I have a mobile home that has a set of breakers/breaker box on each half of the house.
At first the electricity on both halves was working fine. But now there's a problem with one side. The power output on the problemed side is a lot weaker than the other half.
Some lights from different rooms on the problem side aren't working. And when they do work- they grow dim,very weak or will not work at all when another light in a different room from that same side of the house is turned on.
What could be the cause?
For example, in the rest room on the bad side of the house, the lights may be on, but if I plug in and start up a heater in there, the lights get much brighter!
Any help is greatly appreciated.
2007-01-29 11:36:19 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
In a lot of mobile homes they used aluminum wire- over a period of time this wire shrinks or becomes corroded, check to see that the supply leds to the breaker panel are tight and not corroded- remember - electricity kills. If you don't feel good about it- chances are - you shouldn't be doing it.
2007-01-29 11:41:47 · answer #1 · answered by avengergt 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
First, I would do as answer #1 states, check all of your plugs and light switches for corrosion. You can tell if you have aluminum wires by the color, if it ain't copper color, it is AL.
AL wire does not like a load on it, so when resistance builds up, as with a heater, the wires will wiggle where they are screwed onto the wall plate. That wiggling will actually cause the screws to loosen. About 75% of the AL wiring is installed wrong. When retighting the screws, you should have a tube of an anti-oxidant and coat the wire with that prior to putting in back onto the screw. That will insure the connection, just screwing it on will not work and will make the receptable unsafe.
Check all wall plugs with a three pronged circuit checker which can be bought at electrical houses or places like home depot. Should cost about $10-12. There are three lights on it and if all three lights light up in the right places, then the circuit is installed correctly (except for the anti-oxidant, possibly). Some idiots use switches and wall plates that take push in connectors. If that is the case, get rid of all of them, or make sure that the devices are rated for AL if you have AL.
If everything is OK with the connections, and it might well be, see how much you are drawing from each circuit. Check the amperage you are using. You should not use as much as the circuit breaker states (i.e. 40 amps) because more amperage is used when you turn lights on - the turn on amperage will be higher than the running amps after it is on. So if it is a 40 amp breaker, I would say that you need no more than 35 amps connected to it.
If you have AL, and you might, and they have push ins and are rated for AL, you will see a thing on the device that says ALCU and if AL is not there, take it out and wire it the way I told you to, with antioxidant (noalox is a brand of that, but there are several).
check all breakers for heat - that would mean that you are pushing the breakers on amperage.
2007-01-31 13:27:50 · answer #2 · answered by Polyhistor 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There's a loose connection somewhere in one of the breaker boxes. It's probably a neutral, like the other answers mentioned. Make sure the power is off at the pole before you do anything to it. However, if you can't afford an electrician, get the power off and tighten all of the connections in both breaker boxes. Again, make sure the power is off AT THE POLE or you will find yourself in a world of hurt.
2007-01-29 19:58:20 · answer #3 · answered by John 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have lost a neutral in one of the terminations. Either at a device or fixture. It is very dangerous so have a professional electrician look at it right away. The reason for the change when you plug something in is that whatever you have plugged in is providing a path back to the neutral bar.
2007-01-29 19:46:35 · answer #4 · answered by donald g 1 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I have seen this problem before and found that the main breaker
in your outside can box was rusted.Had a Electrician change it and everything was good,Of course that's only one solution.
I recommend that you get an Electrician to meter test your system and find the problem.As stated above "electricity Kills"
and kills quickly.
Good Luck
2007-01-29 19:49:11 · answer #5 · answered by Lionman 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Call an electrician quick. Sounds like you are about to have a fire. Whatever is using up that power - whether it's corrosion, a dead animal across the wires, or a thin spot - is getting very hot.
2007-01-29 19:44:59 · answer #6 · answered by bobo383 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Id say that problem isnt in your trailer. Its in those PLUG IN'S OUTSIDE Clean those outside plug ins that will fix it. I have a trailer with two outside plugs, one for front and one for back.
In your case since you rent the trailer space call the maintenance man of the trailer court and he will fix this for you.
2007-01-29 22:50:26 · answer #7 · answered by James M 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
after reading your question,i think that you have lost the neutral on one side of your home. I DO NT THINK THAT YOU SHOULD TO TRY &FIX IT YOUR SELF. CALL A ELECTRIAN .
2007-01-29 19:52:05 · answer #8 · answered by bandbhowell 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
loose nuetral , and very dangerous . hire a qualified electrician. dont wait either
2007-01-29 22:19:12 · answer #9 · answered by pahump1@verizon.net 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This could be minor or this could be BAD, VERY BAD.
Call a pro for this one and do it soon.
2007-01-29 19:59:07 · answer #10 · answered by speedgeek 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋