How to choose a voltage regulator for an apartment?
The quality of electricity among residents of urban apartments is usually higher than that of owners of private houses and, especially, summer residents. Of course, urban electricity networks are also far from always ideal, but the fluctuations encountered in them are still less than in rural areas and the private sector.
The quality of electricity among residents of urban apartments is usually higher than that of owners of private houses and, especially, summer residents. Of course, urban electricity networks are also far from always ideal, but the fluctuations encountered in them are still less than in rural areas and the private sector. However, even small differences in the supply voltage can interfere with the normal functioning of modern household appliances and electronics. Therefore, a voltage stabilizer is often necessary in urban environments.
In which case a voltage stabilizer is needed in the apartment?
If a stabilizer is almost always needed for a private house and cottage, then everything is not so simple with city apartments. Firstly, the remoteness of apartment buildings from power plants is less, therefore, critically low voltage indicators are less common than in the countryside. Secondly, strong network swings in the city are the exception rather than the rule.
The presence of voltage fluctuations is easy to determine with the naked eye. Noise in the speakers and on the screens of the video reproducing devices, the blinking of the lights, the change in the sound of the refrigerator or the washing machine clearly indicate that a voltage regulator is needed.
But what if such signs are not observed — can one be sure of the absence of voltage drops and the safety of one’s equipment? Unfortunately not. Small fluctuations in the network may not manifest itself visually, but slowly “grind” the electronic stuffing of modern household appliances, adversely affecting its durability and performance.
You can check your electricity network for the quality of the electricity coming from it by using the help of an electrician or yourself. It is enough, using a multimeter, to measure the voltage at the outlet during minimum consumption (for example, at the height of the working day) and during maximum load (morning, evening or weekend). The data obtained should be compared with indicators of permissible deviations, which should not exceed 10% of the rated voltage:
for 230V networks — not less than 207V and not more than 253V;
for 220V networks — not less than 198 and not more than 242V.
If the measured voltage is in the installed aisles, stabilization is not required, with the exception of equipment requiring power supply, the quality of which exceeds the existing standards (for the household sector this technique is a clear exception). In case of power surges above or below the specified standards, you should think about buying a stabilizer. The need for it will grow along with an increase in the voltage deviation from the standard value.