Wiring of old house, ideas on why the lights brownout (dim) Could the well pump be the problem or what?

Question

My wife and I just bought a house. It was built in 1930.....it has central ac/heat. It has has a breaker box (not fuses), but is a pretty small box.


Problem: the lights dim back and forth mainly when the well pump kicks on. Is this most likely the wiring or the pump making this happen. When I kick the ac on it dims alittle, but only when it is kicking on. Somebody told me that is could be the "point box" on the pump (needs to be changed) Could this be the problem.

I don't want our house to burn down, is the lights dimming on and off a signal that the wiring could be problematic?

Thanks for the help in advance

Answer 1

You are on the right track.
I think the real problem is that your house still has knob and tube wiring. It is very dangerous and needs to be replaced. It is a big expense, probably 3-5 thousand depending on variables like plaster walls and baseboard mouldings.
Most people just changed out the fuses with circuit breakers, the house gets sold, and then people like you who only know that fuses are bad, think everything is ok.
Call an electrician today for a free estimate, and confirm this. It is serious.

Answer 2

Could be a few things like others have stated. You should definately have the pump on its own circuit. Even though you have a breaker box it might not have enough power to run everything you are trying to you might need the city to run more power from the main pole. It's possible you have more power and you just need to add new circuits . Either way hire a licensed electrician to come in and check it out for you. they can balance the load or add more breakers. If breakers are needed this must all be done to code so a professional is the way to go.

Answer 3

There could be a number of problems that create this drop in amperage..The panel could be improperly balanced ( 220 breaker lagged on the same side as another 220 breaker) or the pressure valve points may be wearing at the pump, someone may have double stabbed a 110 lighting or receptacle run on one of the 220 breakers and so on. The pump depending on age may be straining, pulling what ever juice it needs to operate. The house (Elec.., plumbing, sewage, etc.) should have been inspected prior to buying it. If not, get an ELECTRICAL INSPECTION and see if it needs UPGRADING to a new 200 amp panel, rewiring and new breakers.

Answer 4

I would put the water pump on it's own circuit. Make sure your breaker box is rated for at least 100amp service. Most major appliances get put on their own circuit. My house was also built in the early 30's had the same problem. Pump kicks on the lights dim for a moment. Put the pump on its own and things got better.

Answer 5

My mom's house was built in 1939 by my grandparents and they had the same problem in the early 80's ,when they turned their garage into an apartment for me . I had a hifi system a mini fridge and a few other electric items going . So my grandfather had the electrician upgrade the breaker box , so it would support the extra power being drawn from it .You also need to see if your breaker box has been grounded , most houses back then were not grounded .

Answer 6

Could be your holding tank is water logged. It should be drained several times a year:

1. Unplug electricity to pump
2. Drain lines...open house and garden faucets especially one lower than the pump (if there is one)
3. Close valve next to the tank
4. Replug electricity, pressure will build naturally and will shut off when gauge is 65 or 70 psi. Sometimes a air compressor is needed to speed this up. We use a small electric one.
5. Open valve next to tank
6. Shut faucets opened in #2

Answer 7

wiring house ideas lights brownout dim pump problem

Answer 8

Voltage drops when the pump or A/C kicks on.

Sounds like you need a service upgrade. Bigger service entrance conductors might help, but not always.