Power back but low voltage

funnyname

Hi

Power went last night and was off for 9 hours.

Currently only getting 180 volts (checked via zappi charger), lights TV and broadband work but some other electrical items aren't.

Is it just a case of waiting until full power is restored by ESB, are they just running it at lower voltage so people can have essentials on?

Jim_Hodge

It's a matter of waiting until full restoration.

10-10-20

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058383626/power-back-but-low-voltage

If you're getting a low voltage like that, leave everything pulled out as it could be a lost neutral.

rob w

They don't operate the network at a lower voltage. It should be 230v or nothing. Still an issue on the network, report it if you can. As above poster said, some kind of fault/open neutral on the network somewhere. Best not to have your power on at all.

funnyname

Thanks, what's a lost neutral and how can that cause damage?

blackbox

I wouldn't run devices with motors such as the washing machine until you get full voltage. Motors could overheat.

z80CPU

Low voltage here on on apps, and my poor electric heater which is normally more than twice as hot. It's an oil heater with blades. But i've confined myself to one room. In Co SLigo

10-10-20

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122933641#Comment_122933641

It's when the neutral gets disconnected/broken on the network away from the house and the current instead takes a path into ground at your house.

tom1ie

It’s a broken neutral on an LV pole somewhere on the system more than likely.
Report the low voltage as it helps crews locating the issue.

Wearb

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122933824#Comment_122933824

It can be very dangerous because it can cause grounded metal parts to become live, in most installations.

funnyname

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122933865#Comment_122933865

That sounds very serious but why would they still send current down the line, wouldn't it be better practice from the esb to shut it off until it's fixed?

funnyname

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122933704#Comment_122933704

What about a fridge freezer, should that be disconnected?

10-10-20

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122933897#Comment_122933897

Because they won't be aware of the fault, that's why it's important to log it and tell them about the voltage.

10-10-20

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122933913#Comment_122933913

Pretty much.

funnyname

Currently reporting but a wait time of 21 mins

D'oh just as I wrote that I my dropped dropped the connection

funnyname

Reported it online now

drury..

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122933295#Comment_122933295

Ya I always pull the power at main board during outages

Double pole off and wait for confirmed restoration

Antenna

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122948707#Comment_122948707

why not leave the lighting circuits on?

Even if there is an issue with low voltage, it should not be a problem for lighting

And leave a light switched on in the room you are in if you want to immediately know when the power returns!

There is no good in needlessly going around in the dark (which can be the case this time of year before 5PM).

drury..

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122949168#Comment_122949168

Fair point

Probably no harm done

L1011

Anything with a switch mode power supply will probably work fine, that'll be the difference between what is and isn't working - having had this happen once in the days before SMPS were common, all we had working was incandescent lights (dimly) and an exceptionally slow kettle.