SeekingInfo
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- Sep 26, 2008
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I have an intermittent electical problem (the worst kind). Periodically, some of my appliances (furnace, ovens) that are controlled by micro-controllers malfunction, frequently displaying error codes on the displays. I usually have to break the circuit at the breaker box until I need to use them.
The other day I noticed that all was quiet again with these systems. This will occasionally happen, frequently after a storm of some kind where the electric company has had to restore power. Then gradually things get worse, and light bulbs start to burn out quickly, appliances freak out, etc.
Furthermore I noticed that at this same time, my television clock, which normally gains about a minute every 2-3 days, is keeping perfect time now.
So I'm guessing that the electric company is supplying me with voltage that is too high during the times that my controllers freak out and clocks gain time and light bulbs burn out quickly.
I've read about whole house voltage regulators, which is what I suspect I need. I am thinking that a whole house surge suppressor would not work, because from what I've read, they vary in how low they will keep the voltage, but good ones keep it to 300 volts, and I'm suspicious that that is way too high.
I know next to nothing about electricity. When I've had repairmen out to look at this problem, they look at the malfunctioning appliances and say those need to be replaced. But that is not a plan. I can't afford to replace several appliances 2 or 3 times a year each, which is what I would be doing on that plan.
Should an electrician be able to measure the voltage coming into the house to determine if it is too high? Should an electrician be able to determine if a whole-house voltage regulator would solve this problem? Is this a routine problem, or am I going to have to go through lots of electricians to find one who really knows how to fix this?
The other day I noticed that all was quiet again with these systems. This will occasionally happen, frequently after a storm of some kind where the electric company has had to restore power. Then gradually things get worse, and light bulbs start to burn out quickly, appliances freak out, etc.
Furthermore I noticed that at this same time, my television clock, which normally gains about a minute every 2-3 days, is keeping perfect time now.
So I'm guessing that the electric company is supplying me with voltage that is too high during the times that my controllers freak out and clocks gain time and light bulbs burn out quickly.
I've read about whole house voltage regulators, which is what I suspect I need. I am thinking that a whole house surge suppressor would not work, because from what I've read, they vary in how low they will keep the voltage, but good ones keep it to 300 volts, and I'm suspicious that that is way too high.
I know next to nothing about electricity. When I've had repairmen out to look at this problem, they look at the malfunctioning appliances and say those need to be replaced. But that is not a plan. I can't afford to replace several appliances 2 or 3 times a year each, which is what I would be doing on that plan.
Should an electrician be able to measure the voltage coming into the house to determine if it is too high? Should an electrician be able to determine if a whole-house voltage regulator would solve this problem? Is this a routine problem, or am I going to have to go through lots of electricians to find one who really knows how to fix this?