What could be causing these power surges?

Question

We've been having a lot of power surges lately in our home. It has messed up my computer twice, even though I have a surge protector. Luckily my husband knows how to fix it when it does. The first time it actually fried my power supply. It seems to be happening at least once a day, sometimes at night... Sometimes several times a day. We're not pulling that much power. We live in a split level type duplex (with family) and our family that lives in the other half is out of town...so no power pulling from there... And we just have a couple lights on, usually, and sometimes one or both computers. That's about it other than the normal stuff that runs all the time...Like fridge, clocks, and small things.

It has never done this before and has been happening a lot lately. I don't know if this might have anything to do with it... but it has been raining here where I live almost every day almost all summer...no kidding!

If anyone knows what the problem could be, please let me know!

Answer 1

Could be lightning pulses on the power line.
You might look into having a heavy duty surge protector
installed at your electrical service.
(It goes on the line side, so NOT DYI for hubbie.)

BTW. If the first instance fried your power supply
through your surge protector, the S.P. is probably
fried as well.

It's a very long shot, but has your fridge been
sounding odd?
There is a capacitor start motor in there.

Answer 2

Lights dimming usually indicates a large current draw on the supply line.
This can usually be traced to an individual circuit, load or a combination of the two. A load is anything that requires electricity to operate. A circuit is a complete path for current to flow.
It sounds like you have an overloaded circuit that requires certain loads to be on in order for the condition to occur (dim lights).

The best way to find it is to get a qualified Electrician.

If not you can find it with good reasoning skills.

First what has changed recently, preferably when you noticed the problem, have you added lamps computers or any new electrical appliances.
Look for a combination of loads causing the problem. (ex. Stove, toaster and oven on and the lights dim when the washer starts).

Notice whats on in the house and garage when the lights dim. Write it down. Did the air conditioner turn on? did someone switch on a light or start the microwave?

Water heaters and well motors are also high current sources to be aware of.


If you are reasonably assured that the problem in not a load or circuit (air conditioner dryer, etc) problem. Call the Electric company and have them check their lines.