what is the problem when someones lights from inside the house go faint when they turn something on?

Question

also when their ac keeps trippn the breaker?

Answer 1

You have too many items on the same breaker. Remember the amount of amps each lamp, over head light, TV etc. will pull a certain amount of amps. This would be your cause of the lights going faint. This can become serious have your breaker boxed serviced.
The AC. is tripping the breaker due to a old breaker and needs replaced. So call your neighborhood electrical contractor and have him replace the bad breaker and service the box while he is there.

Answer 2

Dimming lights are a sign of low voltage. When an AC kicks in, a very short dimming of the lights is normal for most houses. Inrush current. If they stay dim while the unit is running, you have a low voltage problem. The guy who wants you to install a larger service doesn't know much about electricity. Voltage is the problem, not amperage. If you were pulling to many amps for that service, the main breaker would trip or the fuse would blow. The most common problem with low voltage is poor connections. All services bring in the same 240/120 volts. I doesn't matter if they are 60 amps or 200 amps. I know you are a beginning electrician so you can handle checking this out with your volt meter. Check the voltages in the panel. Check for voltage drop on a main breaker by putting one lead on the incoming line and the other on the buss bar. Any voltage reading indicates a poor connection. You should read 0 across a connection or breaker. Do the same with the branch breakers. Measure the voltage at the AC disconnect with the AC running and not running. If the voltage is low, the AC will pull more amps which could trip the breaker. Also look at wire size on the AC to make sure it is correct for the load and distance. Also check the amp draw on the AC compressor to see if it is what is listed on the name plate. A compressor or capacitor could be going bad. Check your incoming voltage ahead of the main with the AC running and not running. Look for bad connections. Pull the branch circuit breakers off the buss and re-seat them. If you see a problem with the service entrance conductors voltage, call the power company to check the meter stabs and socket connections. Just think about the electric theory you are learning and apply it to your trouble shooting. Tip: I often find problems with connections outside or in the basement in that order. Good luck and email if you need more advice.

Good luck on your electrical career. It has been a great trade for me for many years. Welcome to the world of real electricians.

Answer 3

d. all of the above.

But Nelson please consider having a sparky to check out the wiring. . . a frayed, old or overloaded wire is also a safety hazard. But sure have the heavy duty appliance on their own breakers.

When you are browning {read lights dimming} the electricity is being diverted. Overheating can result.

My meter was spinning out of control this summer . . . nothing was on but the water heater and the refrigerator. I unplugged the fridge . . . the meter sllloooooowwwwed waaaayyyy down .. . the plug was old and allow too much power to be run through . . . not neccessarily through the fridge. Remember this is A/C Alternating Current . . . . . and I was Paying !!!! replace plug . . . cut $20 from the electric bill . . . .

Answer 4

There is one of 2 problems either you have something wired in series (not likely unless you have an old house with knob & Tube wiring) or you have lost your ground in your electrical system.

Answer 5

circuits are overloaded. upgrade to a higher panel, such as 100 or 200 amp.

Answer 6

Too many things on one circuit ...or you need to upgrade to a bigger main box

Answer 7

too much power....a/c and refrigerators use enormous energy.