Electricity supply / fridge-freezer

[MarkWags]

I suffer from a pretty noisy electricity supply. The lights regularly (but not frequently) dim momentarily. Some CFLs go out and do not fully re-light on a bad fluctuation.

Anyway, my fridge / freezer (large domestic 2 door model) seems to run a lot. You can hear a the tone of the compressor / fan running change just slightly if a fluctuation occurs whilst the compressor / fan is running. The funny thing is that the fridge seems to run a lot and it seems to run more on a night when we have power fluctuations.

Could it be that power fluctuations cause the fridge to run more than it should?

I'd appreciate any thoughts / insights. Also, any advice on dealing with the electricity supplier to get the fluctuations dealt with (Melbourne metro) or, any devices I could install to improve the electricity supply.

Thanks in advance.

[nev25]

I would get an electrician in to have a look Sounds to me there a major problem.
I could guess an say you have a crook neutral but without being there and taking a look its a bit hard

[Sideshow]

As pointed out by Nev25 - without taking readings, checking connections etc, it's difficult to diagnose.

Are your neighbours having problems also? If your neighbours are similarly suffering then it's a good bet the problem is on the supply side.

Contact your supply authority and tell them that your supply is fluctuating widely and you believe this is affecting your appliances. Let them know you will be putting it in writing and any replacement appliances will be at their expense. Follow up with a letter. Get your neighbours to do the same.

Keep a log of all the times/dates of fluctuations, things you notice etc.

If your neighbours aren't having any problems - it would be worthwhile following up yourself - get someone in to check it out. Bear in mind that just because your neighbours aren't noticing anything, it could still be the supply that is the problem.

[thatirwinfella]

as mentioned, ask your neighbours, but ask a bit further than just the people directly nextdoor to you. chances are these people are on different phases of the supply and if the problem is isolated to a single phase than they may not have problems at all... ask your neighbours in each house up to the third one along, this should have you covered for that.

also, listen out for noise in the garden. You may hear a distant neighbour starting up a large piece of machinery in a homeworkshop, or a neighbours aircon starting. Things like that can cause interferance on start up.