DIYbanter - View Single Post - Blew another damn transformer on my Trane XB80

David Nebenzahl

On 4/9/2011 2:42 PM spake thus:

On Sat, 9 Apr 2011 06:53:25 -0700, "Bill"
wrote:

A neutral in a breaker box could have a loose connection. These
connections can heat up and cool down as more/less electricity is
used on the panel in question. And there may be a point where the
connection fails momentarily or arcs. Then if you lose the neutral
connection, 120 volt circuits become 240 volt circuits via other
circuits turned on in the panel on the other leg.

The solution to that problem is usually to have the electric
company or electrician retorque the main panel lug nuts to the
panel manufacturers tightness specifications in inch lbs. Note
POWER IS ALWAYS HOT TO THESE CONNECTIONS and this is NOT a DIY
thing!

A similar problem can be with what is called a MWBC or Multi-Wire
Branch Circuit. These are 2 separate 120 V circuits run to the same
area that share one neutral wire. So 2 hots and 1 neutral coming
from the breaker panel. A loose neutral connection with that one
wire and same problem.

MWBC is not legal for a furnace and never has been (at least in
Canada) and a main panel neutral problem should have manifested
iteself with light bulbs flaring/dimming or other indications of
"wonky" voltage elsewhere in the house.

I agree. Suggesting that the OP's problem is due to a buggy Edison
circuit (and why don't they just call them that, since that's what
everyone else calls 'em?) is just grasping at straws. Possible, sure,
but highly unlikely.

--
The current state of literacy in our advanced civilization:

yo
wassup
nuttin
wan2 hang
k
where
here
k
l8tr
by

- from Usenet (what's *that*?)