Any electricians? Question about my apartment electricity supply

[sohcrates]

Hey, long shot, but wondering if anyone has any ideas

I live in an apartment building, and lately, my lights have been blinking on and off randomly.

Also, sometimes the lights fade, and then brighten a minute later.

Also, my computer battery backup makes a noise to indicate a loss of power, sometimes my tv loses power, and sometimes the microwave freaks out, all at the same time that the lights blink

The problem is, when the property manager comes over during the day and turns all the lights on, nothing happens (at least, when he's there). It's random, but it happens almost constantly when i'm home in the morning or at night....i can't figure it out!


what could be doing this? It's really pissing me off, because electronics hate not having 120volts!

it's almost like when you plug something huge in, and the power dims for a second...except it happens all the time

anyway, they won't fix it unless they say i can prove it's really happening...so i've been keeping a log of what happens and when

do i share power with my neighbors and are they causing this? apparently, other apartments haven't complained...and each apartment is individually metered for electricity...
thanks

 

[Scarpozzi]

Most of the time, the power company won't generate as much electricity at night. If they are cutting their generators down (however they're powered) at night, they may not have compensated enough for the area in which you live. This should be a global problem with your whole block and other apts should be the same if they any substantial power usage on thier circuits. Call the power company and complain about your service. They'll at least have to look into it if you open a trouble ticket. Just exaggerate when you call.

 

[sohcrates]

interesting..i'll have to call the power company then. good idea....i know i pay them enough every month that i should get some support...

 

[przero]

All the lights flicker? Any relation to hot water usage?(i.e. is the water heater under full load?) Any A/C or heat on?

 

[floccus]

How old is the building... wiring might be failing at the distribution relays. That and see if others are having those problems too.

 

[rival]

if you are havin problems, others are too, call the power co and have them look into it..i believe they can setup a machine on the incoming line to read the voltage to make sure its not spiking

 

[dmcowen674]

Have your circuits checked under load, it sounds dangerous too.

Make sure you have a working battery operated Smoke Detector and Renters Insurance.

 

[sohcrates]

1) building is only about 4 months old (basically brand new)

2) it seems to be only my unit which is having this problem

3) lights blink when only lights are on, and they also blink when fridge turns on, etc.....but the key is i don't need to have hot water heater or any other appliance on for them to blink

4) lights not only blink, but they "dim" for about a minute or two...then brighten again

5) i've got renters insurance


if it's just my apartment, will the power company come out and check it?

 

[J0hnny]

Well, for one thing, I'd definately put a Voltage Regulator for my comp (I use that now in my apartment cuz I get the same problems). Hmm, new apartment, which means new wiring...I don't see why there would be a problem unless there is a huge current draw somewhere. Locate it and disconnect it from your power and see if that solves the problem. What is your electric bill like? What is the wiring gauge and fuse/ circuit breaker size?

 

[sohcrates]

don't know of a huge current draw. have my own fridge, water heater and gas heater, but they're all natural gas, not electric. don't even turn my comp on anymore (just use laptop).....

electric bill is pretty reasonable, like 25-30 bucks a month.

not sure what type of circuit breakers i have, would have to check

 

[J0hnny]

Okay, check the wattage of your microwave, toaster, frig, etc. Then divide the wattage by the 120Volts and that gives you the current draw. Now think about how you would use these in conjunction. Make sure you are not drawing too much current. It is a large current draw that would make lights dim if it's only your apartment with the problem. Of course the problem could be something with your breaker, but you have to have an electrician look at it.

 

[sohcrates]

Originally posted by: J0hnny
Okay, check the wattage of your microwave, toaster, frig, etc. Then divide the wattage by the 120Volts and that gives you the current draw. Now think about how you would use these in conjunction. Make sure you are not drawing too much current. It is a large current draw that would make lights dim if it's only your apartment with the problem. Of course the problem could be something with your breaker, but you have to have an electrician look at it.

i will look into your suggestion, but 2 things

1) i didn't not have this problem for the first 3 months....only in the last month has it happened...and i haven't gotten anything new except a new tv

2) the lights will blink when only, for instance, the bathroom lights are on. NOTHING else in the apartment is on (no tv, no other lights, no microwave, nothing), just the bathroom lights, and they still dim and blink


sounds like i should maybe get the electric company to monitor the voltage coming into my apt....seems to me that it's NOT 120....or if it is, the current is super low or something

 

[Thegonagle]

Don't assume that there's not a wiring problem because the building is new. First, have the power company check it out. Then, if they find nothing wrong on their side of the meter, uze yr mad-good peeple skillz to see if you can get the power company to lean on the manager a little to get an electrician to check out the wiring on your side of the meter. If a voltage drop is occuring within your unit's wiring, it's a big safety cocern.

 

[J0hnny]

Man, it would suck to have internal wiring problems. Walls would have to ripped to fix that kinda thing sometimes!

 

[Thegonagle]

Originally posted by: J0hnny
Man, it would suck to have internal wiring problems. Walls would have to ripped to fix that kinda thing sometimes!

True, but it's more likely to be a loose connection in a box or behind the fuse panel.

 

[woowoo]

Kill the power in your fuse box
tighten all connections.
They will work loose with time