I have a voltage question.

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I am right at the panel, I never thought to run drop test but was curious why I needed to turn the machine up a little.  So I check, standing 247 with 122 on one leg and 124 on the other.  Seems its a pinch higher actually than the last time I checked.  I got some big fat wire from the tranny, no load considering the feed. How much are legs typically out of balance?  I could understand if there was some significant lopsided load and have seen that.  I went to a park, they had events, was a small place and all of a sudden they had vendors and by some mere fate had a 60 from a long wire and 49A on one leg and 1 on the other.  Right now I cant recall what the voltage was but we move a plug or a breaker maybe and got the beer trailer on another leg and it spruced right up.www.urkafarms.com
Reply:All of the ones that I've measured have been within 0 - 2 volts at the feed with no load.  Depends on if other houses are hooked into the same transformer.Miller Trailblazer Pro 350DMiller Suitcase MIGMiller Spectrum 2050Miller Syncrowave 250DXLincoln 210MP
Reply:I am 2 with no load and only service on the tranny.www.urkafarms.com
Reply:Your power company will hold the voltage +- 10% approximately. Dave

Originally Posted by Sberry

I am right at the panel, I never thought to run drop test but was curious why I needed to turn the machine up a little.  So I check, standing 247 with 122 on one leg and 124 on the other.  Seems its a pinch higher actually than the last time I checked.  I got some big fat wire from the tranny, no load considering the feed. How much are legs typically out of balance?  I could understand if there was some significant lopsided load and have seen that.  I went to a park, they had events, was a small place and all of a sudden they had vendors and by some mere fate had a 60 from a long wire and 49A on one leg and 1 on the other.  Right now I cant recall what the voltage was but we move a plug or a breaker maybe and got the beer trailer on another leg and it spruced right up.
Reply:Center tap is halfway between ends of the secondary coil. Sometimes it isn't exactly center. No load imbalance of 1 or two volts doesn't concern me. Loaded imbalance of more difference than 1 or 2 volts probably indicated a bad connection in a line from the transformer, most likely the center tap, or neutral. Keep an eye on it, damage is costly.An optimist is usually wrong, and when the unexpected happens is unprepared. A pessimist is usually right, when wrong, is delighted, and well prepared.
Reply:

Originally Posted by Willie B

Center tap is halfway between ends of the secondary coil. Sometimes it isn't exactly center. No load imbalance of 1 or two volts doesn't concern me. Loaded imbalance of more difference than 1 or 2 volts probably indicated a bad connection in a line from the transformer, most likely the center tap, or neutral. Keep an eye on it, damage is costly.