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I am due next week to renew my Retirement Ext. but I have lost my list of paperwork that is required could some kind sole give me a list also somebody told me that health insurance is now a requirement is that true

Bluescouse

At the moment the leaves are selling for about 1baht each and they are for export as I have said before I know that it grows here because there are a few places around me that grow it but I am more in need of help about what problems that I may get growing it as far as pest and diseases

OK guys, let's get it straight! The betel nut is from the areca palm. The leaf is from the piper betle, known in English as the betel vine, in Thai as ploo.

Thanks for clearing that up but I would still like to know if anybody grows it in any number there are a few people around where I live that grow it on a large scale but I am trying to find out if there are any problems in growing only the money seems quite good to sell the leaves which makes me think that it is not as easy as I am told

Are you sure it's betle vine......the one that they chew is called betle nut and comes from a palm tree called the 'betle palm'.

There is a leaf from a vine that they wrap the betle nut in and add a pinch of hydrated lime to activate the chems in the chaw.

I am only going by what the other half says this is the leaf that they wrap the nut in and it is used for other medical purposes

I was wondering if anybody has grown Betel Vine in any great number only my other half has decided to grow 600 plants of which i know nothing about I have been through the Internet but I have not found much related to Thailand about growing this plant all I know is that it is what the MIL chews which leaves her mouth in a red colour (and is disgusting)

This is what I think the situation is:

a] The OP has a single phase supply & therefore a single phase Distribution Board (DB).

b] The PEA have not added a phase. If they did, the OP's DB would need to be changed to accommodate the extra phase. Of course, I'm assuming that the OP has a single phase DB.

c] The likely cause of the OP's problems probably relates to the following:

The only thing I am sure about is that it comes from the main road where there are a few factories the cable run that I have to pay for is about 500mtrs...

The length of the cable (500m) is the probable cause of the problem.

Obviously, the original cable size is now too small with respect to the demand & so voltage drop is evident. The PEA have solved half of the problem by adding an extra cable to the existing phase. What they haven't done is add an extra cable for the Neutral, which would probably provide a complete fix.

What they should've done is either:

1] Add 2 extra cables - one Neutral & one Active of the same size & type or,

2] Remove the existing cables & install larger cables to handle the load.

With regard to 2], the load must be known. Essentially, a Maximum Demand calculation must be done (there are 4 ways to do this calc).

I don't think that the Tx is overloaded.

The new cable that they added was is the same size has the existing cables the new cable has just been run from the transformer not the main road that I was hoping for (problems not understanding Thai)

Not entirely correct. PEA only ran one new cable, you had two wires and now you have three wires. So you are still sharing half the single phase circuit with other users (the neutral or return line), assuming it is still single phase. Your service has improved, it now only drops to 185 volts instead of 160 volts. I would like to know just what a 3-wire connection means to PEA.

It dropped to 180 with only 3 items on I would guess that if I put it on full load (another 3 water heaters, a air con unit and the bore pump ) I would guess that it would be no better it was also the hot dry period when I carried out the test that gave me 160volts at the moment it is not very hot and with the rain that we are having nobody is using there bore pumps around here and I do not know what voltage I would get when they do I seem to get a drop of about 10 volts during the day

Had a good look at what they have done it seems like they have just run a clean line from the transformer the pole outside which just means that there is not draw down of volts by other users which is giving me more volts to start with it does prove that the transformer is not big enough While I was sitting here she run the hot water the lights dimmed and the fan slowed down so I will have to disconnect the hot water again and not use the big air con unit then we can manage until I can talk her into complaining again

You need to find out exactly what connection type you have now, measure the voltage between all three wires at no load. It all boils down to load, wire size and material, distance run, and transformer size. Didn't PEA guarantee no voltage drop. What happened to the three phase?

I must be fair the man only said 3 wire connection and when I asked him about the voltage drop he told me that it would be no problem I do find it difficult to get my other half to help deal with problems I think she is like most Thia's and manage with what they have than get it fixed properly when I asked her to tell the man that it was no good she just said that we should not use the air con when we use the water pump

The PEA came today and run a third cable which is what the man said he would do so it is still single phase but it has increased the voltage to 225 but the voltage still drops when I use anything powerful I tested the volts  with 1 small air con, 1 large air con and the large hot water unit (which drops the voltage the most) and it ended up at 185 volts so i am not sure what I should try next  

I don't know if we've been down this route before (time blurs the memory) but:-

How far are you from the transformer?

What size cable have PEA installed (the cable will be marked)?

Steve. The 'pump controller' being referred to as well as controlling tank level also incorporates an under-voltage cutout to protect the motor. If you suffer from frequent under voltage supply you would do well to install one to prolong the life of your pump.

Yes we have been through this before and that is why I have tried this new supply I am now worried about over voltage I have just check the voltage and get a reading of 238 volts what voltage range is safe for my electrical equipment

The PEA came today and run a third cable which is what the man said he would do so it is still single phase but it has increased the voltage to 225 but the voltage still drops when I use anything powerful I tested the volts  with 1 small air con, 1 large air con and the large hot water unit (which drops the voltage the most) and it ended up at 185 volts so i am not sure what I should try next  

Are you saying that you get a noticeable voltage drop when you run your bore hole pump? That doesn't sound right. You sure everything hooked up properly?

No what happens is that we have the bore hole pump on a control circuit so any noticeable drop in volt increases the amps and it cuts out to protect the pump and the supply here is normally below 205 volts so it is already on the low side if I was to turn my large air con unit (25amps) or a hot water tap on the bore pump cuts out sometimes when it is hot and dry I cannot even use the pump. When I turn on the pump the voltage drops by about 5 volts which is about the same as my small air con unit (both 10amps) so I think that is ok

Supply 3 phase 4 wire 220/380V.

Loading (a guide only)

Phase A. A/C, HW, HW.

Phase B. A/C, HW, Lights, Pump.

Phase C. A/C, HW, Power.

All load is single phase in this example.

Voltage drop should not exceed 5% to any point in the installation.

You will need to carry out a max demand calculation.

The 5% voltage drop is that a Thai standard for 3-phase or the norm in the western world only on my single phase suppy I got a 24% voltage drop under full load (tested by the PEA) on a supply voltage that was already 5% below the 220 volts

<BR>Yup, either something was lost in translation or terminology (such as 3 wires + neutral) or you are getting a 3 wire delta installation. The answer to your original question remains the same; namely, meter current will be limited by the main circuit breaker (MCB) and not the actual meter rating. I'd be interested to know where PEA is getting this 3-phase from and the distance run.<BR>

<BR><BR>The only thing I am sure about is that it comes from the main road where there are a few factories the cable run that I have to pay for is about 500mtrs they are going to use aluminium cable why I ask about power at the moment we have got used to a low power usage at the moment and the voltage is pretty stable (due to the rain not many people using there pumps) and I was hoping to connect the house supply to one phase and the bore hole pump another phase to test to see what the voltage drop was like before completely changing the house wiring so if there was a voltage drop I would ask to revert to the single phase setup and try to get my money back for the 3 wire job <BR><BR>Where will the MCB be situated will I be able to find out what current I can use per phase

<BR>I assume we are talking a four wire connection here. In that case you treat it as three separate single phase supplies, line to neutral. The meter will accommodate more than 30 amps per phase as is normal practice around these parts. The actual limit would be determined by the main circuit breaker size. Make certain the contractor installs a full sized neutral wire.<BR>

<BR><BR>When the man from the PEA visited he told me that it was going to be 3 wires so I guess that i will have to wait and see <BR><BR>

After thinking about it I have decided to have a 3 Phase 30amp connection and I was wondering about balancing the phases what is the maximum amps per phase that a 30 amp supply will take (is it like the normal 30amp supply which gives you much more than 30amps) because I would like to keep one phase for my bore pump and split the rest between the other 2 phases which might be a problem as I have 3 air con units of a total of 45amps, 4 water heaters plus the other usual electrical items I know that they will not be all on at the same time. The PEA area manager has guaranteed that a will not get a voltage drop but we will have to wait and see about that

I have a suggestion for the O.P. He should consider going in person with a good translator to the office of the P.E.A. and have an engineer of the P.E.A. put in writing what they are suggesting. It should cost nothing for an engineer and supervisor of the P.E.A. to come to your property, perform some tests and look at what equipment in terms of a breaker box you already have installed. They MIGHT be suggesting you buy your own 3 phase transformer. Our home has no 3 phase appliances, no 3 phase a/c units, but a reputable electrical contractor installed a 3 phase transformer (which actually has a host of associated equipment installed) near our PEA electrical meter. This was for a new home building project with quite a few a/c units, ceiling lights and many grounded electrical sockets installed.

If the P.E.A. technical staff put what they think you need in WRITING, they can also give you a price bid for the items OUTSIDE your home the P.E.A. often instlales. You can also obtain a written bid from a reputable electrical contractor for the same items perhaps at a lower cost. You still would pay some "service upgrade refundable deposits on your new P.E.A. meter" directly to the P.E.A. if you use a private contractor or the P.E.A. Many "meter and new service" fees are posted on the wall of your local P.E.A. office. The headquarters of the P.E.A. in Bangkok has staff you can phone who UNDERSTAND and speak English for further clarification or to confirm a price quote from your local P.E.A.

Good luck.

I have already had the main manager to my house and have a letter and a quote the problem is that the letter is in Thai and although my lady speaks fairly good English she find it difficult to translate the technical details

Thanks for the replies so far I have been through the low voltage in an earlier thread when the PEA came to check out the problem with everything on not including the water pump which is about 10 amp the supply voltage drooped from 215v to 157v it was the PEA that suggested that 3 phase would solve the problem I would guess that 3 phase is an industrial supply and there would be a better control on supply voltage

After having a problem with low voltage the PEA have offered to change my single phase supply to 3 phase and I was wondering how much it would cost to change the house wiring to suit 3 phase

She can but will likely get a lecture as it is the law and being enforced much more actively now. I know most Thai will not get excited about it and expect it will not be a major issue however. They still have some guest houses not doing it.

Managed to do my reporting and notification of address done at the same time she did not get a lecture I did because I was 16 days late for my reporting (forgot what month I was in) I got a 2000B fine which I was expecting but it made them very helpful they even filled out one the forms for her

When we had left she told me that they asked her if I could afford to pay the fine which gave me the feeling that they would have not charged me if I did not have much money but I was in the wrong and only to glad to get both things done in one visit

Your GF needs to report your presence in her home within 24 hours if she is the landlord. That should prove it.

Chachoengsao Immigration Office

Last Updated by Maestro on Mar 5

—— Postal address ——

Immigration Office

1/20 Maha Chakkraphat Rd.

Tambon Na Mueang

Amphoe Muenang

Chachoengsao 24000

ด่านตรวจคนเข้า เมือง

1/20 ถ.มหาจักรพรรดิ์

ต.หน้าเมือง

อ.เมือง

จ.ฉะเชิงเทรา 24000

Phone: 0-3851-4011

Service Area: Provinces of Chachoengsao, Nakhon Nayok, Prachinburi

Geodata source: http://goo.gl/KngZ

Thanks lopburi3 could she report me at the same time as I do my report I know you said within 24hrs but nobody has reported me before in all the houses that I have stayed in it seems to be a rule that not many landlords abide by in Thailand

I extended my retirement visa in Pattaya but since then I have moved to Prachinburi and I need to find out the address of the Immigration office that I need to go to

The other problem I have is that I now live in my girlfriends house so I do not have anything to prove that I live there I know that in Pattaya the last couple of reporting they did not need to show anything with an address on but I am not to sure about the new Immigration place as anybody got any advice on what I can take with me in case they ask

I thought that your National Insurance was for your pension mainly.As I have posted before that once you stop paying, Your Insurance runs out, And not only that you have not contributed to the UK Economy for how ever long. The NHS is not a bottomless pit. You would never be refused medical care. The government is looking to save money so I think there will be a few more changes yet, Maybe you will get a bill for self inflicted aliments and injury's ie smokers, Drink related accidents obese the list can go on,

You are not covered even though you are paying tax in the UK people that carry on paying UK tax for what ever reasons although they contribute to the UK economy are not covered by the NHS

Your voltage at the main switch board may be quite ok if you reduce your load to say 15 or 20A.

Have you offered to pay some of the capital cost of upgrading the transformer, this is what the PEA may be waiting for as they appear not to have the funding in their current budget.

You would only do this as a last resort of course.

On Sunday with just a 10amp air con working the voltage dropped to 180v I do not want to put it into their mind that I might be prepared to pay to-wards a new transformer any idea how much one would cost also being at the end of the line the more people upgrade and use more power I could be in the same position in the future with the PEA coming round with the begging bowl

I managed to get to the PEA today spoke to the manager with my lady trying to translate he at first tried to show me what the problem by drawing me a sketch I told him that I knew what the problem was it was the transformer was to small or to far away he nodded and said the Government would not let him change it I suggested that it was his problem not mine (although it is my problem) I did explain that on Sunday the voltage was down to 180v with only the air con on I told him that he told us that we required a 30amp supply and I suggested he supply the power so I could use it I then showed him my electric bill which was 3800B (he is going to get somebody to check the meter because he thinks it is a bit high) I told him that I use a 10amp inverter air con all day and a water bore pump I cannot use any other large use appliances because it pulled down the voltage to much

I wonder if anybody can tell me if the voltage is low making me draw more amps would that increase the units that I use so increase the cost of the electric bill