More re Stetzer meter

Still trying to make sense of 'off the richter' Stetzer meter readings.

Meter is still flashing a huge number briefly (often over 1500) then
going to 1 (which I have been told happens when the reading is higher
than the meter can measure). This happens when nothing is running
(except the fridge).

So I am told it must be coming from other houses on the same
substation, BUT I measured in a cottage in the same street (presumably
the same substation) which just had A/C running and nothing else and
the readings were in the 200s all afternoon - actually it showed the
same reading with the A/C off too (this is a brand-new unoccupied
cottage owned by my husband so there was nothing going on there that I
didn't know about).

The first few times I measured at our house it showed average readings
of just under 50 at most sockets (70 or so at 2 socket) and I have seen
those readings one other time since. The rest of the time meter shows 1
everywhere.

I just cannot make sense of this!

Any further ideas?

Thanks,
Aline

Do you feel well when in the other
cottage with low readings? If so, move
there and rent your current place.

It may be well-meaning but I really wish people wouldn't make the
trite 'move out' comment. It really isn't helpful and just feels
dismissive and flippant.

Moving often isn't possible for many reasons (or would be an absolute
last resort as it can be a huge upheaval). In this case I couldn't
move the whole family into a 1-bedroom 500 sq foot cottage with
parking for one car.

And yes, I feel OK in the cottage - it doesn't have hot spots
everywhere from underfloor wiring.

I'm trying to understand the stetzer meter readings in an effort to
get to the bottom of what is affecting me. We may not be able to
solve the wiring hot spots but if the problem really is 'dirty'
electricity then I may be able to remediate it.

I'm running low on cash so I don't want to dish out $300 for 20
stetzer filters before really understanding what is going on.

Nothing is making sense so far.

Aline

In [hidden email], "jaime_schunkewitz" <jaime_schunkewitz@...>
wrote:

Do you feel well when in the other
cottage with low readings? If so, move
there and rent your current place.

> It may be well-meaning but I really wish people wouldn't make the
> trite 'move out' comment. It really isn't helpful and just feels
> dismissive and flippant.

Yes, although "moving out" could indeed be seen as an easy solution
by some, I know that in my own case, I specifically ruled out that
as being a "solution" to anything. That's just running away from
the problem. Obviously the house was not a problem, as most anyone
else had no problem being there.

But I'm sorry, I don't understand what's going on with your strange
Stetzer readings. Unless it's the fridge that's causing them...?

Marc

>The first few times I measured at our house it showed average readings
>of just under 50 at most sockets (70 or so at 2 socket) and I have seen
>those readings one other time since. The rest of the time meter shows 1
>everywhere.

Try this: install the meter in a socket nearest your main circuit breaker box (ideally it would be a circuit which only has that one socket, but this is not absolutely necessary). Figure out which circuit feeds the socket that the meter is plugged into. Wait until you get the high readings. Then turn off one circuit at a time, watching for an effect on the meter, until only the metered circuit remains "on". This will tell you how much each circuit is contributing to the problem.
Then you can hunt down the appliances which are plugged into the "worst" circuits, in a similar manner: plug the meter into an outlet on a "hot" circuit. Turn off all other circuits. The start unplugging EVERYTHING connected to the circuit under test, one at a time, to identify the worst offenders.
Emil



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Hi Emil,

Yes, I should try that. Are you saying a circuit can be causing it
and not an appliance?

The apartment downstairs gives the same readings with only the fridge
on. I will try switching the fridge off and testing just for the I
will try switching the fridge off just for the halibut (hell of it).

Thanks,
Aline


In [hidden email], lessemf@... wrote:

The first few times I measured at our house it showed average
readings of just under 50 at most sockets (70 or so at 2 socket) and
I have seen those readings one other time since. The rest of the time
meter shows 1 everywhere.

Try this: install the meter in a socket nearest your main circuit
breaker box (ideally it would be a circuit which only has that one
socket, but this is not absolutely necessary). Figure out which
circuit feeds the socket that the meter is plugged into. Wait until
you get the high readings. Then turn off one circuit at a time,
watching for an effect on the meter, until only the metered circuit
remains "on". This will tell you how much each circuit is
contributing to the problem.

Then you can hunt down the appliances which are plugged into
the "worst" circuits, in a similar manner: plug the meter into an
outlet on a "hot" circuit. Turn off all other circuits. The start
unplugging EVERYTHING connected to the circuit under test, one at a
time, to identify the worst offenders.
Emil

Here is what is happening (and every electrician knows this):
When an electric motor starts to turn, it draws a huge gulp of electric current; this
quickly subsides to the normal running current needed to keep it running.

This huge gulp of current is detected by your Stetzer meter. It's your fridge motor that
does it.

BTW this was studied at a university in California, and shown to kill some growing
children by causing leukemia in those who spend too much time close to suchmotors -
including hair blow dryers. They didn't mention what it does to adults.

William



--- In [hidden email], "Aline" <haikuron@...> wrote:
>
> Still trying to make sense of 'off the richter' Stetzer meter readings.
>
> Meter is still flashing a huge number briefly (often over 1500) then
> going to 1 (which I have been told happens when the reading is higher
> than the meter can measure). This happens when nothing is running
> (except the fridge).
>

>
> I just cannot make sense of this!
>
> Any further ideas?
>
> Thanks,
> Aline
>

No, I am saying that the things plugged into that circuit are contributing.
Don't just turn things off, unplug them. "Off" doesn't really mean off
anymore, as many appliances are still live when off.

Of course, this dirty electricity can also be coming into your home from
outside... that is why I said "ideally it would be a circuit which only has
that one socket" nearest the breaker box. With all other circuits off, and
nothing else on the circuit under test, you will know how much is coming
from outside.

Emil


> Hi Emil,
>
> Yes, I should try that. Are you saying a circuit can be causing it
> and not an appliance?
>
> The apartment downstairs gives the same readings with only the fridge
> on. I will try switching the fridge off and testing just for the I
> will try switching the fridge off just for the halibut (hell of it).

Hi Emil,

Ok - I see what you are saying. I will try that. However, if the energy
is coming from outside wouldnt readings be similar in another house in
the same street?

Aline

In [hidden email], "Less EMF Inc" <lessemf@...> wrote:

No, I am saying that the things plugged into that circuit are
contributing. Don't just turn things off, unplug them. "Off" doesn't
really mean off anymore, as many appliances are still live when off.

Of course, this dirty electricity can also be coming into your home
from outside... that is why I said "ideally it would be a circuit which
only has that one socket" nearest the breaker box. With all other
circuits off, and nothing else on the circuit under test, you will know
how much is coming
from outside.

Emil

Hi William,

I just unplugged the fridge and the reading is the same.

As I said, the reading stays off the richter the whole time - it
doesn't surge and then settle.

I am baffled.

Aline

In [hidden email], "skrzn" <WilliamSchnell@...> wrote:

Here is what is happening (and every electrician knows this):
When an electric motor starts to turn, it draws a huge gulp of
electric current; this quickly subsides to the normal running current
needed to keep it running.

This huge gulp of current is detected by your Stetzer meter. It's
your fridge motor that does it.

BTW this was studied at a university in California, and shown to kill
some growing children by causing leukemia in those who spend too much
time close to such motors -
including hair blow dryers. They didn't mention what it does to
adults.

William
>
>
>
> --- In [hidden email], "Aline" <haikuron@> wrote:
> >
> > Still trying to make sense of 'off the richter' Stetzer meter
readings.
> >
> > Meter is still flashing a huge number briefly (often over 1500)
then
> > going to 1 (which I have been told happens when the reading is
higher

You might think so, but not necessarily. Anyway, it doesn't really matter. What matters is the readings at your
house.

Emil



> Hi Emil,
>
> Ok - I see what you are saying. I will try that. However, if the energy
> is coming from outside wouldnt readings be similar in another house in
> the same street?
>
> Aline

> As I said, the reading stays off the richter the whole time - it
> doesn't surge and then settle.

Do you get the same readings on all outlets throughout the house?

Marc

Have you got central heating or an electric water heater?

Also I might have missed it, could you describe the house
please, is this a house or a block of units?

Rowan C.

Yes, it is showing the same everywhere, even in the garage. If I hadn't
got other readings in other houses I would have thought the meter was
malfunctioning.

Aline

In [hidden email], "Marc Martin" <marc@...> wrote:

As I said, the reading stays off the richter the whole time - it
doesn't surge and then settle.

Do you get the same readings on all outlets throughout the house?

Marc

Hi Rowan,

This is a detached house and we have A/C and a water heater (in Hawaii
so no central heating).

Aline

In [hidden email], "rowster_c" <rowanc@...> wrote:

Have you got central heating or an electric water heater?

Also I might have missed it, could you describe the house please, is
this a house or a block of units?

Rowan C.

Hi Aline and Emil,

Sounds like a good plan. I hope you find The circuit that is causing
this mess.

Don't forget, it is not just One socket near the breaker box needed, as
there are _Two_ _phases_ to account for.


Is the reading on the meter still 1 after turning off every circuit
breaker except that one?

If so, then find a different socket/outlet that is on the other phase,
and turn off the first circuit breaker.
What does it read then?

Here's a picture of breaker box innards here:
http://www.geocities.com/sandreas41/images/lambert/20031207_f-PUD-ElecPanel_insideDn_0156c.jpg

I've added color dots and numbers. See how the black and red alternate.
So if the socket nearest the breaker box is an even numbered circuit
breaker, find an outlet on a odd numbered breaker.

Happy hunting,
Stewart

Less EMF Inc wrote:
> Of course, this dirty electricity can also be coming into your home from
> outside... that is why I said "ideally it would be a circuit which only has
> that one socket" nearest the breaker box. With all other circuits off, and
> nothing else on the circuit under test, you will know how much is coming
> from outside.
>
> Emil
>

Find which circuit water heater and aircon are on.
If its ducted central heating they have a variable speed
drive and may be a large source, especially if current has
escaped through accidental neutral termination to ducting.

Somehow turn them off, test.
Test with light circuits off using a torch.

What hours of day is it- continual or intermittent?

Then if that doesn't work get gauss meters, current clamps.
Push on, I think we would like to know the source.

Marc mentioned moving being not dealing with the problem.
This is commonly true, however much of the community lives
in flats. If its not one person in the next flat with a
computer CRT it will somebody else in the next. I've stopped
one but I can't do that for the rest of my life. esens need to
be out of flats. In my case this premises is from the 1890s. The
wiring will be shot and there may be a coincidental other
toxin that cannot be fixed with wiring mitigation. I'm not sure
that I can afford to take the chance. But I will try my best to
locate the source here of GS reading, I need more meters.

Rowster C

Oh and if you use a tank, don't get caught!

Hi all,

Well we tested turning off all the circuits except the nearest one to
the box on both phases and it showed 1 every time.

Now I'm really stumped.

Can anyone advise me as to where to place filters to remediate this
energy that is apparently coming from outside.

I'm very curious to know what could be causing such high readings.
Everyone around here has A/Cs - that makes me wonder.

Any comments?

Thanks again - you guys (and gals) are fantastic.

Aloha,
Aline

In [hidden email], "S. Andreason" <sandreas41@...> wrote:

Hi Aline and Emil,

Sounds like a good plan. I hope you find The circuit that is causing
this mess.

Don't forget, it is not just One socket near the breaker box needed,
as there are _Two_ _phases_ to account for.

Is the reading on the meter still 1 after turning off every circuit
breaker except that one?

If so, then find a different socket/outlet that is on the other
phase, and turn off the first circuit breaker. What does it read then?

Here's a picture of breaker box innards here:
http://www.geocities.com/sandreas41/images/lambert/20031207_f-PUD-
I've added color dots and numbers. See how the black and red
alternate. So if the socket nearest the breaker box is an even
numbered circuit breaker, find an outlet on a odd numbered breaker.

Happy hunting,
Stewart

Less EMF Inc wrote:

> Can anyone advise me as to where to place filters to remediate this
> energy that is apparently coming from outside.

If its coming from outside your house, then you should put them
next to the fusebox. Some people even have an electrician install
outlets next to their fusebox (two, one for each phase), and then
plug in a powerstrip loaded with Stetzer filters on each outlet!

Marc

Have you ever gotten a reading other than 1? If not, try it
at a friend's house in another neighborhood. Could be a
bad meter or dirty power coming in. Some Power Companies
may have power quality testers, but they normally use them
only for commercial customers. You could inquire.

Bill

On 7/24/07, Aline <[hidden email]> wrote:

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]