We are also associated with one of the best stabilizer manufacturers in the world among other electromechanical and electronic equipment for the control of the mains supply, for products that would safeguard your equipment from damage resulting from power surges. Electric power supply: a mysterious element with many variables
Electrical and electronic equipment are designed to properly operate from a clean and constant supply of AC voltage. High deviation from the nominal value or a voltage that undergoes continual variations causes overheating halts in production, machining defects, loss of data memory and programs, failures, and so forth. The electricity board generates high-quality electrical energy at its power stations, but cannot prevent it from degrading along the distribution lines, which are subject to continual load variation and all kinds of interference. It is therefore useful to know the more common electrical faults so as to apply the most adequate protections
and avoid productivity drops. To protect sensitive equipment, several devices are available which, depending on their characteristics; complexity, and cost ensure different levels of efficacy. The choice should be made by assessing the degree of protection required, the entity of the failures, and the direct and indirect costs these may cause. In fact, an overall solution may call for an expenditure that is out of proportion to the value or the function of the equipment requiring protection, whereas a more economical solution may not be reliable. It is, therefore, necessary to assess the characteristics of the protection, with the help of experts, or turn to a reputable
company that can offer adequate technical support
A — Voltage variations Since they are subject to continual load variations, distribution lines are unable to supply
perfectly even voltage levels. This is why electrical machinery is built to accept shifts of at least –5% as to the nominal value. In fact, in their contracts, the electricity boards provide for fluctuations of up to –10%. Furthermore, this limit is often exceeded due to “slow variations”
(voltage drops caused by under dimensioned lines and/or overloads), “over voltages”
(considerable increases in the line value arising when industries drastically cut down their energy
consumption), “fast variations” (drops caused by the connection of equipment such as: discharge
lamps, punching machines, electric motors etc.).
B — Voltage spikes
These are very brief pulse disturbances very dangerous for more sensitive equipment because the
voltage values may reach thousands of volts. They are caused, not only by the switching of high
voltage lines, connection of power factor correction capacitors, lightening, and the cutting off of
loads with high reactive powers, but also by limited power loads such as photocopiers andair
conditioners connected to the same line that feeds the sensitive equipment. Spikes are not
detectable by means of an ordinary voltmeter given their brief duration;
