does anyone use voltage regulators for tv-computer-ref ?

hi guys, i live in the bacong area with a second line power supply, one of these trustworthy small black wires hanging in the trees. i guess the voltage level is varying and this might cause damage for the beloved equipment like the big tv, the samsung ref and last but not least the notebook - has anyone experience with that, is it recommendable to use one of these chinese voltage regulators which are sold everywhere here? my neighbour already lost half of his electrical stuff, others have no problems at all...???

 

The members in Bacong will no doubt give you more information on the Area, but I have Primary power in Junob but still use AVR's for extra safety of my Equipment.
We are using Chinese Products one per piece of Equipment from Ace Logic at around 350+ per AVR, with no problems (never had to change a fuse in 2+ years) Handyman have quite a range and at 4.000+ ( From Ace Logic) you can get an AVR combined UPS which I am seriously looking into.

JP

 

thx jack, you are on the safe side of life ... are these active or passive avr's, and do they make a noise or smell? i heard some horrible stories...

 

I live in Combado, Bacong, and my typical small electrical appliances hves a life span of about 3 years. I just had a Sharp Brand microwave go out that was about 3 years, old. Most kitchen small appliance, even rice cooker, seem to have problems with in the first 18 months. I use some voltage regulators but am told it is not the high voltage but low voltage that takes out the equipment.

I was looking at electric weed eaters in town because I do not like standing in the sun trying to get the gas ones started. I was told they had to be run though a power regulator because the low voltage would burn them out by the salesman, and he did not sell power regulators in the store. I am not sure how a power regulator ups the power so it is not hard on the equipment but I would like to know if someone can explain it to me. I have been told by others that you can have a new better transformer on the pole outside installed but I only renting an it is an expensive endeavor.

So I am facing the same concern you are facing, and have not spent the time to solve the problem yet. I am also told the electrical meter here are typically not calibrated (which explains why my electrical bill tripled one month and then returned to normal) and I should attempt to get the new ones that are better calibrated. I have the old round one.

I hope this helps.... not much solutions but at least you are not in the electrical storm by yourself...

@tuba-coma

 

Well that I Don't know anything about the technical side but they are silent and I have not smelt any odours at all.

I also so have Anti Surge Plug Banks as I think this is also a necessity here.

JP

 

guess a life span of three years is normal these times, nobody produces quality anymore, specially not our friends in china
you mentioned exactly the problem about the low voltage, you can protect yourself easily against the high peaks with a special inexpensive overload protection plug, but the avr which compensates high and low voltage is unfortunately much more expensive ..

 

yes, our rooms / floors are filled with the anti surge plug banks

i might get over some floor fans, but fridge, tv + pc were really expensive - it seems i better go on a hunt for these avr's, but there are so many on the market - hard to manage for a non-eclectrician like me, and the advices from the employees in the shops are sometimes only confusing ...

 

There are basically two types of AVR.
One is a static/transistor controlled AVR. These respond quickly to a voltage change but seem to have a very limited ability to correct the voltage. I think around +/- 15 volts. @DavyL200 this may be why your 1000 VA unit has trouble. Still leaving you short on voltage.

The other type is a motorized transformer (electro-mechanical) that uses an iron core/ copper winding and a motorized arm that moves to correct the voltage, they make noise during adjustments. This type takes about 1-2 seconds to correct a voltage drop/rise.
The motorized version I had could control over a range of about +/- 50 volts (very good). The brand was Hossoni and bought at Polaris.

Most computers/laptops/TVs etc have a built in switching power supply and will tolerate a voltage range from 100 to 250 volts (check the label or manual).
Floor fans really do not care about low voltage, they just slow down and speed up with the supply voltage.

Rice cookers/Ovens/coffee pot/water heaters do not die from low voltage but they do operate slowly. The heating element produces power as the square of the voltage, eg. 90% voltage will only give 81% heat, 80% voltage will only give 64% heat. High voltage can be a killer for these device as 110% volts gives 121% heat and the appliance demise will be imminent.

Microwaves I have no clue.

Refrigerators (and most air conditioners) have a motor that is matched to the attached compressor. The motor torque must be sufficient to start/run the compressor or it will stall.
A stalled motor draws a lot of current, something close to 4 times rated current.
Motor torque is sensitive to voltage, torque drops off as the square of the voltage sort of like rice cooker power dropping off with voltage.
A 1000 VA AVR should be big enough for most refrigerators.
Air conditioners no idea. I suspect that some air cons unload the compressor while starting. If any air con guys know about that I would be curious. I'll ask JRAS one day.

hope this helps