VOLTAGE OPTIMISATION (VO)
“AN INTRODUCTION” T:01246 455565 / E:
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WHY VOLTAGE OPTIMISATION • Well-established and proven technology • Identified as a significant growth market • Value added products – selling a saving • Government targets on energy reduction • Legislative support for energy reduction • Commercial and environmental drivers – customers have good reason to buy energy saving products
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SO WHAT IS VOLTAGE OPTIMISATION ? Quite simply it is to reduce the voltage applied to electrical equipment. If the reduction in supply voltage is carefully matched to the needs of the electrical equipment it is possible to make a substantial energy saving and extend the equipment's life expectancy.
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WHY CAN THE VOLTAGE BE REDUCED? European legislation was introduced in 1993 to standardise the supply voltage across Europe in order to provide two major benefits. • Allowed electricity to be generated and supplied from one country to another. • Allowed electrical equipment manufactures to design appliances that could be used throughout Europe. Prior to this, equipment was manufactured for use at two different voltages, one for the UK and one for continental Europe.
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WHY CAN THE VOLTAGE BE REDUCED? The European harmonised supply voltage was initially agreed at::
230v +6% -4% (220v-243v)
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WHY CAN THE VOLTAGE BE REDUCED? But after much lobbying by UK generating companies the tolerance was extended and finally agreed at:
230v +/-10% (207v-253v) T:01246 455565 / E:
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WHY CAN THE VOLTAGE BE REDUCED? As a result voltages here in the UK remain significantly higher than on the continent. • 220-230v in Europe
• 238-248v in the UK - (242v national average)
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Most importantly this means that the equipment is designed to operate at the harmonised voltage.
230v +/-10% (207-253V).
The onus for voltage harmonisation was placed on the electrical equipment manufactures. All electrical equipment intended for use in Europe must carry a CE mark to show that it complies with the relevant harmonised standards. T:01246 455565 / E:
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Because the European market is far larger than the UK market electrical equipment is predominantly designed to operate most efficiently at 220v. For example AAA rated appliances are AAA rated at 220v rather than 240v which we experience in the UK.
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Therefore a large proportion of electrical equipment consumes more energy the higher the supply voltage applied to it.
Because of this it makes more sense to reduce the supply voltage nearer to the lower end of the CE voltage range.
Voltage Optimisation products are designed to provide a supply voltage of around 220V T:01246 455565 / E:
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But if the voltage is reduced won’t the current simply increase?
To explain this we need to consider Ohms Law
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OHMS LAW I = 10 Amps
V = 100 Volts
I = Current (amps) V = Volts R = Resistance (Ohms) Electrical Equipment R = 10 Ohms
Therefore you would consume 1000W T:01246 455565 / E:
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OHMS LAW
I = Current (amps) V = Volts R = Resistance (Ohms) I = 9 Amps
V = 90 Volts
Electrical Equipment R = 10 Ohms
Therefore you would consume 810W T:01246 455565 / E:
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I = Current (amps) V = Volts R = Resistance (Ohms) With the right type of equipment, for every 1% reduction in voltage, you will see roughly a 2% reduction in energy consumption! OHMS LAW
This is the principle of Voltage Optimisation T:01246 455565 / E:
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VOLTAGE OPTIMISATION Household appliances typical savings Appliance
Saving
Hairdryer
19%
Washing machine (full load)
17%
Washing machine (half load)
18%
Dish washer
16%
Tumble dryer
11%
Microwave
21%
Vacuum cleaner
13%
Fridge
10%
Freezer
10%
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THE RIGHT TYPES OF EQUIPMENT? SON, Metal Halide, Mercury Switch start fluorescent Compact fluorescent Tungsten halogen
Very High
Mains frequency lighting
High
None thermostatically controlled heating
Very Good
Fixed speed motors (lightly or intermittently loaded)
Air conditioning, Presses Air compressors, Pumps Refrigeration, Fans Conveyors, Machine shops
White goods
Fridges & freezes Microwaves Washing machines Dishwashers
Good
Moderate
Modest
Low
Very Low
Office & IT equipment Continuously heavily loaded fixed speed motors Other electronic equipment Variable speed, DC or servo controlled motors
Towel rails Hand dryers Hair dryers Frost protection
VDUs Desktop PCs Photocopiers Printers
Different types of equipment deliver different levels of energy saving for the same reduction in voltage The table on the left shows the hierarchy of energy savings for the same reduction in voltage.
Applications similar to fixed speed motors (above)
Therefore with a typical mix of equipment and an average supply voltage a 10% energy Applications similar to fixed speed motors (above) saving is possible in most instances. T:01246 455565 / E:
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Provides instant energy savings up to 15%
•
Reduces carbon emissions
•
Can improve the power factor
•
Can reduce the amount of harmonic distortion
•
Provides protection against voltage transients of up to 25Kv
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Extends the life of electrical equipment
•
Excellent return on investment 2-4yr payback
•
Works well with PV and other renewables
•
An accepted proven technology
BENEFITS OF VO T:01246 455565 / E:
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Single phase range designed specifically for electrical contractors to use in domestic and light commercial applications.
• Single phase 63A (15KVa) fully rated unit. • Typical energy savings of 7-15% • Typical payback 2-4 years • 5 year manufactures warranty • 7.5% Voltage drop (drops 242volts down to 222volts
• Made in the UK
B60 VO T:01246 455565 / E:
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B60 PVM Key features:
• Can operate continuously at the rated current • 7.5% Voltage drop • No moving parts • Very quiet • Five year warranty • RCBO connection point for Solar • MID Meter – Display to show KWh
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VOLTAGE OPTIMISATION Description
Input (Volts)
Output (Volts) Max Load Dimensions
B60 Domestic Voltage Optimisation Unit Nominal input voltage 235-253V, 50Hz, Single Phase AC Nominal input voltage less 7.5% 14 kW 310mm x 235mm x 100mm
Weight Operating Temp Terminal Capacity
Approx. 10kgs -5oC to + 40 oC Incoming Live – 35.0mm2 Outgoing Live – 35.0mm2 Incoming Neutral – 35.0mm2 Outgoing Neutral – 35.0mm2
MCB
63Amp 6kA Type B to BS EN 60898
Enclosure Ingress Protection Cable Entry Facility
Mild Steel Powder Coated IP20 Bottom – 2 x 32mm Rear – 2 x 32mm
Standards Document Revision
MCBs to BS EN 60898 V2.4 Apr 2015 T:01246 455565 / E:
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