Constant auto recloser power cuts

Debc73

For the last ten years I have suffered auto recloser powercuts. I have complained many many times to Scottish Power but it appears there is nothing they can do. Apparently they are caused by trees and cows and the like brushing up against the equipment! Sorry but that doesnt seem like a reasonable explanation - this is the 21st century after all. Over the years we have had a constant battle against electrical items breaking (including 4 sky boxes, 2 boilers, 4 pc's and a laptop to name but a few). Today an auto reclose episode happened while my washer was in full spin. The power came back on and my washer started to make a funny noise then gave off a burning smell followed by arcing electricity underneath. It now doesn't work!!!
Can anyone tell me if I have any right to compensation for a new washing machine as I don't feel that Scottish Power have done anything to rectify whatever causes the auto recloser episodes to happen.
Thanks everyone.

Ich_2

as I don't feel that Scottish Power have done anything to rectify whatever causes the auto recloser episodes to happen.

I doubt that your feelings about it would be proof that they had failed to deal with the problem

Auto-reclose operation is a facet of the operation of overhead lines in a rural area, in addition to the causes you have mentioned others are birds, debris hitting the lines in windy weather, 3rd party damage, lightning strikes, equipment failures and a huge lot more. If the line is long it will be more susceptible to faults (more to go faulty).
Also bear in mind that every trip/close, if the auto-reclose was not there, would be a power cut until staff attended to switch it back on.

You should also realise that no DNO guarantees a supply of electricity but will comply with the relevant legislation regarding quality, auto-reclose operation not being covered by this legislation.

Terrylw1

The guaranteed standards of service apply to multiple service interuptions over 3 hours over a year. However, if this goes off for Avery short to e it won't be covered. In terms of legislation, you go look on ofgems site for the dics which cover the t&cs of their supply licence in regard to damage caused.

Is it possibly more to do with the manufacturer not producing a product to handle this activity? Surely the product should handle a sudden loss of power? A surge would be more likely to cause damage wouldn't it? Sorry, I'm just trying to understand it since this has happened in terms of power cuts to me and not caused any problems...other than having to set all digital clocks again!

Ich_2

Is it possibly more to do with the manufacturer not producing a product to handle this activity?

Which is a whole different story! But the number of calls that come in reporting voltage issues that actually relate to equipment not being designed to UK specs regarding voltage limits is quite high.
(not to mention all the high volts calls that are now being caused by PV installations)

rogerblack

Terrylw1 wrote: »

Is it possibly more to do with the manufacturer not producing a product to handle this activity? Surely the product should handle a sudden loss of power? A surge would be more likely to cause damage wouldn't it?

I wonder if the voltage is ever significantly out of spec due to this.
For example, I can imagine some shorts causing excessive voltage on other wires before the breaker pops.

If I was in the OPs position, I would with regret, and much annoyance, be investing in a whole-house surge protector, and putting low-power stuff behind a UPS.

Ich_2

It is rare for the voltage to be significantly above the norm (apart from one case for a fault on the Low Voltage system). The concept of a surge is often mentioned but I've yet to see this actually happen (after nearly 40 years in the industry)

Terrylw1

If voltage truly was a problem, I would expect it to be a more public subject as it would surely affect more than one household.

I'm not familiar with this as ICH clearly is. I'm more familiar with the complaints for compensation caused by power cuts and the damage caused to such as stock in fridges. Those are much more common and very inconvenient to businesses especially.

rogerblack

Ich wrote: »

It is rare for the voltage to be significantly above the norm (apart from one case for a fault on the Low Voltage system). The concept of a surge is often mentioned but I've yet to see this actually happen (after nearly 40 years in the industry)

I'm not referring to far over normal - but perhaps 270 for a moment - say.

And while everything blowing would get reports - perhaps one or two items per house per year won't.

Or they'll get ignored after the householder is informed that no compensation is available.

Badly designed appliances may not cope with rapid power cycles, of course.
Especially if they are somewhat older.

spiro

I would invest in some surge protectors to protect your equipment if this is frequent enough to warrant the cost.

Ich_2

I'm not referring to far over normal - but perhaps 270 for a moment - say

Again not something that I've ever seen.
The problem that could be occurring is that switch mode power supplies are failing. When a fault occurs voltages are depressed over a fairly large area this the power supplies can cope with. When the automatic protection clears the fault however, I am of the view that some fail to adjust to the new correct voltage quickly enough and fail. As this is a facet of power networks it is a more likely design/build fault.

I think the perception of a surge is when lights appear to go suddenly brighter after they have dimmed owing to the reduced volts (even momentary)

Debc73

Thanks everyone. To clarify this isn't just my house. It's our whole block. Areas around us don't suffer the loss of power we do. Scottish power ran a voltage test a few years ago and we had a meter checking for drop in supply. That all came back clear. I have surge protectors on most items however it is not recommended that you use an extension lead on a washing machine. None the less it cannot be good for electrical items to keep losing power. During the summer we can have as many as 15 auto reclosers in a week - the worst being 17 in one day! Surely Scottish Power have a responsibility to act upon these and put preventative measures in place.