What is the best voltage stabilizer for an apartment

The parameters of the power grid for residents of cities and megalopolises, as a rule, are more stable, but the likelihood of a voltage drop is still there. As practice shows, even minor jumps can adversely affect the performance and service life of modern electronics and household appliances. To prevent adverse consequences, voltage stabilizers have been invented.

When is it recommended to install a voltage stabilizer in an apartment

It is recommended to install voltage stabilizers in all cases, without exception, especially if there are many expensive electrical appliances at home that are susceptible to power surges.

The requirements of the International Electrotechnical Commission state that the voltage in everyday life should fluctuate within 230V + - 10%. But at the same time, in many regions of Russia, the old standards are still in force, under which the permissible range is within 220 V + - 10%.

To calculate the network parameters in a specific case, you need to take measurements for a long time at different times of the day. It is better to contact a specialist who will use the equipment that automatically analyzes all the information received by him during the day.

If regular voltage drops are observed, you can write a complaint to the local power supply company, citing non-compliance with standards (GOST 29322-2014).

What technique needs voltage stabilization

There is a category of household appliances that is immune to voltage surges, and even minor surges can have an extremely negative effect on other appliances. Complete equipment failure is possible.

• Boilers equipped with electronics. Obsolete mechanically controlled models are less susceptible to fluctuations, and expensive modern models quickly fail.
• Vacuum cleaners and air conditioners. These devices are equipped with asynchronous motors, which, at low voltage, begin to absorb more current than it should be, this leads to the fact that the windings of the electric motor overheat.
• Dishwashers do not automatically turn off in case of power surges, which leads to overheating and failure of the relay, coil or the engine itself.
• Outdated refrigerator models. Their disadvantage is the same as that of air conditioners and vacuum cleaners. At low voltage, the engine gets very hot and runs noisily.

Power surges negatively affect the performance of microwave ovens, old televisions, fluorescent and energy-saving lamps.

Which stabilizer to choose

There are several types of stabilizers. Outdated ferroresonant devices are no longer used, so it is impractical to consider them in detail.

• Inverter. An innovative development that is structurally different from all existing analogues. The principle of operation is based on the advanced technology of double conversion of energy. Such models have no drawbacks, except for the high cost.
• Relay modifications are based on switching the transformer windings with a special relay. The preference is given to the winding, the voltage on which is closest to the nominal value.The main advantages are reasonable cost and high response speed. But there is one significant drawback - the average stabilization accuracy, which may not be enough for sensitive modern technology.
• Thyristor and triac are similar in principle to relay stabilizers, however, switching between inductors is carried out by high-speed and highly efficient parts - triacs and thyristors. The characteristic features are superior to all analogues. They are often used in domestic conditions, but they cannot ensure 100% safety of household appliances.
• Electromechanical ones carry out voltage stabilization due to the movement of a special contact along the transformer winding. The main advantages of models of this type are low cost and high stabilization accuracy. The main drawback makes the device practically not used in apartments - low response speed.

When choosing a voltage stabilizer, you should pay attention to the power of the device, its range of operation and accuracy.

Power selection

The principle of calculating the power for all types of stabilizers is the same - the power of all used electrical devices is summed up and a margin of 20% is added.

The table lists the approximate power ranges of electrical appliances most commonly used in apartments.

The power of some devices may differ slightly. The accompanying documentation for the devices contains all the required information.

Stabilizer selection by range and accuracy

The working range is indicated on all devices. This parameter is the value of the input voltage at which the regulator must correct the output voltage. If the value exceeds the permissible values, the device will automatically de-energize all electrical appliances in the apartment.

To calculate the operating range of a household stabilizer, you need to take control measurements of the incoming voltage in the network for several days. It is preferable to take measurements in the morning and in the evening, when the load on the electrical lines is maximum. The extreme values ​​obtained as a result will be the acceptable values ​​for the operating range of the stabilizer.

Accuracy means the maximum difference to the greater or lesser side of the output parameter from the nominal. Almost all electrical devices operate with a stabilization accuracy of 220 V + - 5-7%.

It is recommended to purchase voltage stabilizers for owners of apartments, country houses and summer cottages. This is due to the instability of electrical lines and the high susceptibility of some category of household appliances to voltage surges.