I have my TT sitting next to the house with 30 amps supply line to it. I was in the TT today and the only thing running in the TT is the frig. I turned on the A/C and the voltmeter went into the red. I know that is not good esp for the A/C motor. I checked the fuse box in the house, and the guy who put in the service to the TT used two 30 amp Square D fuses. none are tripped and I don't know why the gauge would show in the red. do you think the two fuses are going bad or just not working properly? Any suggestions. Thanks

It is immediately suspicious of 2 FUSES (I think you mean breakers, but we work past that for now), because your TTs 30amp feed should only be 1 (One) 30amp breaker.It sounds like you are not tuned to electrics, but you had best find someone that is right now. I am going to suggest that you find out what is going on. If your electrician made the common (way too common) mistake, it could have already done a great deal of damage to anything connected. Many electricians, it seems, never read either the receptacle itself or the code about a TT30. The TT30 (two slanted blades and a round ground pin is a antique standard that got grandfather in and is still in use though it meets none of the modern standards. Many electricians assume that because the two blades are the same, it is a 230V connection. (Like a clothes dryer might be.) Good luck, I hope I am wrong about the damage. Matt

What was the actual reading?I had one of those square, analog meters and it's read zone was overly sensitive to what's bad - I think it said 110 was too low. Also, it was very inaccurate compared to my calibrated Fluke. Ended up tossing it.If it's over about 106VAC, it's fine.This is all assuming you have a normal 30A service. If you really have two breakers on a 120V 30A service then your toast. Time the for electrician to pay up for repairs.

It is also suspicious he used 2. 30 amp service only needs one (120 volt) unless you have a 50 amp outlet.. I know when I had a house the outlet was bigger than the breaker.. but that was MY choice.

old guy wrote:I have my TT sitting next to the house with 30 amps supply line to it. the guy who put in the service to the TT used two 30 amp Square D fuses. I think this is your problem.

Are you using an extension cord?

low electrical volts | Good Sam Community

15 Replies

old_guy
Explorer
Aug 10, 2017
I went back into the TT with another meter and read the outlets with it. I am thinking the inline monitor plugged in is reading low. when I put in the meter and turned on the A/C the outlet read 114.8 so I'm am sure I'm ok.
Lynnmor
Explorer
Aug 10, 2017
He may have used an old switch and fused both the hot and neutral. Like this: old box
gbopp
Explorer
Aug 10, 2017
2112 wrote:
gbopp wrote:
old guy wrote:
I have my TT sitting next to the house with 30 amps supply line to it.

the guy who put in the service to the TT used two 30 amp Square D fuses.

I think this is your problem.
He may have installed a breaker at the main service panel and another one at a subpanel. Let's wait for the whole story.

Good point, I didn't think of that. I assumed he was talking about a double 30 amp breaker. And, we all know what 'assume' means.
westend
Explorer
Aug 10, 2017
More detailed information is needed. Fuses don't "trip", circuit breakers 'trip".

If the two "fuses" are wired into the 30 amp service in series, that is OK. If you have a circuit breaker with two poles or two fuses powering the 30 amp circuit, there is the possibility that 240V is present at the receptacle. That is not a good thing.

If you could, describe the voltage meter that you are using for measurement of voltage. "Red" lacks details.

If this is a new installation, I'd suggest to call back the electrician that did the installation and emphasize that the installation is for 120V.
DownTheAvenue
Explorer
Aug 10, 2017
old guy wrote:
I turned on the A/C and the voltmeter went into the red. I checked the fuse box in the house, and the guy who put in the service to the TT used two 30 amp Square D fuses. none are tripped and I don't know why the gauge would show in the red. do you think the two fuses are going bad or just not working properly?

Based on the terms you used and your descriptions, I have to wonder if you know enough to understand exactly what is happening. Nothing wrong with not knowing about complicated issues.
Lynnmor
Explorer
Aug 10, 2017
If his cheap meter read correct without load, it apparently is not giving him 240 volts. The idea that he is running an extension cord may be the only problem. It is also possible that the wiring installed was too light or too long. In any case, get a good digital voltmeter before running the AC again. If the voltage drops to 105 with AC, turn it off.
RJsfishin
Explorer
Aug 10, 2017
He may have run for 50 amp service on down the road, doesn't mean both breakers are being used now.
images
Explorer
Aug 10, 2017
It sounds like a new instillation and you are powering the rig up for the first time, is that correct?

If this is the case is the guy who installed it a actual electrician or just a friend helping our?

As previously mentioned a 30 amp service only requires one breaker, if indeed there are two immediately open both breakers and disconnect the service from the rig and get qualified help.

Actually it sounds like you need qualified help even if there were only one breaker.
Lwiddis
Explorer II
Aug 10, 2017
"What was the actual reading?" Scott.

OP "the voltmeter went into the red." Why can't OPs state the FACTS?
2112
Explorer II
Aug 10, 2017
gbopp wrote:
old guy wrote:
I have my TT sitting next to the house with 30 amps supply line to it.

the guy who put in the service to the TT used two 30 amp Square D fuses.

I think this is your problem.
He may have installed a breaker at the main service panel and another one at a subpanel. Let's wait for the whole story.