Power surge questions--appliance failures related to power surge?

[annr]

Earlier in the week, we experienced some fluctuations in the electric service to the house, including 2 power failures. In the next 24 hours, 3 appliances malfunctioned/died and need replacement. I am wondering if there is a correlation between the power failures and appliance loss. Any information would be appreciated.

We lost:
--the microwave (a replacement was on order, so this is only an inconvenience)
--the washer and dryer (both were off at the time, but plugged in into a surge protecting outlet)

 

[yoda4561]

If they're running at the time (as in the dryer drying and the washing machine washing) a low voltage condition where the power isn't completely out lasting more than a second can cause the motors to draw excess current and overheat/burn out that way. There are also sometimes power surges/voltage fluctuations if a transformer outside fails or building grounding is bad. Alot of newer appliances also have some relatively delicate computerized controls in them nowdays that might fail when exposed to those conditions even when not drawing a motor load.

 

[OHALLUM]

As Yoda pointed out above, the sensitive circuits in some appliances could fail under low voltage conditions. Low voltages are often worse on some things than a small spike in voltage. By he way, your homeowner's insurance should cover your loss from electrical storms. My air conditioning unit was hit by lightening about 2 years ago, and my insurance paid for a new one. (less the $1000 deductible). Good luck.

Blessings,

Omar

 

[Gollnick]

Earlier in the week, we experienced some fluctuations in the electric service to the house, including 2 power failures. In the next 24 hours, 3 appliances malfunctioned/died and need replacement. I am wondering if there is a correlation between the power failures and appliance loss.

Speaking as an electrical engineer, I would say that that is suspicious indeed. If one appliance had failed, I would suspect coincidence. But three? No. I suspect that you experienced some serious over-voltage events, a.k.a. "surges."

Appliances such as microwave ovens and washer/dryers that have touch-panels or displays are always "on." They may not be running, but they are on and susceptible to damage from over-voltage events.

A few weeks ago, a car hit a pole just outside of Sherwood, Oregon where I live. The pole should not have fallen, but it did. And when it did, a 50KV distribution line fell physically onto a 5KV primary distribution line. As a result, secondary distribution which should be 240V. Some friends of mine down the street lost their microwave, washer, dryer, furnace, and all GFCI outlets in the house.

In my own house, two surge-protector devices ended up faulted.

Contact your electric company. They should pay for your losses.

 

[annr]

Appliances such as microwave ovens and washer/dryers that have touch-panels or displays are always "on." They may not be running, but they are on and susceptible to damage from over-voltage events.

A few weeks ago, a car hit a pole just outside of Sherwood, Oregon where I live. The pole should not have fallen, but it did. And when it did, a 50KV distribution line fell physically onto a 5KV primary distribution line. As a result, secondary distribution which should be 240V. Some friends of mine down the street lost their microwave, washer, dryer, furnace, and all GFCI outlets in the house.

In my own house, two surge-protector devices ended up faulted.

Contact your electric company. They should pay for your losses.

I don't know if this changes your probability calculations, but neither the washer nor dryer had a touch control panel.
The washer is 25 years old and has a metal knob to turn and push in and out to start the machine. The washer made a burning smell, and the water never drained even though the load finished according to the position of the knob.

The dryer is 15+ years old and has a knob with some indicators that light up when the knob is pointing at that setting. The dryer worked, but did not heat up.

I can look into seeking compensation from the power company, but I looked online and there was a nearby town where a fellow tried to sue NSTAR for this type of thing, and he didn't get anywhere. Also, I don't know what they would give for a 25 year old dryer!

There are a few things that are on my mind now: am I doing everything possible to avoid this problem? Or what should I be doing?

AND/OR could this be related to the upgrade to our electrical service that was done in the last year? In other words, could any of this be due to a problem with the electricians work? and do I need to get that checked?

 

[Bufford]

Take a close look at the grounding connections on the main pannel. check that the connections are tight both at the pannel and on the grounding rod outside of the house. Check to see that the grounding rod is going into damp soil. Sometimes people will add on or build a deck over the ground rod leaving the soil too dry to ground properly, and this conditions will lead to burn outs and GFI outlets that will not reset.

If you suspect the ground rod is insufficient, then drive in extra ones. Check grounding cable that is attached to the water supply pipe, it too needs to be tight, as this serves as a secondary ground source.

 

[Gollnick]

I don't know if this changes your probability calculations, but neither the washer nor dryer had a touch control panel.
The washer is 25 years old and has a metal knob to turn and push in and out to start the machine. The washer made a burning smell, and the water never drained even though the load finished according to the position of the knob.

If one or the other went out at the same time you had noticeable fluctuations, I'd say coincidence. But both? No. The pump was burned up on the washer and either the element or the control on the dryer.

... am I doing everything possible to avoid this problem? Or what should I be doing?

Install a surge protector in side of your load center (breaker panel). This depends on the make and model of your panel, but you say you recently had it re-done and most modern panels have surge protectors available.

Then, use surge-protector strips or single-device protectors on anything valuable

AND/OR could this be related to the upgrade to our electrical service that was done in the last year? In other words, could any of this be due to a problem with the electricians work? and do I need to get that checked?

It could very well be related. What did you have done?

 

[Gollnick]

Take a close look at the grounding connections on the main pannel. check that the connections are tight both at the pannel and on the grounding rod outside of the house. Check to see that the grounding rod is going into damp soil. .

This is good advice.