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#2259 06/30/01 09:47 AM
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 4,294
Member
Our braindead utilities here in CA have come up with another scheme. They plan to drop the supply voltage 3%, claiming they can serve a few more customers that way.
Would it be wise for us to change taps on our 480V customers' transformers, or let them live with their new 116/202 systems? (Can't do anything about the 269/466).
We already get many calls about low voltage problems in the hotter summer months, it seems seldom that the utility is supplying the nominal voltage anyway. I'm concerned about our liability if we make changes. I can see this is going to be a tough summer.

#2260 06/30/01 10:56 AM
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 5,392
S
Member
electure;
the call you are contemplating is predeicated on a situation introduced by the utilities. responsibility for any planned as opposed to unplanned power fluctation should be theirs. being that this is a statewide event, i would imagine the Public Service Board assuming you have one not totally seated by power company yes-men should make the 'liability' call here.

#2261 06/30/01 03:33 PM
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,236
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Pardon my ignorance once again, but I thought that if you lowered voltage a few percent, some devices will try to make up for the loss by drawing even more current...

And I thought current was the whole problem anyway..... Too much demand, not enough supply... How does decreasing voltage help this situation?

This is probably another one of my dumb assumptions that has nothing to do with the real world... [Linked Image]

Here in WV we have the opposite problem. The PoCo likes to run about 122V to 123V per leg, which is real hard on standard 120V light bulbs. I install only 130V bulbs myself because of this.

[This message has been edited by sparky66wv (edited 06-30-2001).]


-Virgil
Residential/Commercial Inspector
5 Star Inspections
Member IAEI
#2262 06/30/01 04:29 PM
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 4,294
Member
Virgil, if you're ignorant, I'm worse. I thought the same thing as you. This was on a newsradio station just this week. I don't know more about it than that, but I don't see how it could help. Of course I'm not a power company engineer, either.

#2263 06/30/01 05:38 PM
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 5,392
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Member
Virgil brings up a good point.
We sparky's are all taught the inversley proportional relationship, somehow the math works in their favor...

is there an EE in the house?

[Linked Image]

#2264 06/30/01 07:23 PM
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,056
R
Member
[QUOTE]Originally posted by sparky66wv:
[B]Pardon my ignorance once again, but I thought that if you lowered voltage a few percent, some devices will try to make up for the loss by drawing even more current...

I think the key is "some devices". Any resistive loads( incandescent lamps, ranges, water heaters,) will draw proportionally less current.This could really add up. I think inductive lighting will draw more to maintain wattage. Motors, I believe, depending on the type, could go either way.

#2265 07/01/01 01:29 PM
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 127
G
Member
Are they talking about dropping the voltage 24 hours a day on all lines or maybe in the mornings and evenings in predominatly residential areas where people are using incandescant lighting and electric water heaters. At this time the AC may not be a great percentage of the load. Is 3% on an AC compressor going to draw 3% more current while running at full speed? Also the low voltage starting should draw less inrush; how much of a factor will that be?

Gerald Powell

#2266 07/01/01 01:33 PM
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 127
G
Member
What we really need to do is enlist the aid of Tibetan lamas to find out who is the present day reincarnation of Nikola Tesla.

#2267 07/02/01 07:37 AM
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 4,294
Member
I'll try to get more info on this. As I said, it was on the radio just the other day.
I've decided, though, to discourage the retapping of the xfrmrs. When the power monsters realize their trick is a flop, and kick the V back up, I don't want to run around changing the taps again(probably for free).

#2268 07/02/01 06:02 PM
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 93
M
Member
It seems to me that all devices would draw less current if the voltage is reduced. The only constant here would be the circuit impedance would it not?

Lets say a motor draws 15 amps @ 240 volts for a total of 3600 watts. For the sake of simplicity, the circuit impedance would be 16 ohms. A 3% drop in voltage gives us 232.8 volts. 232.8V รท 16 ohms = 14.55 amps, for a total of 3387 watts.

I'm guessing that the only trade-offs will be in horsepower and to a lesser extent, lifespan of the motor.

Matt



[This message has been edited by Matt M (edited 07-02-2001).]

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