"Eddie Haskel" wrote in message
. ..
Really simple solution....go to the power pole, get out a set of garden
shears and cut ONLY the neutral wire to the house, sit back and watch the
fireworks display as things that should get 120 volts get about 20 and
things that should get 120 get about 200. The refridgerator motor will
stall
and the stereo should erupt in a ball of fire
You see...household wiring is 2 phase..thats two legs of 120 and a common
neutral return. When you cut it the loads unballance, putting some things
like heavy items (fridge) and light items (stereo) in series across 240
volts.....SPECTACTULAR!
One minor problem...CAN result in multiple fires...use with
caution....Eddie

If the home is up to code, cutting the neutral wire at the pole won't do
much.. since the neutral and ground are common at the service entrance.. as
long as they have a ground, the split phase will stay split, although the
voltage may go down on either end due to losses..