This article describes what a voltage stabilizer is, why unstable voltage is dangerous, the causes and how to deal with it.

What is a voltage stabilizer?

There is an erroneous opinion that in case of voltage drops, it is enough to install a voltage relay to protect household appliances. The only thing the relay is capable of is to save from strong voltage drops, but only a voltage stabilizer will give the opportunity to "live a full life"!

Voltage stabilizer - a device that allows you to keep a stable voltage of 220 volts in the home network, regardless of the voltage that comes to the house.

That is, if the network undervoltage 110-200 V or increased 240-310 V, the voltage stabilizer makes it constantly normal - 220 V, plus it will protect devices during power surges up to 420 V. The stabilizer also has additional protections associated with emergency situations in power networks.

How to choose a voltage stabilizer, told

This video shows the real situation in Ukraine at the beginning of 2016:

Why is unstable voltage dangerous?

The most dangerous thing is low voltage for a refrigerator, air conditioner, water pump and other appliances with electric motors.

All mechanisms of this type have an electric motor (pump or compressor) that is designed to operate from a 220 V network, if the voltage in the network is lower, then it needs to increase the current to compensate, which significantly affects the life of the equipment. Plus, at the moment the electric motor starts, there is such a property as the starting current, which is 3-4 times more than the working one. At low voltage, there may be situations when huge currents are supplied to the electric motor, but it cannot start working, it only heats up intensively. And the electric motor needs to be started often, because. a downhole pump, a compressor in a refrigerator or air conditioner operates in the following mode: “started-worked-shutdown-rested-started-worked-switched-off-rested...etc.”

For example, a 1 kW downhole pump at a voltage of 220 V consumes a current of 4.5 Amperes, the details of the pump motor are designed for this current. If the voltage drops to 170 V, then in order for the pump to work, the current will increase and be almost 6 A, which is 30% higher than it is calculated. Similarly, the starting current also increases. As a result, the pump motor starts to overheat, the insulation melts, the winding closes and the motor fails. Moreover, this breakdown, of course, is not a warranty case.

Electric motors in the compressor of the refrigerator and air conditioner work similarly.

For appliances such as a microwave oven, electric kettle, iron, boiler, heater, incandescent lamps - at low voltage, performance drops sharply if in simple terms"They start to heat up badly."

Appliances such as gas boiler, washing machine, uninterruptible power supplies, economical lamps- at low voltage they may not turn on at all.

With voltage surges above 240 V household electrical appliances just fail, because just not designed for that kind of pressure.

Why is the voltage in the network unstable?

Causes of low voltage in the network.

Every day people build new houses, connect more and more new electronics. At the same time, no one changes the power grid, it remains in the same condition as 20-30 years ago, although electricity consumption has increased significantly. And when the consumption of electricity is greater than that for which the local electrical substation and electrical networks are designed, the voltage in the network begins to drop. Sometimes in the city the voltage drops to 150-180 V, what can we say about suburban buildings and villages.

The voltage drop is especially felt in the morning and evening, when the total consumption in the network increases. Since at this time most residents actively use electrical appliances, and the substation and power wires are not designed for such power consumption.

Causes of high voltage in the network.

The usual situation is when our valiant workers of the electrical networks take a simple and cheap way in the matter of "modernization of the electrical network."

To modernize the power grid, an integrated approach is needed - to calculate the consumption of electricity and, in accordance with them, replace power lines and a substation, it is possible to install another one additionally. All this is worth enormous costs, no one wants to spend money. Therefore, power grid workers deliberately raise the voltage at the substation above the norm. Or if it is old, they first change the transformer and then they still raise the voltage above normal.

For example, for those who are closer to the substation, the voltage in the network is 240-250 V, and for those who are three kilometers from the substation, instead of 140 V, it becomes 160 V and at least something from household appliances starts working.

Causes of voltage drops in the network.

Basically, this is a consequence of the two situations described above.

For example, during the day the voltage near the substation is 240 V, in remote parts of the network it is 160 V. In the evening, people turn on household appliances, the total consumption increases - a kilometer from the substation is 220 V, three kilometers from it is 130 V. At night, everyone goes to bed, the total electricity consumption is minimal , next to the substation 260 V, away from it 180 V. And so on.

It turns out that the mains voltage in the house is constantly changing. This is aggravated by the fact that the above situation is superimposed by the connection of powerful consumers by neighbors such as: welding machine, electric heaters and other powerful electrical appliances. As a result, in your house in the network there is an instant voltage drop.

There are also cases of malfunctions on the line or incorrect actions of workers in the power grid. In these cases, the voltage can reach 360-380 V for a short time.

How to deal with unstable voltage?

First option.

Obtain from the organization supplying electricity the performance of work on the replacement of the power grid and substations.

As practice shows in the realities of Ukraine, the necessary amount of work is not carried out, because. these are huge costs. At best, they do some minimum amount of work that does not meet all the requirements. It is also not uncommon when, at the time of work, “specialists” interrupt the required cable or confuse zero with a phase, as a result, electrical appliances burn out from power surges in half of the village.

Another nuance, the time from the moment you contact Oblenergo to the completion of any work usually takes not a year or two, you can wait decades, but you want to live now.

Second option.

Install a voltage stabilizer that will allow you to live normally right now and not waste extra time, money and nerves on repairing household appliances. The stabilizer also additional protection household appliances from emergencies in the network.

The best option.

Install a voltage stabilizer now and, as far as possible, seek from Oblenergo a competent modernization of the power grid.

A stabilizer is a device that electrical appliance, which is used to equalize mains voltage fluctuations when current is supplied to equipment such as computers, air conditioners, pumps, etc.

What is tension for? The regulator is mainly intended for:

• protect electrical equipment from various threats such as voltage fluctuations, high and low voltage;
• turn off equipment poor quality power supply, with an increase or decrease in the voltage threshold values;
• keep the voltage at the right level.

This machine has many unique features that save energy, affect performance and increase the reliability of equipment. The display of the device shows the main parameters electrical network, to be always aware of them - it means to own the situation. The turn-on delay feature provides breathing room and stabilizes the power before it is applied to the load, hence extending the life of the instruments.

And yet, why? Its use is the most affordable and effective measure of energy saving, saving appliances from failure and peace of mind of households.

If the device is chosen correctly, then you can always rely on it and trust it. If you don’t really understand technology, then you can rely on the seller’s suggestions and advice on choosing a voltage stabilizer. A professional will recommend to start:

• determine the power, type of stabilizer and operating voltage range;
• identify and analyze problems: increased, decreased or abruptly changing voltage in the power supply network.

Based on the data received, then proceed to the selection of the device.

How to correctly calculate the power of the device? Ideally, you need to determine which is the most powerful consumer present in the power supply scheme. Let's say that the power consumers are a pumping station with a capacity of 1.5 kW, a sauna - 10 kW, plus some other device with a large power consumption. All values ​​​​in kilowatts must be added up and get the desired power of the device.

The stabilizer is selected with a small margin of power (20%), especially if there is equipment with a large starting current in the circuit. We are talking about electric motors and pumps, which consume more energy during start-up than in normal operation.

The power reserve ensures a long life of the device, thanks to a gentle mode of operation, and creates a reserve potential for connecting new equipment.

When choosing a stabilizer, you also need to take into account after-sales service, because the device should be correct and, as well as take advantage of the warranty period and repair in case of a malfunction.

How to choose the right voltage stabilizer for your home?

You can use the simplest option: determine the power consumption from the network at the nominal value of the introductory machine in the apartment panel. Thus, the throughput of the machine and the maximum possible power consumption for domestic needs are recognized.

Let's take a simple example. How to choose if the input is automatic S40. With such rated current from the network you can get no more than 10 kW. Based on the calculated data, the device is selected.

Today, low voltage in the network is a very urgent problem and the best way to solve it is to purchase a stabilizer that will protect all the equipment in the house from failure. To choose the right device, you first need to understand its varieties, as well as the advantages of each design option.

Types of protective devices

The most popular types of stabilizers today are:

• electronic,
• electromechanical.

Electronic voltage stabilizers are devices best quality. Due to the absence of mechanical parts, they are characterized by a long service life, at least 15 years, and a fairly high reliability. It can be selected according to the operating voltage range for almost any task.

Electromechanical voltage stabilizers are characterized by low speed, narrow voltage range, but good overload capacity.

Useful information about voltage regulators about high accuracy

Many people try to choose a device with maximum stabilization accuracy, up to 0.5%. However, as a rule, a deviation of 10-15 V is considered the normal mode of operation for most equipment. And only in rare cases, the equipment does not work or is capricious with such deviations. Most of the stabilizers on the market provide exactly this mode of operation.

A common misconception among buyers is that the purchased device with high stabilization accuracy is a guarantee of stable voltage and no flickering of light. In fact, it turns out the opposite: the greater the accuracy of the device, the more often it switches, adjusting to the input network, so the bulbs do not stop flickering. This applies to incandescent and halogen lamps.

When installed and a relay type, the flickering of the bulbs will be completely preserved. The only exceptions are stabilizers with smooth signal control. This applies to new developments. When choosing a regulator, it is advisable to be guided by recommendations from the manufacturer or professionals. For fidelity, you can also read positive and negative reviews on the Internet for a specific model or brand.

Which one to choose single phase or three phase?

If three phases are brought into the house, it is not necessary to install at all. Most often, it turns out that you can get by with single-phase ones. In doing so, there are many benefits to be gained.

Firstly, at a cost, which in total for three single-phase ones is less than for a three-phase one. Secondly, in terms of maintainability, it is more reliable. It is one thing to remove one block and take it for repair, another thing is to remove the entire apparatus.

Commercial benefit from installing a voltage stabilizer

Domestic power grids are physically worn out, and in some places morally outdated. And there are more and more consumers. Installing stabilizers is beneficial for several reasons:

1. modern technology is equipped with electronic filling, which is important for high-quality nutrition. In order for it not to fail or not undergo expensive repairs, it is necessary to install a stabilizer;
2. Lower voltage results in more current draw from the network. You have to pay more for electricity consumption. The benefit of a stabilizer is obvious;
3. overvoltage can lead to short circuit, overheating of wires and fire. Without a stabilizer in this case, the material and moral damage can be colossal, and even irreparable;
4. under normal voltage, sudden impulses from lightning, human errors, phase imbalance during rush hour can also occur.

In all these and other unforeseen cases, a voltage stabilizer will help save time, money and nerves.

Possible consequences for devices (electrical consumers) in conditions of voltage deviation from the norm

• Reducing the voltage leads to a decrease luminous flux lamps. In poor light, the productivity and quality of the work performed is reduced.
• Poor lighting on the streets of the city leads to an increase in accidents.
• Increasing the voltage leads to a sharp decrease in the life of the bulbs, sometimes by half, or even three times.
• Household heating appliances (tiles, irons, etc.), designed for nameplate power, take longer to heat up when the voltage drops. And so it turns out an overexpenditure of electricity for domestic needs.

Here's what a voltage stabilizer is and why you need it.

Let's sum up a little

Valuable qualities of regulators are fast reaction of the device to changes in parameters in the network, extended operating voltage range, good overload capacity, sinusoid correct form at the output, noiselessness.

Unfortunately, the quality of electricity in power networks almost never meets the requirements of GOST. Poor power quality manifests itself as overvoltage or undervoltage, sudden voltage surges and fluctuations, high-frequency noise and high-voltage pulses, etc.

Household appliances, which make our life not only pleasant and convenient, but also cost a lot of money, are extremely sensitive to the quality of electricity. In fact, all of our home appliances: computers and other office equipment, audio / video equipment and televisions, refrigerators and washing machines, are constantly at risk of breakdown due to poor quality power supply.

In order not to lose comfort overnight and avoid unplanned expenses for the purchase of a new TV, refrigerator, washing machine, or a computer must be used Surge Protectors.

A voltage stabilizer is a device that allows you to maintain a stable and high-quality voltage in your home electrical network. This is a real protector that will keep your electrical appliances in working order and save your money, nerves and habitual way of life for a long time.

The figure clearly shows how the stabilizer converts broken, low-quality incoming sinusoids of electric current (left) into regular sinusoids (right). It is this transformation that allows you to keep your household appliances working for a long time.

Voltage stabilizers are used not only to protect individual household appliances, but also to provide high-quality power supply to city apartments, summer cottages, country houses and cottages in the full amount of power consumption.

Voltage stabilizer classification

According to the principle of operation, voltage stabilizers are divided into types:

Ferro-resonance stabilizers- the operation of this type of voltage stabilizers, based on the effect of voltage ferroresonance in the transformer-capacitor circuit. Currently, stabilizers of this type are out of use, because. they are characterized by a number of design flaws: low efficiency, high level noise, impossibility of idling and overloading, etc.

Stabilizers based on the principle of a magnetic amplifier- the principle of operation of these stabilizers is based on the effect of a non-linear characteristic of the magnetization of the transformer core. These are the only voltage stabilizers that operate in a wide range of atmospheric temperatures: from minus 45 to plus 45 °C. However, a high noise level, a narrow operating range of input voltages, a strong distortion of the shape of the sinusoid of the electric current and a large mass did not allow stabilizers of this type to be widely used.

Voltage stabilizers with step regulation are stabilizers. AC voltage, whose operation is based on switching between sections secondary winding transformer with a different number of turns. Switching occurs automatically, using such power switches as relays, thyristors, triacs, etc. The disadvantage of this type of stabilizers is that, due to the principle of operation, they cannot provide high accuracy of the output voltage. In addition, during the switching of sections, short-term voltage dips and interference occur, which limits the scope of their application.

Electromechanical Voltage Stabilizers- these stabilizers, with the help of an electronically controlled servo drive, stabilize the voltage by changing the position of the autotransformer brush. Electromechanical voltage stabilizers provide high accuracy of the output voltage and work with overloads, while not creating interference and operating in a wide voltage range. Stabilizers of this type have been used on a large scale in everyday life and industry.

Double Conversion Stabilizers- provide a stable sinusoidal voltage due to the fact that their design uses a transistor inverter with a pulse-width modulation controller and a rectifier. However, at the moment, stabilizers of this type are at the stage of industrial development.

Stabilizers with high-frequency transistor regulation- their work is based on the use of high-speed power transistors that are switched on high frequency for each period of mains voltage. This type is the most promising in the production of stabilizers. But currently it is only in the development stage.

Stabilizers are devices for automatically maintaining a constant value of electrical voltage at the inputs of receivers electrical energy(voltage stabilizer) or current strength in their circuits (current stabilizer), regardless of voltage fluctuations in the supply network and the load. The stabilizer provides the load with stabilized voltage only if the mains voltage is within certain limits. If the mains voltage goes beyond these limits (significant overvoltage, as well as its short-term deep dips or complete absence), the stabilizer will turn off the powered electrical appliances and they will be de-energized.

Stabilizers are single- and three-phase with powers from 100 VA to 250 kVA and more.

Types of stabilizers

Stabilizers are of the following types:

ferroresonant. They were developed in the mid-60s of the last century, their action is based on the use of the phenomenon of magnetic saturation of ferromagnetic cores of transformers or chokes. Such devices were used to stabilize the supply voltage of household appliances (TV, radio, refrigerator, etc.).

Advantages of ferroresonance stabilizers: high accuracy of maintaining the output voltage (1-3%), high (for that time) regulation speed. Disadvantages: increased noise level and dependence of the quality of stabilization on the magnitude of the load.

Modern ferroresonance stabilizers are devoid of these shortcomings, but their cost is equal to or higher than the cost of a UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) for the same power. As a result, ferroresonant stabilizers have not been widely used as household ones.

Electromechanical. In the 60-80s of the last century, autotransformers with manual regulation of the output voltage were used to regulate the voltage, as a result of which it was necessary to constantly monitor the device showing the output voltage (pointer or luminous ruler) and, if necessary, manually set the nominal one. Currently, the output voltage correction is carried out automatically, using an electric motor with a gearbox.

The advantage of such electromechanical stabilizers is the high accuracy of maintaining the output voltage (2-3%). Disadvantages - increased noise level (the motor makes noise, and almost constantly, because a voltage change of (2-4 V) is monitored and a low regulation speed due to the inertia of the motor. With a sharp increase in voltage, it can briefly turn off the load, because the output voltage may exceed the maximum allowable value.In this case, in most cases, such a high accuracy is not required, 5-7% is enough, as indicated in the passports for the most widespread household electrical appliances for general use.

Gained distribution as cheap household stabilizers.

Electronic (step regulation). The widest class of stabilizers that maintain the output voltage with a certain accuracy over a wide range of input voltage. The stabilization principle is based on automatic switching of transformer sections using power switches (relays, thyristors, triacs). Due to a number of advantages, electronic voltage stabilizers are most widely used in the stabilizer market.

Advantages: fast response, wide input voltage range, no input voltage waveform distortion, high efficiency. The disadvantage is a step change in the output voltage, which limits the stabilization accuracy within 0.9% -7%.

These stabilizers are the best price/quality ratio when used in industry and everyday life. Some models allow the possibility of correcting the output voltage within 210-230 V.

Climatic performance

Climatic version of most offered stabilizers IP20, they are designed for installation in rooms with temperature environment+5…+35°С, with relative air humidity of 35-90%, with an atmosphere free of dust, water splashes, etc. If the temperature in the room for the installation of stabilizers drops below 0°C, it is possible to perform it in heated enclosures.

Main parameters and functions

Input voltage range. Along with the accuracy of stabilization, is its most important characteristic. This range has two categories:

• working - when the input voltage is within the limits at which the declared stabilization value is provided at the output, for example 220 ± 5%;
• limit - when the stabilizer remains operational, but the output voltage differs from the declared value up or down by up to 15-18%). When the voltage at the input goes beyond the limit, the stabilizer turns off the electrical appliances, remaining itself connected to the network for control with the ability to connect electrical appliances again to work when the mains return to the working (limit) voltage range.

Output voltage stabilization accuracy depends on the input voltage, if it is in the operating range, then the stabilization accuracy is 0.9-5%, depending on the stabilizer model.

Overload capacity- the ability to withstand short-term overloads from electrical appliances with high starting currents (for example, an electric motor submersible pump, refrigerator, etc.).

Overload protection and short circuit at the exit. In the event of an overload of the stabilizer, when the power starts to be removed from the stabilizer by 5-50% exceeding the rated power for a long period of time (from 0.1 sec. to 1 min. or a little more), the protection system is triggered (the protection response time depends on the magnitude of the overload), which will turn off the stabilizer and thereby prevent its failure. If the stabilizer has the function of a single re-closing after 10 seconds. after it is turned off by overload, it will turn on again. If there is no overload when the stabilizer is turned on again, the stabilizer continues to operate normally. In the event of a short circuit in the circuit of electrical appliances connected to the stabilizer, the stabilizer will turn off. After that, it is imperative to identify and eliminate the cause of the short circuit, and only then turn on the stabilizer.

Output voltage control system. In the event of a stabilizer failure or an instantaneous increase in input voltage, such a system disconnects electrical appliances from the stabilizer and prevents their failure.

Output voltage regulation. The presence in some models of stabilizers of the ability to regulate the output voltage in the range of 210-230V, which helps to solve several problems at the same time:

• it is possible to install Western voltage standards of 230V at the output of the stabilizer for imported electrical appliances. Without such a function, the stabilizer will constantly go beyond the lower voltage range specified for these electrical appliances, which can cause malfunctions in their operation;
• for incandescent lamps, you can set a voltage of about 210V, which will significantly increase their service life, while the luminous flux will remain within the limits declared by the manufacturer.

Automatic activation of the stabilizer when the input voltage returns to the set range. Because the stabilizer turns off the load if the input voltage goes beyond the set limits, it must automatically turn on and connect the load if the input voltage returns to the set range, otherwise you will have to monitor the mains voltage, turn on the stabilizer manually.

Presence of surge suppression filters at the input and output of the stabilizer. This is a useful feature that will protect electrical appliances from radio frequency interference.