I have a problem in my area where the houses get a very high voltage supplied to them from the power grid, on average it's 250 volt here where it should be between 230 and 240, though my high voltage is within acceptable parameters (Just) it has negative side effects.

Appliances take more power than they need to.

Appliances tend to have a shorter lifespan.

I have to buy "low energy light bulbs" far to frequently, sometimes they blow within a matter of a few weeks and some have lasted just a few days, like the last one I got just 5 days ago, yup it lasted 5 days and it's not the first time it has happened.

So, starting to get a bit annoyed about it I wondered if there was anything that could be done to regulate the voltage to a sensible amount, that's when I found  vPhase its a system that you have fitted in your house that keeps the voltage at 220 constantly.


http://www.vphase.co.uk/How-It-Works


Any thoughts ? 

I check voltages most days with my job in various places around Brighton. Typical 238-248v
We are still 240v really. We changed a little due to Europe (230v) but mainly in how things are calculated. We're still 240v.
Was 240 +- 10%, now 230 +20%-5% (or similar).

This unit looks good, I will ask. We have accounts at KEW and CEF, so I'll pop in and see how much they are. KEW website is either crap or they don't stock one. CEF have this in stock.

It requires an electrician to install and takes about 2 hours (VPhase's info). That'd be £100-200 range for install but how hard can it be? We have Andy to call on if we can't work it out. I'll get a price for the unit by the weekend. I assume you're a standard 100A single phase supply.

Side issue. My saver bulbs have been in over 3 years (5 off) I have replaced 1 and I'm not sure it needed to be replaced. There was a problem with a dimmer switch which I have since rectified.

That all sounds good Snowy, yes if you can get a price I would appreciate it

I did find it on a site in the uk for £160 (without fitting) so see if you can get near that  

Yes it seems to be a fact that high voltages kills low energy light bulbs, yes we save on power consumption but lose on having to replace the bulbs every few days, weeks, or months if you are lucky.

And it's not just me, check this out.

http://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/unecessarily-high-voltage-mains-supplies  

My old cottage was like that I am sure. The electrician denied it but he was pally with the landlady so I think he was lying. She did not like expense and also conned me out of my deposit.

One time I was at the PC and there was a huge POP! and I ended up with the glass part of the bulb smoking and laying in my lap. I had a lot of bulbs explode on me, it was either a problem with the electric or ghosts I reckon...

Sorry I can be of no real help here 

Your problem was a ghost Freddy, I'm sure 

Got a quote from CEF for VO4HOME unit at £535.72. What was the £160 for. Please give me link or model number. I did say single phase 100A supply, which is standard.

The guy said he'd send me a tech spec sheet too but didn't.

That is sick money Snowy, I get the feeling there might be more than one of these devices.

Here is a vPhase at £160:

http://www.greenkit.co.uk/vphase-vx1-smart-voltage-management-device.html?gclid=CIfe8uaSj7sCFWYTwwodHEgAJw

That's like a giant switching PSU for the whole home, or even a Battery Backup system without the battery.

I've checked out the wiring diagrams and it's getting more complicated. I think you'd have to change your consumer unit too (fuse box)



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That's doesn't sound to good Snowy if I have to change the fuse box as well. 

Right now my voltage is 252 but last night before I went to bed I checked it and it was reading 256.6 volts    closer to 260 than 250.

Back in the 1970's & 80's, various DIY magazines had adverts for these little disks that you could place in light sockets to fit between the socket and bulb that promised to reduce energy costs. Basically, all they were were diodes that converted the AC current into DC (PDC*, really), which of course effectively cut the voltage to the bulb in half. Turns out that they were a bit of a safety hazard (high wattage bulbs - 100W+ - would make them overheat, causing fires in some cases), so they were mostly taken off the market.


* PDC = Pulsing Direct Current

Quote from: Data on December 02, 2013, 12:43:37 PM
That's doesn't sound to good Snowy if I have to change the fuse box as well. 

Been thinking about this. Do you have at least 1 spare way in your fuse box? If so, I could modify the busbar and just get a 50A MCB.
A new fuse box is not really expensive but £50 or so does put it over the worth while price really. Most have split busbars these days.