Lights Dimming, Getting Bright and More

[Qwertchi]

What the title says plus a bit more. Ever since a few days ago our house's lights have been getting either very dim or very bright. Also my box fan will ramp up in speed. Sometimes lights will go out all together. All this happens in complete synchronization. At one point the power went out for a few minutes. I have my computer and other very expensive electronics plugged in to a surge protector. Should I worry about some sort of damage that could happen? I have a relative who is a rookie electrician, could he help, or do I need to call a professional? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[marconi]

Good morning Qwertchi. You describe your lighting becoming very dim or very bright and a electric fan ramping up and down in speed - in synchronism and ask about the potential for damage to electrical equipment and whether to call in a professional electrician.

The advice is to call in a professional electrician to investigate. From what you describe there is an unusual (out of tolerance) variation in voltage either due to some fault in your home's wiring or external in the supply to your home.

We in the EF are a curious crowd so we'd be grateful if you posted an update on whatever is discovered and the remedy.

Regards

Marconi

 

[Lucien Nunes]

This may be due to a high-resistance or broken neutral connection. The 240V of the supply between the two hot wires should be divided into 2 x 120V either side of the neutral. When the neutral connection is defective, the 240V does not divide equally; some 120V circuits may get excess voltage, up to the full 240V, the others will get less. The actual voltages would depend on what appliances are in use on which circuits. Damage and overheating is likely and the problem needs to be corrected immediately. It will require an electrician to discover whether it is in your own wiring or the supply.

 

[marconi]

Do I hear an echo? ;-)

 

[Megawatt]

What the title says plus a bit more. Ever since a few days ago our house's lights have been getting either very dim or very bright. Also my box fan will ramp up in speed. Sometimes lights will go out all together. All this happens in complete synchronization. At one point the power went out for a few minutes. I have my computer and other very expensive electronics plugged in to a surge protector. Should I worry about some sort of damage that could happen? I have a relative who is a rookie electrician, could he help, or do I need to call a professional? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

Owertchi welcome to the forum and as stated above you need an electrician to come and look at what you have. Since it seems like you whole house is doing what you described I would have to say your problem is in your main panel. As stated above also I’ve got to believe that it is a neutral problem which could cause your voltage to rise or go down. Please let us know how it turns out and good luck