Electric supply voltage.

[pete]

My electric supply has been checked by an electrician at 217 volts. Is
there any statutory duty by a power supplier to ensure the supply is
closer to 240 volts please?
pete

["nightjar" .uk.com>]

Post by pete
My electric supply has been checked by an electrician at 217 volts. Is
there any statutory duty by a power supplier to ensure the supply is
closer to 240 volts please?

We dropped 240V as a national standard, in favour of the EU standard of
230V, some years ago. The statutory requirement is now 230V +10% -6%, or
216V - 253V. Your voltage is within the permitted range and any nominal 230V
equipment should have no problems working on it. The only effect you might
find is that filament lamps will probably tend to last a bit longer.

Colin Bignell

[pete]

On Mon, 7 Mar 2005 19:38:18 -0000, "nightjar"

Post by "nightjar" .uk.com>

Post by pete
My electric supply has been checked by an electrician at 217 volts. Is
there any statutory duty by a power supplier to ensure the supply is
closer to 240 volts please?

We dropped 240V as a national standard, in favour of the EU standard of
230V, some years ago. The statutory requirement is now 230V +10% -6%, or
216V - 253V. Your voltage is within the permitted range and any nominal 230V
equipment should have no problems working on it. The only effect you might
find is that filament lamps will probably tend to last a bit longer.

If that was all I would have no problem. Unfortunately when I put the
shower on at the same time other appliances are working the shower
shuts down or and the fluorescent lights flicker. My computer has been
shut down before now:-(
pete

[Colin Wilson]

Post by pete
If that was all I would have no problem. Unfortunately when I put the
shower on at the same time other appliances are working the shower
shuts down or and the fluorescent lights flicker. My computer has been
shut down before now:-(

Are you overhead fed or underground ?

It may be that length of feed before it gets to you, and the load
elsewhere on that leg of overhead is such that it causes volt drop to the
levels you`re experiencing.

Do you know what you`re fused up at ? (the meter rating or cutout might
give you a clue)

You might need to contact your REC with a voltage complaint - they should
install a voltage recorder and report back with the results.

I`ve got some info on the Guaranteed Standards which mentions voltage
complaints online here:

http://www.coreutilities.co.uk/Guaranteed_Standards_17-12-03.doc

The date is when I downloaded them, not the date they were updated - I
haven`t been able to find an updated copy since via the OFGEM or
Energywatch websites :-/

[pete]

Post by Colin Wilson

Post by pete
If that was all I would have no problem. Unfortunately when I put the
shower on at the same time other appliances are working the shower
shuts down or and the fluorescent lights flicker. My computer has been
shut down before now:-(

Are you overhead fed or underground ?

The feed is underground.

Post by Colin Wilson
It may be that length of feed before it gets to you, and the load
elsewhere on that leg of overhead is such that it causes volt drop to the
levels you`re experiencing.

It would mean that others in the roads would be having the same
problem then as we are only number 12 in a road that goes up over 50.

Post by Colin Wilson
Do you know what you`re fused up at ? (the meter rating or cutout might
give you a clue)

No I don't and I am having an electrician come in and sort it out for
me.

Post by Colin Wilson
You might need to contact your REC with a voltage complaint - they should
install a voltage recorder and report back with the results.

That maybe what will happen. Thanks for the link below which I found
very interesting.
pete

Post by Colin Wilson
I`ve got some info on the Guaranteed Standards which mentions voltage
http://www.coreutilities.co.uk/Guaranteed_Standards_17-12-03.doc
The date is when I downloaded them, not the date they were updated - I
haven`t been able to find an updated copy since via the OFGEM or
Energywatch websites :-/

["nightjar" .uk.com>]

Post by pete
On Mon, 7 Mar 2005 19:38:18 -0000, "nightjar"

Post by "nightjar" .uk.com>

Post by pete
My electric supply has been checked by an electrician at 217 volts. Is
there any statutory duty by a power supplier to ensure the supply is
closer to 240 volts please?

We dropped 240V as a national standard, in favour of the EU standard of
230V, some years ago. The statutory requirement is now 230V +10% -6%, or
216V - 253V. Your voltage is within the permitted range and any nominal 230V
equipment should have no problems working on it. The only effect you might
find is that filament lamps will probably tend to last a bit longer.

If that was all I would have no problem. Unfortunately when I put the
shower on at the same time other appliances are working the shower
shuts down or and the fluorescent lights flicker. My computer has been
shut down before now:-(

That sounds like a more general problem with your supply capacity, of which
the low voltage is just a symptom. This sort of thing is most common at the
end of a long overhead supply. When I was in the electricity supply
industry, we used to refer to areas with overhead supplies as wet string
districts, as the supplies had all the carrying capacity of wet string. It
is possible to tweak the distribution network in most cases, but I'm not
sure how easy it is to get that done these days. When I worked for the
industry, it was nationalised and dealt with everything from the national
grid substation to your meter but today you are probably not buying
electricity from the people who supply it.

You will probably get some useful feedback if you post your problem on
uk.d-i-y

Colin Bignell

[pete]

On Mon, 7 Mar 2005 20:48:29 -0000, "nightjar"

Post by "nightjar" .uk.com>
That sounds like a more general problem with your supply capacity, of which
the low voltage is just a symptom. This sort of thing is most common at the
end of a long overhead supply. When I was in the electricity supply
industry, we used to refer to areas with overhead supplies as wet string
districts, as the supplies had all the carrying capacity of wet string. It
is possible to tweak the distribution network in most cases, but I'm not
sure how easy it is to get that done these days. When I worked for the
industry, it was nationalised and dealt with everything from the national
grid substation to your meter but today you are probably not buying
electricity from the people who supply it.
You will probably get some useful feedback if you post your problem on
uk.d-i-y
Colin Bignell

Thanks Colin. I am getting the electricians in to sort it out thanks.
pete

[Peter]

On Mon, 7 Mar 2005 19:38:18 -0000, "nightjar"

Post by "nightjar" .uk.com>

Post by pete
My electric supply has been checked by an electrician at 217 volts. Is
there any statutory duty by a power supplier to ensure the supply is
closer to 240 volts please?

We dropped 240V as a national standard, in favour of the EU standard of
230V, some years ago. The statutory requirement is now 230V +10% -6%, or
216V - 253V. Your voltage is within the permitted range and any nominal 230V
equipment should have no problems working on it. The only effect you might
find is that filament lamps will probably tend to last a bit longer.

Out of curiosity, could you cite your source please. It is my
understanding that UK and Australia were holding out against going
from 240 volts to 230 volts on the grounds that they would need to
beef up parts of their 230/ 400 volt networks. I am from New Zealand
where 230 volts started to become standard from 1916 and was lmost
completely standard by 1930 or so (apart from odd DC supplies feeding
lifts, wharf cranes etc)..

["nightjar" .uk.com>]

Post by pete
On Mon, 7 Mar 2005 19:38:18 -0000, "nightjar"

Post by "nightjar" .uk.com>

Post by pete
My electric supply has been checked by an electrician at 217 volts. Is
there any statutory duty by a power supplier to ensure the supply is
closer to 240 volts please?

We dropped 240V as a national standard, in favour of the EU standard of
230V, some years ago. The statutory requirement is now 230V +10% -6%, or
216V - 253V. Your voltage is within the permitted range and any nominal 230V
equipment should have no problems working on it. The only effect you might
find is that filament lamps will probably tend to last a bit longer.

Out of curiosity, could you cite your source please.

It is an EU Directive, although I can't give you the number.

Post by pete
It is my
understanding that UK and Australia were holding out against going
from 240 volts to 230 volts on the grounds that they would need to
beef up parts of their 230/ 400 volt networks.

There was no effect on existing networks, because the tolerance allowed them
to remain unchanged. It was more a case of setting the standard to which new
transmission equipment would be installed.

Post by pete
I am from New Zealand
where 230 volts started to become standard from 1916 and was lmost
completely standard by 1930 or so (apart from odd DC supplies feeding
lifts, wharf cranes etc)..

That makes NZ virtually unique in the world for the era. In 1930 the UK had
both AC and DC supplies, in many different voltages and frequencies.

Colin Bignell

[Peter]

On Tue, 8 Mar 2005 04:55:33 -0000, "nightjar"

Post by "nightjar" .uk.com>

Post by Peter
Out of curiosity, could you cite your source please.

It is an EU Directive, although I can't give you the number.

Thanks, that makes sense - so it is now only Australia which seems to
be holding out.

Post by "nightjar" .uk.com>
There was no effect on existing networks, because the tolerance allowed them
to remain unchanged. It was more a case of setting the standard to which new
transmission equipment would be installed.

The voltage is in almost all cases easily adjusted from 240 to 230
volts without changing equipment. Whether this is being done in
practice I do not know. The main thing to be watched is lowering the
voltage lowers the heat output from heating appliances, so they are on
for slightly longer periods thus increasing current in 230 volt lines
and cables. This world require a small percentage of the works to be
upgraded but at a significant overall cost.

[Dave Mayall]

Post by pete
On Mon, 7 Mar 2005 19:38:18 -0000, "nightjar"

Post by "nightjar" .uk.com>

Post by pete
My electric supply has been checked by an electrician at 217 volts. Is
there any statutory duty by a power supplier to ensure the supply is
closer to 240 volts please?

We dropped 240V as a national standard, in favour of the EU standard of
230V, some years ago. The statutory requirement is now 230V +10% -6%, or
216V - 253V. Your voltage is within the permitted range and any nominal 230V
equipment should have no problems working on it. The only effect you might
find is that filament lamps will probably tend to last a bit longer.

Out of curiosity, could you cite your source please.

BS 7692, implementing CENELEC HD 472 S1

The Electricity Supply (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 1994

[Jason]

Post by pete
My electric supply has been checked by an electrician at 217 volts. Is
there any statutory duty by a power supplier to ensure the supply is
closer to 240 volts please?
pete

Pete,
The UK Mains supply has been 230VAC for some time, this was done for
harmonising EU supplies.
Most equipment specifies 230AC +/-10%, which means your 217VAC should be
fine.

This will not effect your electricity bill, or the operation of most
devices.
There could be a number of reasons why your supply is lower, either bad
connections on your fusebox, bad/low rated wiring, long cable run to sub
station?
I wouldn't worry about it, unless its causing a problem.
If you're getting "brownouts", where the voltage goes very low for a few
seconds, *then* its down the the electricity company.

Jason

[Clough]

Post by Jason
There could be a number of reasons why your supply is lower, either bad
connections on your fusebox, bad/low rated wiring, long cable run to sub
station?

Bad connections and low rated wiring are a fire risk and a lot to
worry about.

If the electrician measured the voltage with no load, then low rated
wiring and bad connections would not cause a voltage drop.

The voltage would only drop when a load is applied to the circuit.

If the voltage does drop when a load is applied, then there is
resistance in the supply which can lead to overheating and fire.

Clough

[pete]

Post by Clough

Post by Jason
There could be a number of reasons why your supply is lower, either bad
connections on your fusebox, bad/low rated wiring, long cable run to sub
station?

Bad connections and low rated wiring are a fire risk and a lot to
worry about.
If the electrician measured the voltage with no load, then low rated
wiring and bad connections would not cause a voltage drop.
The voltage would only drop when a load is applied to the circuit.
If the voltage does drop when a load is applied, then there is
resistance in the supply which can lead to overheating and fire.

Thanks but the house was re-wired only a few years ago. The
electrician tested the supply coming into the house with no load on
it.
pete

[Mike Granby]

Post by Jason
The UK Mains supply has been 230VAC for some
time, this was done for harmonising EU supplies.

Did it change? Or did the spec just change?

["nightjar" .uk.com>]

Post by Mike Granby

Post by Jason
The UK Mains supply has been 230VAC for some
time, this was done for harmonising EU supplies.

Did it change? Or did the spec just change?

The specification changed. The permitted tolerance, 230V +10% - 6% allowed
everyone to keep their old voltages, whatever they were. It is only as
equipment is replaced that it will be changed to the 230V standard.

Colin Bignell

[Mike]

Post by Mike Granby

Post by Jason
The UK Mains supply has been 230VAC for some
time, this was done for harmonising EU supplies.

Did it change? Or did the spec just change?

This is all quite some time ago. If I remember correctly, the
effective variation in voltage when it was nominally 240V was within
the revised spec for a nominal 230V, so there was no need to make any
change to the voltage delivered to consumers.

Mike.

[pete]

Post by Jason

Post by pete
My electric supply has been checked by an electrician at 217 volts. Is
there any statutory duty by a power supplier to ensure the supply is
closer to 240 volts please?
pete

Pete,
The UK Mains supply has been 230VAC for some time, this was done for
harmonising EU supplies.
Most equipment specifies 230AC +/-10%, which means your 217VAC should be
fine.
This will not effect your electricity bill, or the operation of most
devices.
There could be a number of reasons why your supply is lower, either bad
connections on your fusebox, bad/low rated wiring, long cable run to sub
station?
I wouldn't worry about it, unless its causing a problem.
If you're getting "brownouts", where the voltage goes very low for a few
seconds, *then* its down the the electricity company.

Thanks Jason. I will have to get in touch with the electricity people.
There has already been a suggestion that they will 'up' it to 100
amps. I will have to see what happens thanks.
pete