In the last month I've had to replace 3 surge protectors the originial one I put on my system when it was new 1 1/2 years ago an APC high end modle with protection for Cable TV and telephone line in and out ! I must have these because I have a dial up modem I use and I also have the ATI TV Wonder PCI installed on my system ! The second surge protector was a top of the line Belkin with all the same options as the APC Model and just yesterday the third one a Cyber Power ,that claimed if it recieved a spike so powerful it would damage(up to 3600 joules) the surge protector it would shut itself down protecting even the surge protector, well it did protect the equipment however all of the lights letting you know protection is still working are not liting up ? Odd thing is I have a 8 year old PC that was plugged into a differant Belkin on the second plug on that same outlet thats still working ? The problem is with the eletricial power in the condo Iam renting ,the lights will dim and then get real bright my 36" TV will shut down radomly (also on a surge protector) ,yesterday came home to the refrigerator off and the power switch in the circut breaker box on off my third (cyberpower surge protector) blown ! These units where built in 1985 and thats not considered really that old for housing property .I've had the electrician that works for the complex out and he claimed he had fixed the problem ? One week ago with my lights dimmimng from very dim to extra bright I called the management of complex again however it was on a Saturday and I left a message ,never to hear back from them ! Iam nervous that all of these power surges even though I have protection are still putting some kind of strain on my systems ,my computers and its accessories ,the three TV's I have in the home and the many other electric powered appliances etc in the home ? Any input greatly appreciated ,as of now Iam going today to buy a fourth surge protector ,the cyber power one that was the last one I bought has a life time warranty that it will still work even after a power surge ,however you have to send it to them for evaluation etc ,I cannot wait that long also I feel the complex owners are liable for all three and #4 Iam going to buy ,do you agree ?
Thank You ,Nick

I suggest you move.

I second jam.

I've had the electrician that works for the complex out and he claimed he had fixed the problem

Don't be too naive to believe it. You need to understand that people working for the complex are paid to protect the complex's interest. It's called loyalty. Now pack up and move and bid au revoir to your programmer & engineer neighbors.

i_Xp/VistaUser

You guys are cracking me up ,I cant just pack up and move ! My kids are in the middle of their school year and I have certain obligations with work etc that must take priority at this time. However your advise is sound and we do plan on moving this coming sunmmer ,thanks for the good advice!
Take Care ,Nick

Then you may want to lodge a complaint with the local building dept. This condition is something that can be dangerous. I am a builder so I have some knowledge in this area. Your problem sounds like connections where heavy gauge aluminum wiring is not made up properly at the terminations. That, or the terminals may not be rated for aluminum wire.

Typically in multiple housing a transformer supplies a bus panel which in turn supplies each unit meter. There are many points in this system that could be madeup wrong, thereby causing this to happen. When aluminum wiring is use there is a special paste that MUST be used at every connection point. If that isn't used, or used improperly, the result can be added resistance across that connection. This is a fire hazard.

The other possibility could be further away from your unit. The power company could be at fault. They can be another good resource at identifying and solving the problem. Even if the person working for the complex is above board they are not a licenced electrician. Protect your family by contacting someone.

While OtheHill post makes sense, I suggest you first closely examine the rent/lease agreement documents you signed with the complex. Next look for any Arbitration clause. If none exist, give the board a call first thing tomorrow morning. Otherwise you will end up having to pay big bucks for not following the clause.

Good luck.

i_Xp/VistaUser

When I suggested you move, I didn't mean to another state or country...I just meant to another complex that has reliable electrical service. Other than the inconvenience, it shouldn't impact your job or your kid's education, provided you stay in the same school district.

Other than that, you should look into what the others have suggested. It sounds like you *may* have a potentially dangerous situation on your hands...electrical fire hazard? Is it worth putting your family's lives at risk because of "obligations"?

"Then you may want to lodge a complaint with the local building dept. This condition is something that can be dangerous. I am a builder so I have some knowledge in this area. Your problem sounds like connections where heavy gauge aluminum wiring is not made up properly at the terminations. That, or the terminals may not be rated for aluminum wire."

I agree - assumimg you are in the US or Canada - the condo was built within a time frame when aluminum wiring was used. You can confirm that for sure by removing a switch cover plate or a duplex (double plug in) cover plate and looking in the connection box for bare aluminum ground wire instead of copper ground wire. Poorly done connections or re-connections (aluminum wire breaks a lot easier than copper wire does when roughly handled or nicked or overly twisted), or connections that have become loose over time (I've seen a few corroded main connections in a power panel), or connections to replaced fixtures (switches, duplexes, lighting) that were designed only for copper wiring, can easily overheat and cause a fire.

Tubes

Aluminum wiring is being used in every house built in North aamerica today.

What you are referring to is aluminum romex. this is the smaller gauge (#14 or #12) that is used for branch circuits. Aluminum romex was only used for less than two years. I think the timeframe was around 1972. That stuff HAS burned down houses.

The service entrance cables are still aluminum. This has been to case for years. The wiring from the meter to the breaker panel is one use of aluminum. If that paste wasn't used, or the lugs aren't properly tightened then problem most likely will arise. Additionally, any circuit larger than 20A may be wired with aluminum. Ranges, dryers, AC units, etc. The issue in the case we are discussing is probably caused by either the service entrance cabling or the cabling from the transformer to the building bus as described above. Those are most likely aluminum. To go a little further, even copper wiring can cause similiar problems. If the luge on the mains are not tightened properly there can be extra resistance which causes heat. The heat in turn deforms the round wire, which is not solid in farger gauge wire, and loosen the connection futher.

Whow ,You have all given me some food for thought .I at least have some idea of what kind of problem this may be and just how serious it is ! The company that meanages this property also ownes most of the units many of tem are also privatly owned ,the kicker is they are also the builder of these places and own thousands of units accross Nothern Ca. ,Iam quite sure they have all their bases covered when it comes to protecting themselves in any kind of litagation. Iam really not looking to casue any trouble the failure is mostly due to one piticular emplyee in their office who apprently does'nt care about what others may be going thru when it comes to their living situation. A couple of years ago tthis same person made us wait over a holiday weekend to get our hearter serviced when the pilot lite would not work ,causing us to be very cold 3-4 days B/4 someone finally came out and had to replace a piece of hardware on the heater, another lady down at the office later told me I should have talked to her that anyhing such as heating etc would be given imediate priority and she would have had someone out the next day ! I was upset when I wen back to return the last surge protector that p[opped a cyeber power 3600 joule protector with cable TV protection phone line and network jack protection plus a noise reduction filter that stops any staic or other noise that may come thru a rgular surge protector .It was a really good one and i wanted the same one ,te large electronic store said the store computer was showing 3 in stock however I could not find it in a rush going to see a movie ! Going back today ,they have surge protectors in art least 3-4 differant areas ,wy dont the just put all of them in one display area ! Well should or should I say better hear from mangement on electricial problem ,keep those of you interested posted on situation ,apprently last time the electrician they sent out told me they have been disputing this problem with the utility company over who is causing the problem !
Thank You ,Nick

Nick

The situation may well be just one of the electric utility providing dirty power. If that is the case there isn't much you can do other than connecting your computers to some sort of line conditioner. An interruptable power supply may be suitable. Do you own the appliances in the unit? I ask because modern appliances are very suseptable to line surges and low voltage conditions. Sounds like you are getting surges, or spikes.

At any rate, for your family's sake you should insist someone get to the bottom of it.

Thank you Over the Hill ,the management company is sending out a differant electrician then the first guy that came out ,he was a low level general maintience employee that took a short class in electricial problems and how to trouble shoot them !
Take Care Rock

Hope it all works out for you.

Thank you OtheHill,
Your caring and information is invalueable. I have taken notes and Iam going to ask the electrician that's coming out today some ?'s. I've returned my 3rd surge protector that blew out yesterday .Thankfully these surge protectors are covered reguardless of reason for the protection being burned up and have a life time warranty .I have another surge protector in the box ,however I cannot find the receipt ,its a shame because I paid almost $50.00 for it ! The last two surge protectors protected up to 3600 joules had 10 plugs 4 of which are for transformers (spaced further apart) it also has all gold plated connectors for the cable TV,phone line and networking lines ,its a cyber power model 1085 ,its the best one I could find ,now the are out of stock and I have to wait for them to ship me one 3-5 days! Again thank you and thanks to all that replied to my post !
Take Care , Nick

A second electrician came out yesterday 1/30/08 ,I was hoping he would actualy find a problem yet he could not and would'nt you know it while he was here not one light dimmed or flucuated in brightness something it was doing just the day B/4 at the same time he was at my home around 9:30A.M.the main line to my outside box was lose somewhat and he put the paste you guys informed me of on that line and the main line to the box inside my home also ! While he was working on the electricial center out side two other tenants came out and complained to him they where expriencing the same problems I have been .Since he did leave I will say however I have not had any lights getting dim and then going real bright no radom shutdown of my TVs my PC the 2.8 Dual Core I have had unplugged and will not use it till I recieve my new surge protector via UPS tomarrow ! I've been using my old P3 to go online etc. The electrician B/4 leaving said he is going to suggest that the mangement company gives his company the OK to dig deeper into locating the problem ,he said if this is a continuing problem it will eventually reaveal its locaton etc. Well
I cant wait around till it blows out and one of my TV's or even worst my new PC get ruined in the process ,so Iam going to start checking out the other rental options in the town I live in ! I want to thank all of you for you help with information and suggestions ! I feel the company that manages this 24 unit complex ,and who also where the builders would rather wait then spend the money to aggressively find the problem and repair it now ,I hope no-one loses their life while they wait and keep their precious $ in he bank ,as I stated B/4,they own many apt and condo's accross Nothern California, so should something bad happen they will be a very deep pocket to pick in a lawsuite ,however if you loose a loved one the $ really does not matter !
Take Care ,Nick

If he applied the paste I informed you about while the building was under power then he didn't apply it correctly. The meter needs to be pulled out and the end of the wire removed from under the lugs. Then it msut be wire brushed and the paste worked into the cable coating all surfaces. I suggest you turn to the electric company or the local electrical inspector, for assistance.
edit to add: If multiple apartments are being affected the bad connection, if one exists is before the meter to your unit. That is unless multiple unit share a meter.

Hi OtheHill,
Well I was not watching the electrician when he was outside or inside my unit which has a breaker switch box to see exactly how he applied the paste .What ever he did so far its been working because I have not had even one instance of the bad symptoms I was having constantly B/4 he came out ? He called yesterday a day after he was here to ask how things where going as far as the electricial prob,and I informed him that not sure if its just a temporary thing however so far no lights dimming and then getting brighter ,no TV's turning themselves off ,etc. Iam suppose to recieve my new surge protector today via UPS ,thats why I've been using my old P3 untill it arrives ,the P3 is on its own surge p[rotector however its not as powerful as the one for my DELL XPS400 !
Thanks again and I will mention the steps to apply the paste correctly next time I speak with the electrician !
Take Care ,Sincerely
Nick