Reasons and ways to deal with low voltage in the electrical network

Low voltage in the network often leads to such unpleasant phenomena as malfunction of household appliances and their premature failure. It is necessary to understand the reasons for such situations and find out who is to blame in order to correctly solve the problem.

The main causes of the malfunction

In accordance with GOST, certain requirements are put forward for electrical networks. Voltage according to existing standards should be 220 volts. Permissible fluctuations from 198 to 242 V. Undervoltage, for example, up to 180 volts does not correspond to the established norm. In this situation, the devices consume the same current, but perform their functions for a longer time. For example, the kettle takes longer to boil, the light bulb is barely visible. In this case, it is more expedient to turn off electrical appliances so that they do not fail.

It is necessary to identify the cause of the decline, and then take corrective action. Power grid problems can be caused by:

• Old, worn-out wires with a lot of connections cannot withstand the load.
• Insufficient power of the installed transformer.
• Power imbalance, phase imbalance.
• The cross-section of the supply cable is insufficient for the design load.
• Poorly executed air branch.
• Weak contact at the input switch or machine.

The power can be reduced if the incoming cable is single-phase, and then each phase is a leg of a three-line circuit. Also, voltage can drop due to improper maintenance or repair of old power lines.

More often than not, these problems are observed simultaneously, so the elimination of one of them leads only to a partial solution to the problem. If you cannot independently identify the reasons, you need to contact an electrician for help.

The most affected are energy consumers who are located at a remote distance from the transformer substation line.

The effect of low voltage on electrical appliances

When there is no voltage in the network, devices that have an electric motor or compressor are most vulnerable. These are most of the household tools, refrigerators, washing machines, pumps. They receive the main damage when starting the engine. Such equipment has weak built-in protection that cannot cope with voltage drops.

Abnormal conditions affect the operation of the equipment and may reduce its service life. If the mains voltage has dropped, the user can notice this on household appliances and appliances. When the refrigerator and air conditioner are operating, extraneous sounds may appear. Heating devices take longer to reach the desired temperature. The person suffers from flashing lights and insufficient lighting.

Lowering the voltage has a detrimental effect on appliances and household appliances:

• deterioration of starting characteristics of engines;
• increase in current at start-up;
• changing the main parameters of electrical appliances;
• lowering the luminous flux of incandescent lamps;
• increase in current strength, as a result of overheating of wires, destruction of insulation;
• malfunctions of complex electronic equipment.

Low voltage practically does not affect the heating equipment, but compared to normal voltage, the power decreases. Appliances equipped with a power supply with wide input parameters are less prone to fluctuations.Electronically controlled devices are an exception.

Ways to solve the problem

First of all, you need to talk with your neighbors to determine: the problem is external or there are problems in the apartment, home ownership. In a high-rise building, this is easier to do. Private homeowners should interview neighbors whose homes are powered by the same lines.

If everyone has power outages, the power supply organization is the culprit. If the faults are related to the delivery of electricity, it is impossible to fix them on your own. The wait for the modernization of power lines or transformers can last for years.

If everything is in order with the neighbors, you need to turn off the input machine and measure the voltage at the terminals. Then turn on several appliances. If the voltage drops noticeably when switched on, the cause should be looked for in a specific room.

To determine why the voltage in the apartment sags, you need to inspect all the contacts:

• at the entrance to the switchboard;
• connection of wires in the shield itself;
• contacts of junction boxes and sockets.

A loose connection at the input or output of a circuit breaker often results in a voltage drop. Burning and deformation of the housing can be visually detected. In this case, the device must be replaced. The installation of the protective device may only be carried out by a professional with the appropriate approval group. Distribution boards, circuit breakers, must have a connection to the ground.

If the circuit breaker is in good working order, all contacts are tightened, you should check the cross-section of the input cable for compliance, if necessary, replace it.

All installation work up to the meter must be performed by a specialist of the management company or service provider, if a contract is concluded.

How to increase the voltage in the network to 220

If there are external reasons, you can raise the voltage level using a stabilizer. Such a device is installed in an apartment or house. For example, the reliable SKAT ST voltage regulator has a wide input voltage range and power from 3.5 to 12 kW. The cost of high-quality electronic devices is quite high, but it is cheaper than purchasing new equipment instead of out of order.

Local stabilizers can be installed for individual fixtures. In this case, the SKAT ST-2525 model with a power of 1.5 to 3 kW is suitable.

One of the ways to solve the problem is to supply three phases to a house or apartment. This will require coordination with the power supply, since you need to know where and how to disconnect the mains voltage from the main lines in an apartment and a private house. Then a switch is put on the input. In the process of energy consumption, the phase that is least loaded is used.

You can increase the voltage by connecting the home network through a transformer. The method is not entirely successful, as it can cause overvoltage, which will lead to the protection operation and shutdown of household appliances.

Installation of a voltage relay does not give results. When the parameters go out of the allowable value, the device will turn off the mains power. The outlets remain de-energized until the voltage returns to normal.

Where to call and complain

As a rule, the problem cannot be solved over the telephone. Replacing the trunk lines with a larger cross-section, installing a powerful transformer, requires a number of works and is associated with large capital investments. Therefore, residents' complaints about suppliers are often ignored.

The company providing the services must be officially filed a claim. Residents or homeowners must write an application to the electricity supplier or management company. The document is drawn up and submitted in duplicate. One remains with the applicant with a note on the date of registration.

Another way of communication is to send your requests by registered mail.The details of the supplier or the management company must be indicated in the power supply contract.

If, due to power outages due to the fault of the supplier, household appliances are out of order, the user has the right to compensation for the damage caused. To do this, proceed as follows:

1. Call the supplier's representative, who must record the fact of the accident and draw up an appropriate act.
2. Contact the service center for a conclusion about the reason for the failure of the equipment.
3. Submit a claim to the supplier for damages.
4. If the applicant is refused, the issue must be resolved in court.

When there is no adequate action, it is worth filing a complaint with the district administration, Rospotrebnadzor, and the public chamber. If action is not taken, you should contact the prosecutor's office, court and arbitration.

There is no one-size-fits-all solution to the low voltage problem. To turn to energy sales, you need to unite with neighbors, since collective statements are more effective. However, part of the costs will have to be borne by yourself. Otherwise, the case can drag on indefinitely.