electrical question
I think I already know the answer but here goes. I inherited the old family farm some years ago. One of the buildings was the origional house--only 24' X 16'. Over the years it was converted to a hen house and then to a machine shed. I'm in the process of making it into a hobby space for the wife (back to a "hen house"!). I've set up a 240V 20 amp main breaker and split that into two 120V circuits. Now the question: If either of these circuits exceeds 20 amps, the breaker will trip; right?, killing both circuits. The 200 amp 240V service that most of us have is really 400 amp, ie., 200 amps on each "leg" of the 240 volts? BTW: This old building is lathe and plaster, full 2" x 4" rough-cut studs on random spacing, and put together with the old square nails.
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I installed a GFI on a 2 wire circuit. Ran jumper from white neutral to green ground screw. Test light shows it is wired correctly. Push test button and it trips like it is supposed to. Next outlet on the circuit also has jumper from white neutral to green ground screw. Tester shows it is wired properly. It, however will not trip the GFI when you push the test button on the tester. Second outlet is wired to load side of the GFI that is in front of it on the circit like it is supposed to be. I have done this before and it worked fine. Yes I know this is cheating but it is not practical to run a new 3 wire line underground to this small garage. What am I missing? I have installed a GFI using only 2 wires in the past and it worked without the jumper. Had to mark the outlet as not having an equipmen ground. The new GFI's will not work this way. 0 -
Get a hand saw. Drink a beer . 0 -
Measure from each leg to neutral or ground in the panel. 120 v.
Measure leg to leg. 240 v.
you could of dropped a main leg and even though you are getting 120 volts on all legs, the voltage is feeding thru a 240 volt breaker, thru motor windings, and appearing as though you have full voltage.0 -
Open neutral. I've seen buried cable do that a lot of times. Could also be a bad connection in your meter base or panel, if you're lucky. This problem will "fry" your electronics, by the way. 0 -
what I am thinking also
I see a lot of digging in my near future [:(][:(]
I have it disconnected , I learned a long time ago don't like being shocked
quote:Originally posted by grdad45
Open neutral. I've seen buried cable do that a lot of times. Could also be a bad connection in your meter base or panel, if you're lucky. This problem will "fry" your electronics, by the way.0 -
thanks I did check that last night
240 to the panel each leg showing 120
quote:Originally posted by Chief Shaway
Measure from each leg to neutral or ground in the panel. 120 v.
Measure leg to leg. 240 v.
you could of dropped a main leg and even though you are getting 120 volts on all legs, the voltage is feeding thru a 240 volt breaker, thru motor windings, and appearing as though you have full voltage.0 -
ok on the beer [^]
generator if I get desperate to saw [:D]
quote:Originally posted by select-fire
Get a hand saw. Drink a beer .0 -
quote:Originally posted by Ditch-Runner
what I am thinking also
I see a lot of digging in my near future [:(][:(]
I have it disconnected , I learned a long time ago don't like being shocked
quote:Originally posted by grdad45
Open neutral. I've seen buried cable do that a lot of times. Could also be a bad connection in your meter base or panel, if you're lucky. This problem will "fry" your electronics, by the way.
When our underground line coming into the meter failed the power company was responsible for digging it up and repairing. Hopefully it's the same where your at. They did supply a nice transformer at the meter to get us up and running while we waited for them to get the underground line fixed.0 -
Just feeds pole barn about 240 feet of 2-2-4 cable
On me ..about 25 years since I did it about 24 to 30 inches deep direct bury cable if I have to replace will run same type of wire but in conduit
if it was the house I am sure the power company would do it it's also buried0 -
Just a thought - if you put in a new run in conduit, instead of using cable rated for direct burial (UF) use individual wires. You'll find the same size wire is rated for a higher current carry if you do it that way. I like to lay the wires out next to the trench, then slip the sections of conduit over the wires as I go. Easier than a pull wire or rope. 0 -
Yes, a 240 foot run is a long pull. Install a 1/4? nylon rope to pull the wire in. There is a wire pulling lube called Yellow 77 that will make it easier. 0 -
Run a 240 saw!
Isn't there anyway he can get a neutral local at his shop without pulling a new wire 240 feet? How about a 2:1 transformer and a ground?0 -
i would go with a loose connection, voltage and current two different things 0 -
quote:Originally posted by Ditch-Runner
if I put a meter I get a reading of 120 volts on both legs of a 220 panel
If I put a load on the line like plunging in a saw have tried several so I know its not the saw the voltage will drop to zero or just a few volts no load 120 volts again .
I think I lost neutral maybe a break or a weak section in the line ? its a burred cable
any thoughts
rude comments or good advice all welcome [^]
Maybe try grabbing one line in each hand and see if you get the same result.0 -
thats what neighbors are for [}:)]
quote:Originally posted by Mr. Perfect
quote:Originally posted by Ditch-Runner
if I put a meter I get a reading of 120 volts on both legs of a 220 panel
If I put a load on the line like plunging in a saw have tried several so I know its not the saw the voltage will drop to zero or just a few volts no load 120 volts again .
I think I lost neutral maybe a break or a weak section in the line ? its a burred cable
any thoughts
rude comments or good advice all welcome [^]
Maybe try grabbing one line in each hand and see if you get the same result.0 -
Test it with a megohmmeter.
It will tell you for sure.0 -
thanks guys
I dug up several sections I thought have been compromised one where my wife and kid cut it with a shovel 20+ some odd years ago but all the connections and repairs were good ( lucky day for both it took a chunk out of the shovel when they chopped thru all three lines at the same time )
I am renting a trencher Thursday night until Friday morning rain or shine I making a trench [:D]
I am also picking up conduit tomorrow ( I had already bought the wire ) decided to just replace it from the box to the breaker box in the garage start over stop chasing my tail adding a 1/4 nylon rope into the conduit that I hope I never need [;)]
quote:Originally posted by Chief Shaway
Test it with a megohmmeter.
It will tell you for sure.0 -
When I pulled in new wire to my shop i pulled in a coax wire , phone wire , and speaker wire along with the electric wire in the conduit. I only had to go up one size on the conduit to get it all in. Just saying .... 0
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