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| Thread ID: 134278 | 2013-06-16 06:49:00 | What is this thing in my meter box? | Agent_24 (57) | PC World Chat |
| Post ID | Timestamp | Content | User | ||
| 1346005 | 2013-06-16 06:49:00 | ....and why is it making a noise? :( I was told that there was a "crashing sound" from the meter box that repeated a few times and then stopped, followed by a noticeable humming. I determined the hum was probably from the black box in the middle as I can feel it vibrating if I put my finger on it. The two stickers mean nothing useful to me in terms of figuring out its function: "Danger 400 Volts - Motorpol Rev4" and "Important: check tightness of all screw terminals before livening" This was shortly after some quite heavy rain, I don't know if that might have had anything to do with it. I do however think I have heard a humming noise from the meter box before, but as for anything else, I don't think so. Either way, what is this thing? I assume it has some mechanical componentry although I have no idea what it's for. IIRC it was installed years ago (or at least the plastic cover was) during a previous meter upgrade. (NOT during the latest upgrade to the smart meter) And of course the big question - if it's making funny noises, should I be worried? As with most electrical things, I am going to assume the answer is yes. 5066 |
Agent_24 (57) | ||
| 1346006 | 2013-06-16 08:00:00 | Edit: After some discussion, I think the "crashing sound" would probably be more accurately described as a scraping\grinding noise... but I never heard it myself... :rolleyes: | Agent_24 (57) | ||
| 1346007 | 2013-06-16 08:42:00 | Phone your power co and ask. I am sure they will send someone to check it out! LL |
lakewoodlady (103) | ||
| 1346008 | 2013-06-16 08:44:00 | Maybe its the hamster having to run much harder to keep the power going in the rain.........:p | beetle (243) | ||
| 1346009 | 2013-06-16 09:10:00 | Well, I think I know what it is now. A ripple control receiver for the hot water heater. en.wikipedia.org The control signal is at 1050 Hz which is audible so might account for the humming noise, not sure about the rest. Although last I checked relays only make a single click as they switch over, so maybe there's something wrong with it. Power company is going to send someone out to check it. |
Agent_24 (57) | ||
| 1346010 | 2013-06-16 09:26:00 | Out in the street - probably rain/trees caused the wires to wander around a bit. That upsets the pulse that normally puts your water heating on/off at dusk/dawn. We had similar last year until neighbour's trees were trimmed back. The relay makes the clunking noise and it should normally be only one for evening and one for morning. The pulses are extra to the normal 230v on the wires. (Forgive my old-fashioned terms - relay is probably an "actuator" these days and there will no doubt be another powerful new word for 'pulse'.) | coldot (6847) | ||
| 1346011 | 2013-06-16 10:12:00 | So maybe nothing wrong with the relay at all.. just interruption of the control signal? Sounds like a reasonable explanation, considering the weather at the time. |
Agent_24 (57) | ||
| 1346012 | 2013-06-16 11:50:00 | Looks like the problem is solved. Apparently the fuse out on the pole was failing causing reduced line voltage which wasn't making the relay very happy. | Agent_24 (57) | ||
| 1346013 | 2013-06-16 12:59:00 | Pssshht.. Thats the taxometer. It makes a noise because it needs feeding. | Catweazle (2535) | ||
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