Loss of Neutral & Quality of Grounding Electrode System

[jar546]

Has anyone ever had a situation where there was a loss of neutral at the main disconnect or meter base and no one noticed any problems in the house? Most, if not all loss of neutral issues in these area are automatically picked up by the homeowner as the GES has significantly more resistance to the POCO transformer than the neutral which is tied in directly.

In the past as an electrician and as an inspector who fields calls from people and speaks with other electricians, I have no stories about a loss of neutral to a structure that did NOT result in immediate problems noticed in the home.

Maybe Bryan can enlighten us on this issue since it is one of his specialty areas.

 

[raider1]

In older homes with copper water supply lines that were used as the grounding electrode, there were issues. If the water meter was not installed with dielectric fittings the water line would be electrically connected to the utility water main and therefore directly connected to the home next door. When the neutral in the service was lost the neutral current would flow through the water line to the next door electrical service and back to the transformer. This was a lower impedance then through the earth and would allow the house electrical system to function without the normal tell-tale sings of a lost neutral.

There have been cases of water department personnel being shocked when they opened up one of the water lines.

Chris

 

[jar546]

In older homes with copper water supply lines that were used as the grounding electrode, there were issues. If the water meter was not installed with dielectric fittings the water line would be electrically connected to the utility water main and therefore directly connected to the home next door. When the neutral in the service was lost the neutral current would flow through the water line to the next door electrical service and back to the transformer. This was a lower impedance then through the earth and would allow the house electrical system to function without the normal tell-tale sings of a lost neutral.There have been cases of water department personnel being shocked when they opened up one of the water lines.

Chris

Great info, thanks!