Had a 200 amp main breaker trip on a sunny day in Tampa

I was troubleshooting a new commercial kitchen install when the main panel started humming. Found a loose neutral on the utility side feeding back through the meter base. What's your go-to method for checking utility-side issues before calling the power company?

3 comments

3 Comments

rowan_reed689d agoMost Upvoted

First thing I do is check voltage at the main lugs with a good meter. If you see a big difference between legs or it's swinging wildly, that's a red flag for a utility problem. A loose neutral on their side can cause all sorts of weird feedback, just like you found. I'll also check the meter base for any signs of heat or corrosion before making the call, it gives them a better place to start.

angela_patel759d ago

Always blamed the panel until reading this.

ross.christopher9d ago

Ever had a dim bulb get super bright before calling them?