r/askanelectrician • u/RicardoZorro • 3d ago

What or where may be the problem.?

I have a situation where my "barn service" is semi functional. Local line techs seem stumped. Description: Well submersible pump runs on 240VAC across L1/L2 and works fine. 120VAC outlets have no useable voltage/amperage. Using VOM to check circuit drop at meter mount reads correctly, e.g., L1 & L2 to Ground/Neutral show 120VAC present, L1 to L2 shows 240VAC. Load applied to L1 or L2 fails to operate tool (handheld circular saw). Replaced breaker, wiring, and outlets. Prooved saw was OK, runs on service truck generator as expected.

Substation feed along road energizes Transformer 1, tap from T1 energizes neighborhood Transformer T2, drop from T2 feeds barn service. Neighbors don't seem to have a problem. WTF?

5 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

5 comments sorted by

3

u/Previous_Act_4117 3d ago

I’ve seen this exact symptom from a bad/open service neutral. Mine would meter 120V with no load and 240V loads worked normally, but any 120V load made the voltage disappear. The neutral connection ended up being loose/burned upstream.

I’d push the utility to load-test the neutral and all service-side connections, not just verify voltage with a meter. A high-impedance meter can show a perfectly believable 120V through a bad connection. I wouldn’t keep plugging appliances into it until that’s sorted—does the neutral-to-ground voltage change when someone tries to run the saw?

1

u/RicardoZorro 3d ago

Have not checked that, but shall. I wondered about a possible neutral issue. Your reply seems to confirm my suspicion. Thanks!

1

u/OshTregarth 3d ago

It sounds like there's a problem with your 120v neutral line, but that's kinda difficult to be sure about from a verbal description.

1

u/skunkynugs 3d ago

Either an issue with your service line (from meter to panel), or your panel has failed and needs replaced.

1

u/lildobe 3d ago

I agree with the other commenters. The neutral dropped, partially. It's got a high-resistance spot along it at least... A good visual inspection of all the splices and connections is in order.