Question for those with electrical knowledge

[Deleted]

DH and I have both noticed (at separate times) that when our power goes out, there is a loud, fluctuating, roaring noise as the lights dim and eventually die.  The noise is oddly more than a noise-it's a physical sensation too.  It's like something vibrating against your skin.  This morning I actually saw goosebumps and raised hairs on my forearms when it happened.  I'm guessing it has something to do with fluctuating voltage ??  It's not painful but really weird to experience.  Ideas?

Maybe I should start saving my tinfoil for a little hat or two.

[ken a.k.a OMK]

Not sure what you are feeling, but during a power surge transformers made a hum like sound.

Outside at the utility poles transformers blow up and fuses blow both making loud explosive sounds.

Arcing produces fields for a small distance but I doubt you are close enough to feel that.

[Deleted]

Do you have a grounding rod for your house?

[ken a.k.a OMK]

By code all houses have an 8' - 10' ground rod installed by the utility near the service entry to the house. The top is buried a little below the surface.

[bookkeeper]

Many times the copper wire to the ground rod gets broken or disconnected somehow.  I installed satellite television systems that needed to be grounded and often times the wire was no longer there or connected to the rod.  Some older homes used to ground to the iron water main pipe, I have seen that in the past. 

Might be time to call your electric utility.  They have customer service people that will help you troubleshoot what is going on.  This sounds like a safety issue to me, please treat it seriously.

[Deleted]

Jul 3, 2020 13:37:16 GMT -5 ken a.k.a OMK said:

By code all houses have an 8' - 10' ground rod installed by the utility near the service entry to the house. The top is buried a little below the surface.

My house was built in 1959 so it doesn't have a lot of stuff younger homes do.  I do think we have a ground rod though.  Good thing is that I had a whole house surge protector installed with the generator and these crazy fluctuations don't damage my appliances and computers anymore.  

[tskeeter]

Jul 3, 2020 11:56:59 GMT -5 @donethat said:

DH and I have both noticed (at separate times) that when our power goes out, there is a loud, fluctuating, roaring noise as the lights dim and eventually die.  The noise is oddly more than a noise-it's a physical sensation too.  It's like something vibrating against your skin.  This morning I actually saw goosebumps and raised hairs on my forearms when it happened.  I'm guessing it has something to do with fluctuating voltage ??  It's not painful but really weird to experience.  Ideas?

Maybe I should start saving my tinfoil for a little hat or two.

Noises from your electrical system and unusual sensations are danger signs.  Loose connections often make noises.  Loose connections also over heat and burn houses down.  I’d be having the electrical system checked out as soon as I could.  If what you’re experiencing is common in your area, the local electrician should be aware of it and able to confirm that it is not a cause for concern.

[nidena]

Definitely not a good sign.  It's a sign of, basically, uncontrolled electricity.  Think: lightning strike.

[bookkeeper]

Neutral to ground voltage is something that may be at play in the OP's problem.

DH hates it when people refer to it as "Stray Voltage" because that name implies many things.  Your utility should have someone who understands neutral to ground voltage problems.  If not, they have access to people who do.  I was reading a bulletin from PG&E about how other utilities such as cable or internet or whoever is stringing things on the utility pole can cause NTG voltage because of improper grounding.

Neutral to ground voltage often happens in humid or damp conditions, especially dairy barns and hog barns.  

[Deleted]

Thanks for all the great comments-I can always count on good info from folks here.