[Boatanchors] Storm Damage to Electronics

[Ron Hunsicker]

All,

Maybe you can help me understand some damage to the electronics of my 
neighbors.

During the recent northeast snow storm ten neighbors, all on one PPL 
transformer, lost power.  Power was lost because branches pulled the 
electric services from both halves of a duplex (semi-detached house).  
At the same time that the power was lost, there was a voltage spike that 
blew out all kinds of solid state devices (Yeah, I know, if they had 
tubes...).  What were lost were things that are always on (stoves, 
furnaces, heat pumps, microwaves) or "on" even when they are turned 
"off" (TVs, principally).   There were reports that the lights suddenly 
became brighter and that there was a sizzling noise.

The story is that, when the two services were pulled from the walls, the 
neutrals were broken and the spikes were the result.

Would someone please explain why the voltage spiked when the neutrals 
were lost?

Thanks,

Ron

-- 
Ron Hunsicker
1238 Cleveland Avenue
Wyomissing, PA 19610-2102
610-478-0371
ronhunsi at ptd.net