Thread: odd light dimming issue?
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Nate Nagel Nate Nagel is offline
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Default odd light dimming issue?
wrote:
On Sat, 18 Nov 2006 19:10:29 GMT, "Joseph Meehan"
wrote:


N8N wrote:
...

To answer some other posters, the house was built in the late 40's but
currently has a 200A service. And I *am* currently systematically
going through the house replacing all the receptacles, switches, etc.
and rectifying problems as I find them. I just thought it odd that
this would cause dimming on circuits other than the branch circuit
that I was plugged into, seeing as there's that big fatty cable
feeding the main panel.

nate

Good plan. Some heavy draw tools can do it. You may have a marginal
transformer feeding your home. It is not uncommon in older neighborhoods.


Thats what I was thinking....
Also, since its a kitchen outlet, was a refrig running at the same
time?

Not sure. It's on its own circuit, anyway. (one thing that's actually
done right.)


Also, is the same neutral being used for the two circuits that were
invloved? If YES, carefully check that neutral connection.

No, neutral is separate all the way back to the bus in the panel.


Finally, install a completely separate circuit for you workshop tools.
Of course we all know that those portavble tools get used in other
parts of the house too.

"workshop" is a separate building One of the reasons I was attracted
to the place.


One last thought. Is the light that dimmed connected to a dimmer?
Those dimmers are often sensitive to voltage changes, and the "dim
effect" is more noticable than on a common "switch only' circuit. I
have seen this happen.....


Not the one that she was standing under... only dimmer in the house is
in the dining room.

If you got a meter, start watching the voltage in your house. Hook
that meter to the upstairs light, and turn on your power tool in the
same outlet you had it. Have the wife watch the meter, etc....
If your transformer is marginal, ALL lights in the house should dim.
But then too, it depends on what other neighbor houses (on the same
xformer) had running at the time too. They do sell meters that record
voltages, but they are costly.


Mark

yeah, I *used* to have access to a recorder... that would be useful.

nate

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