.

[scotteng]

..,

 

[Stoday]

has anyone had any experience with voltage regulators, where the voltage is restricted within the installation to 220v, to save elec costs?

Know of them and how they work.

how much do they really save?

Nothing. Do you really expect something for nothing?

The manufacturers will show you how the kettle, fridge etc reduce their consumption by 17% or whatever. They don't show you the kettle taking 17% longer to boil or the fridge having a 17% greater duty cycle.

You can save on lights because it makes them dimmer. So does a dimmer switch and that's a lot cheaper. Anyway, it only works for incandescent lights and they are no longer available in the shops.

where are they installed?

Near your consumer unit.

what do they cost?

Far more than they save. You can make a DIY version using a low voltage transformer connected so that it bucks the mains voltage. However, if you know enough to DIY, you also know enough to know it won't save anything and that it's a con.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

The manufacturers will show you how the kettle, fridge etc reduce their consumption by 17% or whatever. They don't show you the kettle taking 17% longer to boil or the fridge having a 17% greater duty cycle.

Nor toast taking longer to make.

Or the washing machine/dishwasher taking longer to heat their water, or the dryer taking longer to dry clothes.

Or the cooker rings/oven switching on more often to maintain temperature.

Nor do they talk about how switch-mode power supplies (which it what's in every TV/DVD/PC etc, and nearly all 12V lighting) will just draw more current to compensate for lower voltage.

Basically they don't show you anything which can change the laws of physics.

But they do get really agitated, and threaten to call security and have you ejected from the exhibition, if you persist in trying to discuss these points with them on the stand where they are flogging the things.

 

[ricicle]

But they do get really agitated, and threaten to call security and have you ejected from the exhibition, if you persist in trying to discuss these points with them on the stand where they are flogging the things.

Please tell me that's on Youtube...

 

[holmslaw]

..

 

[JohnW2]

If, as I presume must be the case, those peddling this nonsense make claims about 'cost saving', is there not something that Trading Standards can do about it?

Kind Regards, John.

 

[JohnW2]

The other thing that never gets mentioned is their effect on LI values and the dangers of lower fault currents extending tripping times.

Good point. In fact, it's actually quite a complicated situation to get one's head around if there is a transformer interspersed between the incoming supply and the installation.

Do 'proper'/competent electricians ever actually install these things, I wonder?

Kind Regards, John.

 

[holmslaw]

..

 

[ban-all-sheds]

You can save on lights because it makes them dimmer. So does a dimmer switch and that's a lot cheaper.

But if you already use dimmer switches you'll just turn the wick up a bit to get the light level you want.

 

[westie101]

We have been asked at a number of supermarkets fed from their own transformer to isolate supplies so they can lower voltages.

 

[Monkeh]

We have been asked at a number of supermarkets fed from their own transformer to isolate supplies so they can lower voltages.

So their open air fridges will use less electricity?

 

[westie101]

So their open air fridges will use less electricity

Don't know but they were fitting some extra equipment to their main bus-bar as well.
The last one I did was a bit of a farce as they could only have supply off for no more than 3 hours to prevent freezers unfreezing. Spent a Sunday evening going back and forward switching supplies OFF - ON - OFF - ON!