Help! The power in my house is doing strange things

[Beaverhausen]

Earlier today my boyfriend, who was home, said there was what he thought a power surge and most of the lights and appliances went off. He reset the fuses and all went back on except the dryer and the lights in the refrig. The refrig does still work though.

Just now the power sort of dimmed for about 15 minutes then it came back up. The computer didn't go off but the lamp right here dimmed, then got bright again.

Anyone have any idea what might be causing this?

[Beaverhausen]

1. Oh- and the dryer, which was on during the first surge, now won't start

[boilerbabe]

8. Might be a fuse or circuit that needs replacement, depending

on how your system is set up. You might want to get a qualified electrician with tester in to see if you need to replace a breaker or something. If you have those old crystal fuses, you can pretty much tell if they are shot by taking them out and looking at them. They will look like a spent light bulb or fuse in your car--burnt in the middle.

You will need a continuity or electrical tester for the newer circuit breakers, though. I don't recommend that you mess with that stuff on your own--could be dangerous, so do get a friend that has the right equipement and can do this testing safely--because you may have to shut down your main electricity to replace a circuit breaker!!

[Swede]

2. Poltergeists. Gremlins.

If that ain't it,I would say your power company is having surge problems. This can cause damage to your appliances,so if anything blows call your insurance and tell them about the power problems.

[Beaverhausen]

3. None of our neighbors was affected. But I might know what it is

I am now noticing that the refrigerator seems to be causing the lights dimming and brightening. When the condenser kicks on, the lights dim. When it shuts off, they get bright.

Oy- time to get a new refrig I guess.

[Swede]

4. Well then,that's poltergeists or gremlins.

Fridges are expensive damn things,aren't they?

[boilerbabe]

9. Maybe so, but it sounds like you have too many things

on the same circuit, it just took some time to find that out. been there and am still there, because I cannot afford to upgrade my system!

[Beaverhausen]

10. but this just started happening. Now lights are dimming and brightening all over the house

I think it is poltergeists!!!

No, it's definitely the refrig.

[Whoa_Nelly]

5. You have fuses?

or breaker switches?

[Beaverhausen]

7. breaker switches

[boilerbabe]

6. You have too many things connected to the same circuit

We have the same prob here. Almost all of our outlets are connected to the same breaker, so when my brother microwaves something, I will be upstairs and my lights will dim. This is common especially in an older house. Haven't figured out how to remedy it, unless a total rewiring, sorry!!

Look at your breaker box (hopefully it is not those old fashioned fuse thingys) and hopefully it is labeled. You might have to consult an electrician to maybe separate the circuits. That is something that I will have to deal with after the other twenty-million things that beset the homeowner--like later, later, later...

The best thing to do in the meantime is to not have too many things connected and running at the same time. It's not easy, but can be done.

[two gun sid]

11. I think you've found your problem. It's your refrigerator.

[snailly]

12. Ghosts and gremlins

Fairies and whatnots. hmmm