What regulates the voltage

[rmaynard]

Of the supply coming into my house?

At present i have between 258v and 261v coming into the house?

Rob

 

[johnboy6083]

The voltage will be set by the tappings on the 11kv/400v transformer at yourlocal substation. This voltage willbe at its highest nearer the substation, and at its lowest at the far ends of the distribution circuits.
When demand for electricityis low, then the voltage will be at its highest, and when the transfromer is fully loaded, then the voltage will drop.
I beleive that some transformers have on load tap changers to compensate for the volt drop, when demand is high.
Tony/Mechelec are probably the experts in large power distibution here.

 

[rmaynard]

thanks, that makes sense as we are only about 80 yards from the transformer

Rob

 

[plugsandsparks]

Thats is really too high, are you having any equipment failures, lamps blowing too quickly PSUs randomly breaking etc. A call to DNO is the only way to get it down, whether they will respond is another matter.

 

[drew35]

Tell the DNO they need to replace your 80" TV as they've just melted it, and the kettle...

 

[Knobhead]

As has been said get the DNO involved. It’s either that or waste your own money on a voltage optimiser.

 

[rmaynard]

We have a lot of lamps blowing prematurely, don't like ringing the dno, keep getting into arguments with them

 

[ipf]

Tell them you've had a few lamps explode. They might take an interest.

 

[Knobhead]

We have a lot of lamps blowing prematurely, don't like ringing the dno, keep getting into arguments with them

You'll just have to keep buying new lamps then.

 

[rmaynard]

i wouldn't be lying, couple of times gu10's have popped out and broke

 

[rmaynard]

You'll just have to keep buying new lamps then.

will be upto my landlord to sort this out

 

[bomjac]

Maybe you don't like dealing with them, but they do have a legal requirement to provde you with power within set guidelines. If the power they are supplying you with is outwith of those, then it is up to them to fix it.

230 V ±10% (207 V to 253 V) is the limits they are duty bound to supply you at.

 

[ipf]

You'll just have to keep buying new lamps then.

Might cost less than the phone calls, eh.

 

[Spazz]

They have a legal responsibility to ensure that the voltage entering the house remains between 225v and 254v - call them up on the emergency and tell them that your house is at 258v - 261v they will be out today to check it.

Or you can just leave it and watch your bulbs blow followed by that 60" TV you just bought and that expensive kitchen and computer which is not on the serge protector

 

[Spazz]

Well as your renting get your landlord to phone them up - even better if you dont get on with them!

The landlord has a legal responsibility to maintain and provide a safe working system - that is neither!

 

[Geoffsd]

From Wikipedia -

Since 1960, the supply voltage in UK domestic premises has been 240 V AC (RMS) at 50 Hz. In 1988, a Europe-wide agreement was reached to unify the various national voltages, which ranged at the time from 220 V to 240 V, to a common European standard of 230V (CENELEC Harmonization Document HD 472 S1:1988).
The standard nominal supply voltage in domestic single-phase 50 Hz installations in the UK is still 240V AC (RMS), but since 1 January 1995 (Electricity Supply Regulations, SI 1994, No. 3021) this has an asymmetric voltage tolerance of 230 V+10%−6% (253–216.2 V), which covers the same voltage range as continental 220 V supplies to the new unified 230 V standard. This was supposed to be widened to 230 V ±10% (253–207 V), but the time of this change has been put back repeatedly and as of 2007 is set for 2008 (BS 7697). The old standard was 240 V ±6% (254.4–225.6 V), which is mostly contained within the new range, and so in practice suppliers have had no reason to actually change voltages.
The continued deviation in the UK from the harmonised European voltage has been criticised in particular by light bulb manufacturers, who require tighter voltage tolerances to optimise the operating temperature and lifetime of their products, and who currently have to continue producing separate 230 V and 240 V versions.

 

[Guitarist]

Just to put things in perspective....

"A 230 V rated lamp used at 240 V will achieve only 55% of its rated life"

Extracted from The Electricians Guide Fifth Edition
by John Whitfield

 

[UNG]

230 V ±10% (207 V to 253 V) is the limits they are duty bound to supply you at.

I think you will find this was never enacted see Geoffsd post. Although from a recent chat with someone from a DNO it is up for discussion again and may be introduced in a couple of years time

 

[Engineer54]

I think you will find this was never enacted see Geoffsd post. Although from a recent chat with someone from a DNO it is up for discussion again and may be introduced in a couple of years time

Well if it hasn't been acted on, then the older +10 / -6% must still be in effect!!
So still good reason to contact the DNO then, ...Right?? As it will be still outside of the +10% ...lol!!

 

[Philpot]

I had a problem with high voltage and contacted Scottish Power who sorted the problem very easily. They put a monitor in the supply for a week and admitted it was too high. They sorted it in about 2 months. I think they said that they are obliged by law to do it in 6 months( I think 6 months). They had a dedicated engineer who dealt with over and under voltage. Give them a call or you may wait a long time for the landlord!!! The monitor showed that it got very high during the night, a bit like water pressure goes up as the demand falls.
Phil