Regular low voltage in the network is most often observed by remote consumers. After all, the voltage drop depends not only on the magnitude of the load, but also on the cross section of the supply cable, as well as the specific resistance of the conductor, multiplied by the length of the power line. The result, as a rule, is obvious - the most colorful indicator is incandescent lamps, which lose their brightness when the mains voltage decreases. However, they are weakly sensitive to this mode of operation and do not fail for this reason. This cannot be said about all the electrical appliances that equip the housing of a modern person. Some of them may become unusable without the necessary protection. Therefore, it is better to decide how to increase the voltage in the circuit. More on this later in the article.
Effect of voltage drop on electrical appliances
Household appliances can varyrespond to voltage drops in the network. To do this, the operating parameters are indicated on the product packaging. Some are adapted to operate in the range from 200 to 240 volts, others are not affected by more significant drops from 180 to 250 volts. However, there is a third group, the parameters of which indicate the purpose for operation from a network of 220 V.
Electric motors
Electric motors are considered the most sensitive to such anomalies. After all, they lose power in such conditions and cannot carry the established load. A good example would be a washing machine, the sound of which will immediately change. If a motor has been subjected to its rated load and has lost power due to a voltage drop, this will cause the motor to stall. Parking the motor under current, if you do not disconnect it from the mains, is the most dangerous mode for this device.
Caught in such conditions, the engine does not have the necessary power to rotate the moving part. As a result, the current strength, which increases on the primary winding, heats it up to a critical level, and the winding insulation is destroyed. The consequence of the emergency mode is an inter-turn short circuit, leading to engine breakdown. Thus, in modern refrigerators and washing machines designed to operate in automatic mode, protection is installed. This pre-stage is embedded in the drive to disconnect it from power in case of mains distortion.
Electronic control systems
Various complexdevices that are equipped with modern communication systems operating in autonomous modes, coordinating processors or microcircuits are included. These key elements are also tuned to certain network parameters, the boundaries of which are very limited. A voltage drop can lead to distortion of the data generated by the control links. This will lead to abnormal actions of the drives or disable them.
Thus, there is a direct need to establish control over the mains voltage. With a systematic voltage drop, one of the existing methods must be applied to decide how to increase the voltage of the transformer.
Resistive load electrical appliances
First of all, this applies to incandescent lamps and most heating appliances. Their work is associated with the heating of refractory materials with high resistance. In other words, a conductor with a high resistivity is placed in the working area of the heating device. Its job is to quickly heat up as the amount of current it passes through increases.
The refractory properties of these elements allow them to glow red-hot, releasing a large amount of heat and not losing their shape. For the operation of such devices, a voltage drop does not pose a threat, since the current strength decreases along with it (a value directly proportional to the voltage). And this only leads to a decrease in the heat of the heating element. Therefore, the question is how to increase the voltage onconductor, these devices will be touched last.
Violation of the contact of the incoming cable with power lines
Start the search for causes should be from the place where the power cable is connected to the power line. A bad connection can cause the connection to heat up, and the resulting carbon deposits will increase the resistance and cause a voltage drop. This problem needs to be fixed immediately for another reason. As the resistance increases, the heating temperature increases, and this may lead to an accident.
It is important to know that if the power line and the lead-in cable make up a copper-aluminum pair, then you should not connect them by twisting. For this purpose, special bolted clamps are used. In addition, you should check the contact of the incoming cable with the general machine to which it transfers power. The weakening of contact in this place is fraught with similar consequences.
Small incoming cable section
If all the contacts were in order and the cause of the voltage drop in the network cannot depend on this, it is worth doubting the choice of the cross section of the supply cable. It's easy to check. To do this, you must turn on the electrical appliance, the characteristics of which can be determined instantly. An incandescent lamp is well suited, which can serve as an excellent indicator. When the lamp works normally after turning it on, and when the kettle and heater are turned on again, it starts to go out, the section of the supply cable is not enough, and it must be increased.
Failureselectricity supplier
This is the most complex and unpleasant cause of voltage drops in the network. Sometimes it lasts only during the period of maximum consumer activity, which does not make it easier, and sometimes such processes can continue for several days. The only reliable solution to the issue is to collect all the necessary evidence, file a collective complaint (together with neighbors) and bring the contractor to justice. However, this is a very thorny path that will take a lot of time, effort and money, but this is the only fundamental scheme for resolving the issue.
If the process drags on indefinitely, especially if it is aggravated by the lack of unanimity among the neighbors, you can find out how to increase the voltage in the circuit of an individual branch using technical means. It is important to understand that such actions will have a positive effect, but to the detriment of the surrounding neighbors. For example, if everyone uses a trick like this, the effect will be nullified.
Stabilizers
How many increased the voltage on the conductor? The simplest, but most expensive solution to the problem is the use of a common stabilizer at the input, compatible in power with the total load.
The modern equivalent of such a device has a high market value and would require a separate room to house it. However, when the voltage drops to 180 volts, it is able to compensate for such a shortage up to the nominal limit. Considering that the unit is needed for a long-termuse, then there is a practical reason for this. To increase the voltage at a point intended for one important consumer, you can use a low-power stabilizer, more affordable.
Step-down transformers
It is these devices that will help you decide how to increase the voltage with a power supply, which also serves as an adapter for electronic devices. Moreover, the permissible load in this case will increase five times. To do this, you need to connect the secondary winding to the outlet, and connect the consumer to the primary winding.
In order not to confuse, it is better to use a voltmeter, although such an error will not cause harm, and if it occurs, you can replay the connection. Thus, a power supply designed for 12-volt equipment will increase the voltage of a single point by 12 volts. Is it possible to increase the voltage with a resistor? Increasing the voltage with a resistor, capacitor or inductor will not work. These elements are used to stabilize the voltage in case of drops.
