Voltage in Samui not 220 volts ?

[Tchooptip]

Hi every one

Yesterday I received a new washing machine, to day I tried it for the first time, it gives regularly an error message : EHO, which is not in the booklet, after Googling, it seems it could be a problem of electricity

supply, and electronic does not like of course.

My microwave a few month old never worked properly, one day not, one day yes? I never understood.

So to day I bought a multimeter to discover I have around 180Volts, moving all the time 170/180, is that "normal" for Samui? Or should I call the company for checking?

Most, thanks in advance every one for your (brillian)t answers like most of the time on this Samui forum

[samuijimmy]

This is shocking

My voltage jumps around a bit, not as much as it used too, before they improved the system..... but you should try to test it a few more times....and see what readings you get.(different times of day)

What you are getting is to low ... Perhaps check with your neighbours and see what reading they are getting.... then you will know if it just you....

Mine use to jump from about 200 to 230 (have voltage meter on one of my battery backups, for computer, that shows current power) It is more stable these days, more around 220 v, which is what is should be....

I would guess you need to find a qualified electrician to check your lines .... there are a few farangs around that should be able to help on that... don't know names off hand....

I am sure some one will suggest someone!

[Tchooptip]

This is shocking

My voltage jumps around a bit, not as much as it used too, before they improved the system..... but you should try to test it a few more times....and see what readings you get.(different times of day)

What you are getting is to low ... Perhaps check with your neighbours and see what reading they are getting.... then you will know if it just you....

Mine use to jump from about 200 to 230 (have voltage meter on one of my battery backups, for computer, that shows current power) It is more stable these days, more around 220 v, which is what is should be....

I would guess you need to find a qualified electrician to check your lines .... there are a few farangs around that should be able to help on that... don't know names off hand....

I am sure some one will suggest someone!

Thank you...

... yes I went 2 hours ago to an old German gentleman's house, asking politely, could I check your voltage, not yours personally but your house, said I showing my multimeter ?

178 volts, but 10 minutes ago, here 150 Volts Help, a least it explains a few things like my fridge a few months old set up on 4 degree, with sometimes the water in the door hardly cool, or like I said in OP my microwave not heating well, so since it is still guarantee to morrow I'll take it but "to morrow" works again

I will see to morrow to call the company

Good night

[HooHaa]

that is exactly why i spent in the area of a 100k on 1 manual and one automatic volatage stabilizers. on get the power into the right range and the automatic smooths out the little fluctuations

[jcisco]

that is exactly why i spent in the area of a 100k on 1 manual and one automatic volatage stabilizers. on get the power into the right range and the automatic smooths out the little fluctuations

Wow I think you spent too much on two things that aren't suitable for the problem, wow really you dropped that much cash?? Seriously can you tell me what you bought, and how much it fluctuates, and what load you have on it.... call me an ass, but I hope this is just a case of your lexicon failing to explain what your talking about.

As for the OP, can you tell me how you are using the meter, actually no screw that.

Can you get a USB charger please such as used to change any modern phone that outputs 5V. Can you plug that sucker in and then take a voltage reading in DC mode in at the highest range dropping down into the 5V range.

You should be receiving 5V if that figure is way off then I would recommend an electrician. Also if you know what you are doing take a current reading off the mains, I do not recommend you do this unless you really are aware of the risk of forcing 10AMP through your meter and just how close those probes are and how big they can arc.

Cause some off the top of my idiot brain, I am thinking your meter is wrong. You are tapped off a multiphase lines, the number would be about right for RMS.

Though really that voltage is rather low it is within the range that a lot of consumer equipment is designed for. I would call the power company or your landlord, low voltage is extremely dangerous and in many ways more so than a voltage swing up the same amount.

Also, just a extra bit of info, are you in a polyphase installation, err 3 pin?

[Tywais]

that is exactly why i spent in the area of a 100k on 1 manual and one automatic volatage stabilizers. on get the power into the right range and the automatic smooths out the little fluctuations

Wow I think you spent too much on two things that aren't suitable for the problem,

Actually they are suitable for the problem as some can maintain a constant 220VAC +/- few % output with 70-260VAC input depending on the model. Cost depends on the VA rating where a household size (10kVA for example) can be expensive.

[Tropicalevo]

Up here in Plai Laem we used to regularly only get 170/180 volts. However, things have improved this year.

My understanding is that they are still working on upgrading the HV cables in some areas around the island. Maybe you are just in an area that has not been upgraded yet?

[Tchooptip]

Up here in Plai Laem we used to regularly only get 170/180 volts. However, things have improved this year.

My understanding is that they are still working on upgrading the HV cables in some areas around the island. Maybe you are just in an area that has not been upgraded yet?

I understand (I guess) many little things, for instance my air con stopped some times 2/3time but only in the evening,

my microwave at night does not works at all, but yes in the morning, I did not realized exactly, so I thought sometime it works sometimes not, so big???

my fridge sometimes is not at a good temperature, I was not happy since I paid over 30,000 Baht for it, same for the microwave not a cheap one, so I incriminated Samsung,

until I received my washing machine, of course not a Samsung LOL, then yesterday I bought a multimeter: 170/180 Volts yesterday night, a little more 200 this morning.

But reading what you say Topicalevo, not sure the company can do something to help me?

[lom]

Check the voltage on the incoming line of your meter to make sure it isn't a wiring problem inside your house. (I guess it is not since your neighbour also have low voltage).

Then take your readings (over a couple of days) to the PEA office and show them. It is quite common that motors as in fridge or aircon compressors gets damaged by under-voltage so you should get this fixed asap.

Edited May 9, 2014 by lom

[Tchooptip]

Check the voltage on the incoming line of your meter to make sure it isn't a wiring problem inside your house. (I guess it is not since your neighbour also have low voltage).

Then take your readings (over a couple of days) to the PEA office and show them. It is quite common that motors as in fridge or aircon compressors gets damaged by under-voltage so you should get this fixed asap.

It is exactly what I intended to do, I will show them photos of the multimeter figures, I know it has no value at all, only (maybe) psychologichaly LOL