Low voltage in the network, main causes and remedies

Hello dear guests and subscribers of my channel. Unfortunately, low voltage in the network is an urgent problem for both the private sector and sales organizations. In this article I want to talk about why there is a low voltage in the network and what remedies exist.

Why is there a low voltage in the network

The reasons why there is a low voltage in the network are the following points:

• High equipment wear and insufficient wire cross-section.

Despite the fact that for many years there has been an active modernization of networks throughout the country, there are still a lot of settlements and villages that feed on lines built in Soviet times. And the load on the network (especially in the private sector) has increased many times over. For this reason, the lines are overloaded and, accordingly, the voltage will enter your house already understated.

• Overload of power transformers in urban substations due to severe phase imbalance.
• Loose contacts at the points of the taps.

These are the main reasons that you cannot influence in any way or you can only indirectly (complain to the company). And now I will tell you about the main causes of low voltage right in your home.

What is the normal voltage value according to GOST

So, in order to understand the low voltage in the network or is in compliance with the norm, you should refer to the regulatory documents, namely to GOST 29322-2014 (IEC 60038: 2009). So in table 1 of this document it is indicated that the voltage in three-phase four-wire systems, in which single-phase electrical networks are also included, the voltage is 230 Volts.

At the same time, under normal operating conditions, the voltage deviation should not deviate more than +/- 10%.

Based on this, the normal voltage in the network is considered to be a voltage from 207 to 253 volts inclusive.

Why is there low voltage in the house

In order to understand whether the cause of low voltage is in your house or is it a problem on the line, the following manipulations should be carried out:

1. Take a multimeter, move it to the voltage measurement position.
2. Disable your introductory machine.

1. Measure the voltage on the upper jaws of the disconnected machine.
2. If you see that the voltage is equal to or more than 207 volts, then the problem clearly lies in your home.
3. A voltage below 207 volts means that the problem is not with you.

So, you have determined that the tension is sagging in your home.

In fact, there are not so many reasons here:

• Insufficient wire size

As in the case of trunk networks, the main reason for the low cross-section is old wiring (in in the overwhelming majority of cases, aluminum), which is no longer enough to provide power to the connected electrical appliances.

Such a lack of cross-section will lead to excessive heating of the conductors, which can lead to melting of the insulation and even a fire.

But this is far from the only reason for low voltage.

• Poor contact on machines, outlets and junction boxes

You should also carefully inspect the distribution box. The connection may have loosened and in this place there is a loose contact between the wire and the machine jaws. So in this situation, in this place there will be a high transient resistance, which will lead to a voltage drop in the network, and in the place of heating to reflow and even fire.

These are the main reasons why low voltage may be present in your home.

What to do with low line voltage

So, if the problem with low voltage lies in your home, then you can eliminate it by checking all the wire connections and eliminating all weak contacts.

If the problem is in thin wires, then only a complete replacement of the old wiring with a new one will help (yes, it is expensive, but security is more expensive).

If the problem is in the distribution networks, then you should contact your sales organization (management company) with an application. They will consider your appeal and, if technically feasible, will raise the tension.

But from personal experience I will say that in most cases an answer will be given, that there is no way to raise the voltage, since the networks are worn out and a new transformer is required to be installed, etc. Therefore, in this version, the only way out is to install either several voltage stabilizers, or one powerful one for the whole house.

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