[GreenKeys] Re: power problems?

[Bob McConnell]

Eugene Hertz wrote:
> Thanks, John and list members
> 
> House has 200 amp service. Service comes into the garage. There is a large (coupla feet tall) load center (breaker panel) there for half of the house filled with breakers. Then there is another large panel in the basement (same size, coupla feet tall) which is fed from the one in the garage nearly all full. This has the other half the house on it. Service was installed around 2000 and the wiring is mostly new. Although the wiring in the shack is probably from 1962 when the old part of the house was built. Then about half the house was added in 2000 with new wire. 
> 
> I suspected the main feed from the pole was undersized for this reason... Although the well pump is connected to the panel in the basement, lights connected to the main panel in the garage still dim for a split second when the pump kicks on/off. Well pump is brand new (2 wire, not 3 wire) about 4 months old. So it makes me think that the load is causing a voltage drop at the main panel, probably due to undersized cable from the pole. 
> 
> What kind of current can your sola's handle? 
> 
> Several folks mentioned the sola ferroresonant CVT type products. Here is a link from list member W4AMW:
> http://www.solaheviduty.com/products/powerconditioning/cvs.htm
> 
> Sounds like I might need to find a local electrical engineer, not just an electrician to help figure this one out (there goes the $$$ !) 
> 
> Thanks to everyone. I now have some very good avenues to explore
> Eugene

Eugene,

Since there was work done on the installation that recently, you might 
want to have an electrician come in and tighten down all of the clamp 
screws in those panels. They can work loose due to thermal expansion and 
contraction from heating up and cooling down over time. You might even 
find one that would do it for a six pack of his favorite brew. Just 
don't give him the drinks before he finishes with the panels.

What size are the main breaker pair on top of that panel in the garage? 
That is determined by the size wire coming from the power company. 200 
amps is the minimum service for a modern all electric house. If you use 
natural gas or propane for heat, cooking and hot water, it may be 
adequate. But if you use electricity for any or all of those three, you 
are probably underpowered. Add an electric washer and dryer, a couple of 
computers or transmitters and you will see those mini-brownouts 
occasionally. Air conditioners and the water pump are just extra added 
surge loads. You might consider switching some appliances over to gas 
the next time they need to be replaced.

My next question is what size are the breakers in the garage that feed 
into the basement? Is the main breaker pair in the basement the same 
size? They are probably set for the size of cable between them, and that 
would have to be upgraded to increase the current into the house. That 
is the second most likely bottleneck from your description.

You can find lots of different UPS capabilities if you look around. I 
have a pair of APC SmartUPS 1400 for my computer room. They'll each put 
out a steady 20 amps for a few minutes even with no power. Usually that 
gives me enough time to shut down all of my servers.

Check with your power company. They may have a free service to inspect 
your house wiring for safety. After that inspection, they can tell you 
whether you need a bigger service, or a simple upgrade to a new pump or 
other more energy efficient appliances.

Good luck,

Bob McConnell
N2SPP