Power breaker panel off, neutral 13 volts to earth.

[andy everett]

With the main breaker off read 13 volts from neutral bar to damp concrete floor with a non digital voltmeter. Outside house is a transformer in a metal box, power runs underground from street, about

300 feet, metal transformer box reads about 13 volts AC from metal case to damp ground.

With no current running the neutral should be at zero volts AC?

With bare feet get shock from outside metal faucet. With bare feet get shock from freezer in basement (damp floor).

Does this sound like the power companies problem?

Thanks for any ideas.

[PhotoMan]

I'll leave the electrical comments to those better qualified, but there's NO WAY I'd ever touch an electrical device in my bare feet on a concrete floor (damp OR dry)!!! Joe Arnold

[JM]

quoting:

Sounds like you have a bad ground. Normally what should happen is your house ground should kill any voltage on the neutral coming in from the street. House grounds are usually connected to water pipes. If the water pipe is not getting a proper ground, then it explains why you're getting shocks from your outside faucet. Given a bad ground, instead of the desired effect (ground), everything that is supposed to be "grounded" is being energized.

[Larry Caldwell]

It sounds like you have more than one problem, but call the power company right away. Something is shorted, and it could explode at any time. The transformer should have its own ground rod, which is either not functioning or the buried line is putting enough juice into the ground that it is ground looping to the house and transformer grounds. Your house ground needs to be checked, and might need to be upgraded. That isn't the power company's problem. If you don't have two electrodes driven a minimum of 8' deep and at least 6' apart, think about adding a grounding system that is up to modern code.

[w_tom]

You must verify and install is what the original poster is also discussing in the thread "Grounding Rod Info" of this newsgroup (alt.home.repair) starting about 8 Jul. That earthing is your responsibility. It is essential both for human safety and for separate transistor safety reasons.

Additionally, notify the electric utility of your problem. They may also want to verify the condition and installation of their transformer - since this might be a precursor to a future utility equipment failure. 13 volts is too high if their transformer is properly earthed and not distant.

andy everett wrote:

[Speedy Jim]

Call the Utility Co. This is their problem and they may be glad you called.

Jim

[Frank Ketchum]

Yes, but whatever you do (calling the power company or a licensed electrician) do it NOW. This can be an extremely hazardous, even deadly situation.

[andy everett]

Done, thanks for all input! Will post what the experts find out.