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Old 10-22-2019, 07:53 PM   #1
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Surge Protector Issue

I have a trw surge protector that is doing something odd. With the surge protector plugged in, but the breaker off, the left red light is coming on. Not sure how this can happen with no power applied. I tried the device on several other pedestals and there were no lights with the power off, as expected. Any ideas?

Thanks!
Rick
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Old 10-22-2019, 08:00 PM   #2
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Originally Posted by kb1flr View Post
I have a trw surge protector that is doing something odd. With the surge protector plugged in, but the breaker off, the left red light is coming on. Not sure how this can happen with no power applied. I tried the device on several other pedestals and there were no lights with the power off, as expected. Any ideas?

Thanks!
Rick
Use a volt meter. sounds like a defective main breaker in the ped. Volt meter. Don't leave home without it. Never relay on lights.
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Old 10-22-2019, 08:04 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kb1flr View Post
I have a trw surge protector that is doing something odd. With the surge protector plugged in, but the breaker off, the left red light is coming on. Not sure how this can happen with no power applied. I tried the device on several other pedestals and there were no lights with the power off, as expected. Any ideas?

Thanks!
Rick
What does the left red light indicate, according to your device?
With the breaker OFF, only the hot or power lines are shut down, the neutral and ground are still connected. Having a light glow on only that pedestal would make me suspect bad wiring, possibly feedback through the neutral or breaker not actually shutting off the power.
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Old 10-23-2019, 12:10 AM   #4
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One light on only is not a condition on the wiring diagnostic. All of the usual suspects such as open ground, etc are listed, but one light only is not among them. And, as I say, this happens with the breakers shut off. I have both 30 and 50 protectors and they both show the same symptoms in that pedestal only.
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Old 10-23-2019, 04:59 AM   #5
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Ok, put a voltmeter on it and through the 30 amp socket I get 123 volts with the breaker on and 1.4 volts with the breaker off. I am guessing the 1.4 volts is enough to light one led on the surge protector, but why are there volts read at all? I tested a couple of other pedestals and they bread essentially 0 with the breaker off.
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Old 10-23-2019, 05:09 AM   #6
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What does the left red light indicate, according to your device?
With the breaker OFF, only the hot or power lines are shut down, the neutral and ground are still connected. Having a light glow on only that pedestal would make me suspect bad wiring, possibly feedback through the neutral or breaker not actually shutting off the power.
This. Gotta figure out where the power is coming from.
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Old 10-23-2019, 05:28 AM   #7
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Yes. And it gets weirder. If I turn on the 50 amp breakers, the 30 amp side drops to 0 volts. Both sets of breakers off and they both show volts on the meter.
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Old 10-23-2019, 08:54 AM   #8
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Ok. Figured it out. There is 2 volts coming through the neutral. When I connect neutral to ground, I get voltage even with the breaker off.
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Old 10-23-2019, 09:04 AM   #9
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Have the park management call an electrician.
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Old 10-23-2019, 09:38 AM   #10
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Have the park management call an electrician.
Yep^^
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Old 10-23-2019, 09:45 AM   #11
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Ok, put a voltmeter on it and through the 30 amp socket I get 123 volts with the breaker on and 1.4 volts with the breaker off. I am guessing the 1.4 volts is enough to light one led on the surge protector, but why are there volts read at all? I tested a couple of other pedestals and they bread essentially 0 with the breaker off.
You just answer your own question!! ALWAYS use a volt meter, DO NOT rely of lights!
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Old 10-23-2019, 10:45 AM   #12
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Electrical Question

This is pursuant to another thread, but us more specific. I am measuring 2 volts from neutral to ground despite the circuit breaker being off. Is this an indication of a dangerous electrical condition?

Thanks!

Rick
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Old 10-23-2019, 10:47 AM   #13
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This is pursuant to another thread, but us more specific. I am measuring 2 volts from neutral to ground despite the circuit breaker being off. Is this an indication of a dangerous electrical condition?

Thanks!

Rick
You were told what to do on your other post. Have an electrician look at the problem and DO NOT use it as is!

I don't know how to explain it any different .
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Old 10-23-2019, 10:52 AM   #14
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If you can measure one or two volts difference between the negative post and the chassis, you should suspect corrosion on either the ground clamp or where the ground cable connects to the chassis.
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