be.

Outside a single line comes from the pole at the road ~120 ft where the main line continues to our neighbor's and a smaller line splits off to our house, each about ~60-75 ft.

Here is where I think the first problem may be as the line coming to our house is only about 6-8 gauge off the main line shared with out neighbor's which appears to be 4-6 gauge.

Then the the wires tie into 4 gauge wire at the head before going to the meter. (see pic)
View attachment 55689 View attachment 55687

Next from here, the 4 gauge wire runs ~30 ft to the main panel in this conduit.

Here is where is I think another possible problem may lie. The line comes in on the other side of what I believe is either an add-on, or the old garage converted to living space. I am not sure if this is too long from the meter to the main panel. I am not sure if the meter outside was moved, or it was always here, but it does not appear that the meter or the panel were ever moved. However, the previous owner did not do this add-on/conversion so I cannot say for sure. Based on my research, it has been 20+ years since it was done.

This add-on has its own 100 amp sub panel as well. There is also a 100 amp sub panel in our barn.
View attachment 55692

Finally here is a picture of the two panels in the house, the main and the sub in the add-on/conversion. I can get one from the barn if needed. Any thoughts?
View attachment 55694 View attachment 55695 View attachment 55696 View attachment 55697

I know this a long post, so I thank you for your time and any feedback you may have. I am leaning towards calling the electric company about the outside line, but really don't want to open a can of worms that could potentially cost thousands right now if there is a chance that it is internal.

Looks like you are experiencing, "Voltage Drop" when the heavy load is tuned on, as per Midwest get your supplier involved to check the condition of the supply, one of our American Members may be able to help. good luck

Megawatt · Feb 11, 2020

Pete999 said:
Looks like you are experiencing, "Voltage Drop" when the heavy load is tuned on, as per Midwest get your supplier involved to check the condition of the supply, one of our American Members may be able to help. good luck

footbal9584 said:
Hi!

DIY electrical guy here. I am hoping someone can point me in some direction on this. I live in Ohio if that helps. We bought this house a year ago and it has always been a problem. The general inspector didn't note anything really out of the ordinary with our setup, but he was not an electrician either.

Basically the problem is that whenever a larger electrical load (Stove, Dryer, Heat Pump, etc.) all the lights in the house dim for a second then come back up. We have no natural gas where we live so everything in the house is electric.

Now the details

I find our electrical set-up somewhat unique and have a couple ideas as to where the problem may be.

Outside a single line comes from the pole at the road ~120 ft where the main line continues to our neighbor's and a smaller line splits off to our house, each about ~60-75 ft.

Here is where I think the first problem may be as the line coming to our house is only about 6-8 gauge off the main line shared with out neighbor's which appears to be 4-6 gauge.

Then the the wires tie into 4 gauge wire at the head before going to the meter. (see pic)
View attachment 55689 View attachment 55687

Next from here, the 4 gauge wire runs ~30 ft to the main panel in this conduit.

Here is where is I think another possible problem may lie. The line comes in on the other side of what I believe is either an add-on, or the old garage converted to living space. I am not sure if this is too long from the meter to the main panel. I am not sure if the meter outside was moved, or it was always here, but it does not appear that the meter or the panel were ever moved. However, the previous owner did not do this add-on/conversion so I cannot say for sure. Based on my research, it has been 20+ years since it was done.

This add-on has its own 100 amp sub panel as well. There is also a 100 amp sub panel in our barn.
View attachment 55692

Finally here is a picture of the two panels in the house, the main and the sub in the add-on/conversion. I can get one from the barn if needed. Any thoughts?
View attachment 55694 View attachment 55695 View attachment 55696 View attachment 55697

I know this a long post, so I thank you for your time and any feedback you may have. I am leaning towards calling the electric company about the outside line, but really don't want to open a can of worms that could potentially cost thousands right now if there is a chance that it is internal.

football welcome to the forum and to start with the power company is not going to change the wire size because it can withstand more amperage in free air which keeps it cool. I suspect you have a loose connection in your main panel on the main lugs Yes them panels look like crap but they are still doing there job. Call an electrician to come over and check you main connections. Even though the power coming in is feeding 3 houses that will not effect you. Good luck

footbal9584 · Apr 27, 2020

Thank you all for the replies, sorry it has taken me so long to get back to you. I have not had the chance to revisit this and with everything going on, I don't think I want anyone coming to the house unnecessarily.

Once things settle down I plan on having an electrician come out to take a look.

Thanks again!

pc1966 · Apr 27, 2020

While it is clear this needs to be looked at by a professional, if it turns out that there is some volt drop issue that the electricity company won't do anything about then one other option to make it less annoying is to look at LED lights instead of tungsten filament lamps as they show less change in brightness with voltage.

footbal9584 · Apr 27, 2020

Thanks, unfortunately we already have all LEDs in the house and it's still really noticable. I'm actually more worried about our electronics being damaged due to the voltage fluctuations.

Megawatt · Apr 27, 2020

footbal9584 said:
Thanks, unfortunately we already have all LEDs in the house and it's still really noticable. I'm actually more worried about our electronics being damaged due to the voltage fluctuations.

Once your electrician gets there he will read the line voltage coming in from the power company which in my experience should be 240vac