Why there is a high voltage in the network and how to deal with it

Causes

An increased voltage in the network can occur for a number of reasons, both emergency and technological, due to the characteristics of your electrical networks. Let's consider several situations in more detail:

1. Fluctuations caused by the difference in consumption in the network day and night. The voltage rises closer to midnight, when all residents are sleeping, and nearby large energy consumers are not working. In the afternoon, the voltage can be normal or even reduced.
2. In winter, the network is normal, and in summer, the volt in the outlet is more than normal. Also related to the difference in power consumption. In winter, heaters are turned on, in connection with this, the load increases, and drawdowns on the line increase.
3. Burning Zero and phase imbalance. When the neutral wire is faulty, for example, when there is a contact problem at the entrance to the house or the zero has completely burned out, the voltage in apartments connected to one phase will be high - up to and more than 300 volts, depending on how asymmetrical the load is. But in apartments connected to other phases, there will be undervoltage. A similar situation occurs with problems with zero in external power lines, then the problem will be not only in apartments, but entire streets with private houses can suffer.

The first two problems are caused by the device of the transformer substation, they are equipped with an on-load tap-changer (regulation device under load), boost booster transformers or other technical solutions. Thus, the voltage is adjusted for correct power supply.

But let's say that there is a long street in the village of private houses. Then the substation is equipped in such a way as to provide normal power to remote consumers, then those consumers located closer to the transformer substation will have high voltage, and in the last houses it will be normal or low. This is especially acute at a time when the line is heavily loaded.

The danger of high voltage

We figured out why there is an increased voltage in the electrical network, but what is its danger? This phenomenon in the network is dangerous primarily for household appliances. Although modern devices install pulsed power supplies with stabilized output circuits, their input stages experience increased loads and can fail prematurely.

Also affected are heating devices - boilers, electric stoves, heating elements of washing machines and more. Due to the high voltage, an increased current flows through their spirals.Accordingly, more power is released and the service life is reduced. This is especially dangerous for air heating elements, for example, convector filaments and spirals.

Such a malfunction of the electrical network is also unfavorable for equipment with engines, such as compressor refrigerators, air conditioners, fans and pumps. Their windings will warm up and may eventually fail. The same applies to line transformers.

Do not forget that since the current consumption increases due to the high voltage, the wiring is also loaded. In the best case, the consequences will lead to damage to the contact joints (especially if there are twists), and in the worst case, to the burning of wires, melting of the insulation and fire.

Where to go to solve the problem

You can influence the situation, but let's decide where to complain if the network is high voltage. You need to find out from your neighbors how things are going in their houses and apartments. After you come to a common opinion, contact the supplying company or network organization, or find out who the balance holder of the power transformer substation is.

After this, you need to submit a collective application on behalf of the residents of the house or neighborhood. A single statement is usually not enough, so the more repeated calls, the sooner they will fix the problem! The application must be submitted in duplicate, one remains with the applicants, but in it the organization to which the applicant applies must put a mark on acceptance. Otherwise, you cannot prove that you were contacted.

If your home appliances fail due to surges or an unstable power supply, do the same. We described this process in more detail in the article:https://our.electricianexp.com/en/sgorela-bytovaya-texnika-iz-za-skachka-napryazheniya.html.

What to do to reduce stress at home

If for some reason the collective appeal to the organization is difficult, or the electricity supplier ignores the statements without providing quality energy, you can lower the voltage in your apartment or for a specific device.

To do this, you need a voltage regulator, the cheapest option is a relay type stabilizer. With it, the power supply in a private house will return to its rated parameters. We considered this issue in more detail in the article:https://our.electricianexp.com/en/kak-ponizit-postoyannoe-i-peremennoe-napryazhenie.html.

And if you can connect to three phases - install phase switch, for example, PEF-301. He will automatically select the line with the best parameters. Or voltage relay type RN-111 to protect the most expensive consumers. If its rated current is not enough - connect the load through the contactor.

Finally, we recommend watching a useful video on the topic of the article:

Now you know what are the causes of high voltage in a house or apartment, as well as how to protect equipment from the negative impact of this phenomenon. We hope the information provided was useful and interesting for you!

Related materials:

• Network overvoltage
• How to choose a stabilizer for the home
• The main faults in the wiring