[kanicky73]

:confused: Wondering if anyone can shed some light (no punn intended) on a very strange electrical problem I am having. I purchased a duplex last summer that was previously owned by my parents. When I first moved in I noticed that on occasion the lights in the kitchen would flicker and even go out for a few seconds and then come back on. I asked my mother if they ever experienced this and she said no not at all. About a year before I bought the house my dad had the electric upgraded, from what it sounds like they added wattage, not sure if that's the proper terminology. Anyway, about 4 days ago what will happen is we will have lights on in the kitchen, living room and bedrooms, now mind you the bedrooms and the living room is on opposite ends of the house, the electricity will completely go out in half the living room, the kitchen and one of the bedrooms. It appears as though the air condition/furnace goes out with it as well. Now what I find very strange is directly in between the kitchen and the half of the living room where power is going out, is the other half of the living room of which the lights stay on. Weird right? Last night it completely went out about 6 or 7 times, for about 10-15 seconds and then came back on. Can anyone tell me what may be possibly going on and is it something that I should be highly concerned with or just have an electrician come when I have the time. :confused:

[tkrussell]

There is a loose connection someplace, and this can be anywhere, to include the panel, the main breaker, the meter, the utility line, or possibly someplace in the home wiring.

This may be difficult to trace until the electrician looks at the circuits being affected and determines what is common with theses circuits.

This is definitely not a DIY project, best to call in a good service electrician.

[kanicky73]

Many thanks! I had even thought that it might possibly be mice chewing on something. My house is very old and the basement is one that is accessed through the porch, so mice getting down there is not a hard task. Don't know if you know the answer to this or not but what could cause a connection to become loose as you called it? I guess that is what concerns me the most.

[tkrussell]

Connections can come loose by several reasons. Vibration being the most obvious, age, fatigue, heating, overheating, things of that nature. Many are because the connection was not tightened properly when first installed.

While vermin do chew on wires, depending on the wire they chose, most only affect a small portion of the power in a home.

[kanicky73]

That's good to know. I will call an electrician right away and have them come investigate. I don't want a house fire!!

[Stratmando]

Have Electrician Tighten all connections in Panel. Old panel, was thinking maybe burnt buss.
Have Him check Meter and Disconnect connections while he is at it.

[kanicky73]

Thanks I will do that