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I have an odd issue with my apartment... and have no real choice but to 'experiment' to figure out what's going on. My cell phone won't work and the battery drains within a few hours... I've never been without service, no matter where I am... and the battery life of the phone is up to 4 or 5 days, depending on use. Electrical outlets also feel strange... it's possible to physically FEEL something coming out of them... and the cable line. The whole apartment feels like it's vibrating.
Does anyone have any idea what's going on? Is it dangerous? What can test it... or who do I call??
odd electrical problem?
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deleted-71587
- Former Expert
- Posts: 4
- Joined: Mon Oct 16, 2006 7:54 pm
Sounds like a bad ground
Most likely you have a bad ground.
Go to a hardware store and buy an outlet tester. That should show the problem. Otherwise, call and electrician, it could be dangerous!
Go to a hardware store and buy an outlet tester. That should show the problem. Otherwise, call and electrician, it could be dangerous!
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ghariman
- Former Expert
- Posts: 84
- Joined: Tue Oct 17, 2006 8:48 am
Hi there,
I had to consult a senior co-worker for this. And here were his thoughts on your problem.
1) Cellphone battery drainage problem.
It is likely that in your apartment you only receive the old analog service. With an analog service your cellphone is continually in the "on" state because it needs to maintain connection with the base.
Outside your apartment it is likely that you get back to the digital service where your cellphone limits battery usage by 'sampling' communication with the base (periodically connect to base). You can overcome this problem by always plugging your cellphone to the charger while at home so your cellphone will always have power.
2) Hum in your outlet.
It is likely that the wiring of your HOT (BLACK) and NEUTRAL (WHITE) in your socket is backwards. The HOT (BLACK) is at 110V 60Hz and if your socket is wired backwards then certain appliance's chassis will be connected to HOT instead of NEUTRAL and may hum at 60Hz.
THIS SETUP IS DANGEROUS and you SHOULD ASK A PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN TO CHECK OUT YOUR WIRING.
Another thing you can do is buy a polarity tester:
http://www.nextag.com/polarity-tester/search-html
BUT I WOULD RECOMMEND YOU CALL A PROF. ELECTRICAN to come and check your wiring.
Hope this helps.
I had to consult a senior co-worker for this. And here were his thoughts on your problem.
1) Cellphone battery drainage problem.
It is likely that in your apartment you only receive the old analog service. With an analog service your cellphone is continually in the "on" state because it needs to maintain connection with the base.
Outside your apartment it is likely that you get back to the digital service where your cellphone limits battery usage by 'sampling' communication with the base (periodically connect to base). You can overcome this problem by always plugging your cellphone to the charger while at home so your cellphone will always have power.
2) Hum in your outlet.
It is likely that the wiring of your HOT (BLACK) and NEUTRAL (WHITE) in your socket is backwards. The HOT (BLACK) is at 110V 60Hz and if your socket is wired backwards then certain appliance's chassis will be connected to HOT instead of NEUTRAL and may hum at 60Hz.
THIS SETUP IS DANGEROUS and you SHOULD ASK A PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN TO CHECK OUT YOUR WIRING.
Another thing you can do is buy a polarity tester:
http://www.nextag.com/polarity-tester/search-html
BUT I WOULD RECOMMEND YOU CALL A PROF. ELECTRICAN to come and check your wiring.
Hope this helps.
"Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety nine percent perspiration".
- Thomas A Edison
George H
Volunteer Mentor for the Ask an Expert Forum located in California
- Thomas A Edison
George H
Volunteer Mentor for the Ask an Expert Forum located in California