Mains Electric Voltage Variations

[robertsonmartin]

A question for any Electrical Guru's out there.

Everbody probably knows that the electrical supply in Thailand is not the smoothest in the world. I've checked my incoming supply with a volt meter in the past and have recorded anything between 185V and 265V especially during the rainy season time of the year.

I have protected various pieces of electrical equipment with UPS boxes that regulate and smooth the voltage but this only takes care of a few pieces of low load kit (Laptop / Modem / Cellphone chargers etc).

There is always a light bulb popping here or there and I've no idea how it affecting other pieces of electrical equipment that are too "big" to connect to a UPS (i.e. Fridge / LCD TV / AC unit etc).

Soooo.... Is there any sort of equipment (smoother / voltage regulation) that can be connected in between the incoming mains supply and the Distribution Board for taking care of the full house supply of approx 30 amps load. If such equipment does exist I would imagine it wouldn't be cheap but would be food for thought to look after everything connected to it. Possibly not cost efficient but curious to see if there is anything out there.

Look forward to hearing any comments (be nice) .

Mart.

[lopburi3]

Google: Voltage Stabilizers

[jfchandler]

Enjoying my new 600 watt APC UPS unit (birthday present) at home... Power went out again today in BKK, my neighborhood, for like 5 seconds, before flashing back on... as it has seemed increasingly prone to do in the past year.

Gotta say, the UPS is shaping up as the best thing I've ever bought in Thailand, and saving me no end of computer and electronics grief.

[Crossy]

Soooo.... Is there any sort of equipment (smoother / voltage regulation) that can be connected in between the incoming mains supply and the Distribution Board for taking care of the full house supply of approx 30 amps load. If such equipment does exist I would imagine it wouldn't be cheap but would be food for thought to look after everything connected to it. Possibly not cost efficient but curious to see if there is anything out there.

Yup, voltage stabilizers of various sizes from a few hundered Watts upwards are available, try your local electrical shop.

The usual usage is to protect individual equipments rather than the whole house (big units are expensive) and there's little point protecting your water heater and kettle.

Certainly protect all your AV (even if you don't use a UPS). Motors have a reduced life if run on low voltage so your fridge, aircons and water pump. Light bulbs are cheap so no real need unless you don't like the flicker when loads come on