Losing power to whole house, not tripping circuit breaker?

[gergex]

Hi, recently moved into 30 year old home. We were renovating it for a few months and didn't notice this issue. 3-4 times over last month the power has gone out to the entire home, without flipping any circuits. When we've been home for it (twice) it has only lasted a few seconds. I'm yet to ask my neighbour if they've experienced anything, which I'll do. Any ideas what might be happening?

 

[lawrence101]

Hi, recently moved into 30 year old home. We were renovating it for a few months and didn't notice this issue. 3-4 times over last month the power has gone out to the entire home, without flipping any circuits. When we've been home for it (twice) it has only lasted a few seconds. I'm yet to ask my neighbour if they've experienced anything, which I'll do. Any ideas what might be happening?

Sounds like there's a lose mains wire somewhere, this usually occurs in the house panel's main breaker or possibly even out on the linesman's pole.

 

[gergex]

Sounds like there's a lose mains wire somewhere, this usually occurs in the house panel's main breaker or possibly even out on the linesman's pole.

Ok, thanks. That makes sense. Is that something easily identifiable for an electrician?

 

[lawrence101]

Ok, thanks. That makes sense. Is that something easily identifiable for an electrician?

I've come across that issue a few times , most of the time it has been happening at the main breaker usually because of corrosion from moisture or water getting in through the service conduit or LB cover. There was one case in which a neutral wire at the linesman pole had broken off during a snow storm, but that rarely happens .
If the main breaker is faulty its best to leave the replacement to a qualified electrician but one easy test for the homeowner is to listen for arcing at the panel or feel the front face of the breaker to see if its getting hot but of course don't touch the live terminals, use commonsense.