140 V between live and neutral instead of the usual 230 V

[farmer]

Hi lads, yesterday morning there was a fault with the incoming electricity supply in that there was only 140 V between live and neutral instead of the usual 230 V.
Could anyone provide me with an explanation for this?

Thanks

 

[Octopus]

Neutral fault.....

 

[SparkyChick]

Seen something similar with a bad neutral from an overhead supply.

 

[7029 dave]

Neutral fault

 

[farmer]

I should add that the fault was in the area.
Could any of you expand on neutral fault please?

 

[PEG]

Hi,how was that voltage measured?

 

[assegayer]

The neutral from the supply either has not been terminated properly/ loose connection therefore in a normal circuit if there is no return then the neutral can potentially become live so as in your situation the neutral has about 90 volts on it potential difference.

I had the same problem about a month ago a client complained the power had gone out to there house and the cooker was making a funny noise when turned on. Got there measured between line and neutral and got 150V, after asking them they said the DNO had been drilling outside couple of months ago to sort a problem out.

 

[farmer]

Hi,how was that voltage measured?

With my Fluke T130 (I think) poked into a socket.

 

[Andy-1960]

The REC may have lost a phase on the primary of their distribution transformer. This could result in the sort of voltage you are getting.

 

[Midwest]

Presumably somebody rung the DNO?

 

[DPG]

Yeah, if this was on themain incomer, you HAVE reported this haven't you?

 

[PEG]

I think the OP was going to ring them after he got a brew on...

 

[Dave OCD]

Probably still waiting for the kettle to boil.

 

[DPG]

Connect kettle element between incoming live and an earth rod in the front garden.
I was going to make a joke about making a ground coffee but I won't.

 

[Anthony_wayne]

You may also find this in the future between line and Cpcs, often when there is part of the cpc missing or loose.

 

[dmxtothemax]

Like Andy said in post 9.
A missing or low phase on the primary side of a transformer can produce some pretty strange voltages on the secondary side.
This is the most likely cause of your low voltage.

 

[Wilko]

Connect kettle element between incoming live and an earth rod in the front garden.
I was going to make a joke about making a ground coffee but I won't.

If the rod was anywhere near the septic the coffee might taste funny ...