Voltage Optimisation

Posted by: Nigel on 03 March 2013

Hi Everyone

 

Please could someone give me some advice on voltage optimisation?  As background my current configuration is: NDX->nDAC->PS555DR->282->200

 

Over the last few years my house has suffered from light bulbs not lasting as long as they should.  Over the last couple of months I’ve just got totally fed up of having to replace bulbs; six in one day.  At this point I called the electrician as there was obviously something wrong.  The electrician came out the next day and promptly announced I had too much power!  He showed me a reading from his meter indicating 251 volts from the sockets (apparently the maximum is 253 volts).  This he told me was the cause of my wows and I needed a Voltage Optimisation device.  These devices are installed between the electricity meter and the consumer unit by a qualified electrician.  Once installed they regulate the power to the entire home by ensuring a consistent voltage of around 218 volts.

 

Does anyone have any experience with these type of devices? And how would this affect the Naim system? And finally, can anyone recommend a good voltage optimizer manufacture?

 

Thank you for all your help in advance.

 

Nigel

Posted on: 03 March 2013 by pt109

Did you contact your power supplier?

Posted on: 03 March 2013 by Nigel
Originally Posted by pt109:

Did you contact your power supplier?

Hi

 

Tried to call them this morning.  Unfortunately, they are not around on Sunday, so a job for tomorrow. I will give them a call again tomorrow.  Once I've spoken to them, I will post what they said, although I've been told they are within tolerance just (max is 253 volts).

 

Thanks for your reply.

 

Nigel


 

Posted on: 04 March 2013 by rca/sun

it is within scope............... during small loading  through the night it is possible for voltage to rise upto 250.   although the nominal voltage is 230v  most will run between 240 - 250. mine runs at 242 in the daytime

Posted on: 04 March 2013 by Nigel

Hi

 

Eventually managed to speak to the distributor today.  RCA/Sun is correct its within tolerance, the range being 213v to 253v.  So, looks like I need to investigate some form of voltage optimisation.

 

Does anyone have any experience of such devices? 

 

Thanks for your help so far.

 

Nigel

 

Posted on: 05 March 2013 by rca/sun

don't do it its a con

Posted on: 05 March 2013 by rca/sun

you could have high resistance/poor connection on lighting .if is one circuit it may be bad connection at switch/ceilingrose/or bad connection at lamp.could be due to arcing at springloaded connection. or simply poor quality lanmps

Posted on: 05 March 2013 by Nigel

Hi

 

I would be tempted to agree with you, but this is happening in four different rooms in the house.  I've asked the electrician to come back and perform an earth loop impedance test, I understand this should be 0.8 ohm or below.  Hopefully, this is going to show if there is a fault somewhere.  I will let you know how I get on; tbh I just need it sorting so it would be result to understand properly why this is happening.

 

Thanks for your help.

 

Nigel

Posted on: 05 March 2013 by sheffieldgraham
Originally Posted by rca/sun:

you could have high resistance/poor connection on lighting .if is one circuit it may be bad connection at switch/ceilingrose/or bad connection at lamp.could be due to arcing at springloaded connection. or simply poor quality lanmps

I experienced something similar with one of my lights. Blew 2 in 3 days. Tightened the cable connection to the bulb holder and all was well. Is the problem limited to one circuit. It could be a corroded connection in part of the circuitry.

Posted on: 05 March 2013 by rca/sun

the loop in method used in lighting circuits are a common area where loose connections can occur ,ceiling rose...