If you connect a device for measuring the effective voltage value - a voltmeter - to a home electrical outlet, it will show 220 V. In our country, this is the norm, which allows a change in one direction or another by up to 10%. That is, as long as the voltage is in the range from 200 to 245 volts, household electrical appliances operate normally. However, the condition of most operating power systems, including devices for transmission, conversion and distribution of energy transmission, is such that quite often the mains voltage drops below the mentioned 200 V. Because of this, many household appliances may not work properly and even fail. Single-phase voltage stabilizers for the home can partially solve the problem. There are three-phase modifications, but their use in the home is limited due to the small distribution of 380 V home appliances.
Magic Devices
A single-phase voltage stabilizer is a device consisting of a relatively small transformer with several secondary winding leads, a control unit and auxiliary elements (protection, cooling, indication). Electricity is supplied to the device through two input wires from the network, and the required 220 V is issued through the others. Everything is very simple. Depending on the method of adjusting the input voltage, there are three types of these devices: electric, relay and single-phase electronic voltage stabilizer. We note right away that there is no best among them. For example, from the point of view of manufacturability, the electronic model is more preferable, but at a cost it significantly exceeds the other two modifications. Not every buyer will be able to spend several thousand on a modern single-phase electronic voltage stabilizer. We will consider the features of each of them below.
The most important characteristic
Before buying, it is important to remember that any electrical appliance is characterized by the amount of power consumed. This value is always indicated both on the plate and in the accompanying documentation. For example, a small storage boiler will take about 1.5 kW of energy from the network; the vacuum cleaner will pull on all 3 kW; and the iron - about 2 kW. These are one of the most powerful consumers in a modern home. Televisions, pumps, light bulbs, computers also require a certain amount of electricity to operate. Why is this important to understand? The fact is that the selected single-phase voltage regulator mustto be able to pass through itself the necessary power. Otherwise, he will not only be unable to deliver the necessary 220 V, but he himself may fail. Moreover, regardless of the design.
Power selection
If a single-phase voltage stabilizer is connected to power any one device (computer, boiler, pump), then it is necessary to compare their power. So, the value declared on the stabilizer in watts or kilowatts should be 40-50% higher than the consumption of the connected device.
Immediate equality is not allowed! This is due to the fact that when the mains voltage drops to 150 V, the single-phase voltage regulator, although it continues to deliver 220% (+ -10%), loses power twice in this mode of operation. It is impossible to name the exact value, since it is determined by the type of transformer used (torroid, W-magnetic core), consumer characteristics, etc. It can be roughly assumed that a single-phase voltage stabilizer of 10 kW, operating at 150 V, will be able to supply electrical appliances with a total power of not more than 6 kW. And the declared characteristics are achievable only when 200-240 V is supplied from the external network. Here is such a feature.
If it is planned to power the entire house or apartment through the device, then the same rule must be observed. Before buying, it is recommended to make a list of household electrical equipment, highlighting those that often work at a time, and sum uppower. Usually it will be 30-50% of the total brownie. Since this parameter directly affects the cost of the product, it is usually believed that the power of the selected stabilizer should be 20% higher than the value obtained: this is a compromise between cost and capabilities.
Apparent and active power
Before buying, you should carefully read the specification for the device, since the power value can be given both in kilowatts (kW) and in kilovolt-amperes (kVA). The specificity of household electrical equipment is such that the first is more important. If the manufacturer indicated the total (kVA), then approximately it can be considered that the active (kW) will be 30% less. That is, a 3 kVA stabilizer will be able to pull home appliances with a total consumption of no more than 2 kW. Of course, the calculation is indicative, and other factors may affect, but usually it is enough.
As we have already indicated, in addition to power, the most important characteristic of any stabilizer is its design. Be sure to pay attention to this before buying.
Installation method
Single-phase voltage stabilizers for the home can be used both to supply stable 220 V to any one device (for example, a wall-mounted heating boiler), and to a group (the whole house). Of course, the second option is more convenient, when there is always 220 V in any home outlet, regardless of power surges in the external network. The disadvantage is that if, for example, the Resant model is 500 W, ideallysuitable for a boiler will cost 1,700 rubles, then for a 15 kW single-phase voltage stabilizer of the same company, ideal for a modern home, you will have to pay as much as 27 thousand rubles. Comments are perhaps unnecessary.
Relay models
According to many owners, the best voltage stabilizer is a relay one. It is based on a transformer with several outputs of the secondary winding. A special electronic unit constantly compares the value of the incoming voltage with the reference 220 V and, if the discrepancy exceeds a certain value, it activates the winding switching relay, thereby increasing or decreasing the effective value at the output. When these elements are activated, characteristic clicks are heard. The number of relays determines the number of steps. The more of them, the softer the shifts.
Let's see how these models work. As long as 220 V (+–10%) is supplied to the stabilizer, no adjustment is made. But now the voltage has dropped, say, to 190 V. The comparison unit sees this and turns on the relay, which switches the windings in such a way that the missing 30 V is added to the output. As a result, 220 V is obtained. This is one triggered stage.
The same mechanism is activated when stepping down is required, with the only difference that other winding leads are used. If there are several steps, then switching in the example under consideration will occur not only at 190 V, but also at intermediate values. The more steps, the more frequent switching, and the difference, respectively, is less than the mentioned 30 V. This allows you to get onthe output is always 220V, not 220V (+-10%). A voltage stabilizer circuit of a similar design is quite simple and maintainable, since automotive relays are most often used in it. True, the owners note that due to clicks, models of this class are better not to be installed in rooms where people are constantly present. Among the budget, but quite reliable solutions, we can note the products of the companies "Resanta", "Energy", "Voltaire".
Servo driven
No less interesting are models that lack switching steps in the classical sense. Inside such models, a fairly simple circuit for comparing the input voltage with a reference value is installed. Current collectors driven by a small electric motor move along the transformer windings: there are no relays. Smooth adjustment. Due to the presence of moving parts, reliability is lower than that of electronic modifications. A good build from the Rucelf SDW line. The scourge of models of this class is frequent jumps. Therefore, if drawdowns occur on the line due to welding, then servo modifications cannot be used. In other cases, these stabilizers are an excellent purchase, as they are quieter than relay ones, and cost less than electronic ones.
Managed Keys
The most expensive and most advanced are thyristor or triac stabilizers. These semiconductor elements perform the same function as a relay - they switch windings. Since there are no moving parts, the reliability is the highest. In addition, the switching speed is fractions of a second. If you have extra money, it is recommended to buy models of this particular class.
The problem of choice
A person who decides to purchase a stabilizer for the home is faced with an abundance of conflicting information. For example, in different retail outlets, the same model may be endowed with characteristics taken from the ceiling. Especially with regard to the method of adjustment. Referring to the developer's site often further confuses the buyer. For example, conventional relay models can proudly be called electromechanical with electronic control. Indeed, the voltage regulator circuit in them is such that the comparison unit is made on microcircuits. True, for the future owner, frankly speaking, it does not matter at all. Or, some retailers and manufacturers have begun to use the term “digital” to attract buyers. In practice, this means that the comparison unit has been slightly redesigned, and the voltage indication is not arrow, but display. Did this element work poorly in models of past generations? Of course, great. So, maybe it makes no sense to overpay for a trendy term? When choosing a stabilizer, you need to remember that the main thing in these devices is the way to switch the windings. It is this characteristic that affects performance.
When in doubt, it is recommended to look inside the case through the ventilation holes or ask to turn on the stabilizer through an autotransformer and create power surges. If it clicks, then the switching is relay. It buzzes barely audibly - the electric motor is working, this is a servo-driven model. Well, complete silence means that electronic keys are installed inside.
If you name the leaders, then we can say that the Energia company produces excellent models of stabilizers, as can be judged by the feedback from the owners. But the products of Chinese manufacturers are not always on the level: buying products from Forte is a lottery. For some it works for years, for others it burns out in a month.
Question of cost
It is not enough to decide on the required power and connection method (powering one electrical appliance or a group of them). In addition, the price of the product is important. The market offers a huge number of stabilizers from different manufacturers. Moreover, in terms of design, usually in the product line of each there are models of all three types. Because of this, it is quite difficult to choose the best voltage regulator. For example, one customer wants to get the most reliable device, so to speak, for centuries. He chooses the electronic version. This can be, for example, a single-phase voltage stabilizer "Resanta" with an electronic control type ASN-8000 / 1-C or "Energy classic" with a power of 7500 W, for which you will have to pay 25 thousand rubles. Another likes the relay-based Voltron RSN-8000 model, which costs less - about 12 thousand. Well, someone will like the price of the servo "New Line-10000", which is 16,000 rubles.
Reviews
One of the ways to choose a quality stabilizer is to study the opinions of people who have already worked with this or that model. So,an excellent acquisition, according to users, is the Forte TVR-3000. Active power is about 2.2 kW, although 3 kW is allowed in peaks. This is a relay type model that clicks during operation, so it is better to install it outside the living space (for example, in the corridor or in the kitchen). Reviews indicate that the power is sufficient for a small house. The features include some problems when working at high voltage. That is, for people living near a step-down transformer, it is better to refuse to buy this model.
If we talk about powering the whole house with a model with electronic stage switching, then, according to the reviews, the Volter HL-9 has proven itself perfectly. This stabilizer is designed for 9 kW, designed for wall mounting. Quiet and reliable. Has nine steps. If necessary, power the boiler, computer, TV and other low-power equipment, consumers are advised to purchase a small stabilizer Sven Neo R-500. It works properly, relay clicks are almost inaudible. There are no voltmeters, but this is offset by the low cost (about 1000 rubles).
Well, the models from "Resant" deserve a thorough check. They are the most on the market. However, the percentage of calls to repair shops is higher than that of others. The main problem is that Chinese craftsmen have learned how to stamp outwardly exact copies. That is why, in the original, the excellent ACH-8000/1-EM model not only can fail quickly, but also looks different from the manufacturer.
