Voltage Variations on Different Types of Equipment
Voltage stabilizers protect electrical equipment and machinery from voltage variations. A voltage stabilizer accepts a wide range of input voltage but maintains a stable output voltage.
Voltage variations are common in several areas of the world. Whilst a voltage stabilizer protects the equipment or machinery, without one varying electrical loads can impact equipment.
Effects of supply voltage variations on different types of equipment
Lighting
Voltage Reductions Effects
A 10% voltage drop can reduce the lumen output by more than 25% (15% for fluorescent tubes). The infrared lamp heat output can also be reduced by more than 20%.
Voltage Increases Effects
A 10% voltage rise can half the life expectancy of the incandescent lamp.
Radio and TV Transmission
Voltage Reductions Effects
Volt drop will reduce the quality of the transmission and coverage range.
Voltage Increase Effects
Overvoltage by 2% will significantly reduce tube life.
Photographic Processing
Voltage Reductions Effects
A 5% voltage drop could increase exposure times by 30 percent and could significantly reduce the quality of a colour printing.
Voltage Increase Effects
Voltage increase during printing cycles can lead to inferior results.
X-Ray Equipment
Voltage Reduction Effects
A 1 % change in the filament voltage of an X-Ray tube will produce an 8% change in the anode current.
Voltage Increase Effects
When used at its maximum rating, an X-Ray tube will be permanently damaged in the case of a 5% volt rise.
Magnetic Equipment
Voltage Reductions Effects
A 10% voltage drop can cause relays or contactors to open chatter. Solenoids will become sluggish, and vibration will appear and can cause malfunctions and overheating.
Voltage Increase Effects
Overvoltage can lead to magnetic core saturation, high current and of course, overheating. Wear and distortion will also be increased.
Voltage Increases Effects – Induction Heating
Heat output is reduced by more than 20% on a 10% volt drop.
Voltage Reductions Effects – Induction Heating
Heat output varies approximately with the square of voltage.
Welding Equipment
Voltage Reductions Effects
A 10% volt drop will increase a welding cycle by 20% if weld quality is to be maintained.
Voltage Increases Effects
A 10% volt rise will overheat a weld, reducing quality and causing possible “burn through”.
Transformers
Voltage Reductions Effects
At 100 kVA a 10% drop will reduce the transformer rating to 90%.
Voltage Increase Effects
A 10% rise will considerably increase core losses and decrease efficiency proportionally.
AC Motors
Voltage Reductions Effects
A 10% volt drop reduces torque by approximately 18%. Motor life expectancy is reduced due to overheating.
Voltage Increases Effects
A 10% volt rise causes a higher starting current and reduces power factor by approximately 5%.
Conclusion
Renewable energy such as solar and wind power do contribute to greener grids, but they depend heavily on weather conditions.
Energy production at a solar or wind farm may be lower than expected.
On a cloudy day or a on day without wind, due to fact the the solar and wind farm has a lower output, the voltage in the grid can be reduced causing a voltage dip.
On a sunny day or a day with good wind, the output of the solar and wind farms may reach the top level, which can cause voltage swells.
Variation in conventional power can also be produced by lightning strikes, which cause a short voltage surge or a voltage drop.
To keep your home or business protected from voltage variations always use a voltage stabilizer.
