Dealing with electricity we have run into many "weird", "not basic". "interesting" effects of the grid, devices/faults etc. Some of them may even be part of explaining a "paranormal" experience (having worked in IT and being known as a sparky between local friends, i stumbled myself into much "interesting" effects, and heard some more "my home/cubicle is haunted" stories from users som of which i was asked to advise on resolving)

Right now, searching for some explanation on a topic, i found a website that explains very clearly many of those "not basic" effects, which they call "power quality". I read a couple articles and i really enjoyed this website

http://www.marcspages.co.uk/pq/0000.htm