Reduction in the cost of electricity bills

BexTech

In 1988 an agreement was reached that voltage levels across Europe
should be unified at 230V single phase with effect from January 1st,
1995.

The tolerance levels have become -6% to +10%, giving a single-phase
voltage spread of 216 V to 253. With the possible widening of tolerance
levels to +/- 10% in 2008.

As 240V fits within this tolerance level the UK power distribution
networks remain supplying electricity to the home at around the 240v
mark.

By reducing the actual voltage received we would see around an 8%
reduction in energy used and therefore around an 8% reduction in the
cost of our electricity bills.

http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/230volt

penrhyn

No it wouldn't, you would still require the same amount of energy to boil a kettle, run a freezer or any other appliance. In the case of a kettle it would simply take longer to boil so the energy consumption would remain the same.

BexTech

penrhyn wrote: »

No it wouldn't, you would still require the same amount of energy to boil a kettle, run a freezer or any other appliance. In the case of a kettle it would simply take longer to boil so the energy consumption would remain the same.

TV, PC, DVD Player, VCR and many other things would all work fine and use less.

Yes, a kettle would take a little longer to boil.

penrhyn

Wrong again I'm afraid, they will consume exactly the same power as their internal supplies are regulated and in the event of the supply dropping they will simply use slightly more current from the mains. Amps times volts = watts.

Cardew

Are you suggesting that in the USA where the voltage is 110v that their appliances cost less to run? I am using my UK laptop in the USA right now; it ain't consuming half the power!

If voltage drops you will use less power for fixed resistance items like bulbs and heating elements, but your light will be dimmer and your heater will give out less heat.

Ohms law still applies.

BexTech

Don't worry, I know when I did my electronics course a lot of people could never understand it.

penrhyn

Exactly your laptop will consume the same power whether its running on 110v or 240v.

I was simply pointing out that a reduction in the mains voltage would not result in a pro rata reduction in the amount of power consumed.
I'm not disputing ohms law, reduce the voltage and of course the current also reduces, however the appliance as to work for longer e.g my boiling kettle or the thermostat on my electric heater.

dc

Cardew wrote: »

Are you suggesting that in the USA where the voltage is 110v that their appliances cost less to run? I am using my UK laptop in the USA right now; it ain't consuming half the power!

If voltage drops you will use less power for fixed resistance items like bulbs and heating elements, but your light will be dimmer and your heater will give out less heat.

Ohms law still applies.

Happy holiday? or is it work, you MSE addict.

I think you are both correct, to use a specific amount of power, as for boiling water, the energy used will be the same. Cardew's laptop has a power converter ( inverter/regulater ), so again the power will be the same.


However in static loads like say an electric fire or a filament light bulb where the load is fixed then the energy used would be reduced.
The light bulb would be dimmer so it might get replaced by a higher wattage one to see what you are doing better,;) and the fire would possibly be left on longer. Energy Saving light bulbs may not work, or would cost the same, by using more current to achieve the tube striking voltage. Cos they have active circuitry.

So BexTech is only partially correct and the savings would be a fraction of the theoretical 8%.
Many EU countries have 230, or 220 volt systems, A product of their generating systems, and sadly, I can remember when certain UK villages and towns had a DC supply, cos the council or local pit supplied the leccy. Whoops doesn't time fly.

Cardew

I think we might be at cross purposes here - and I am a chartered Electrical engineer.

I was agreeing with penrhyn.

You don't get ought for now't.

We pay for power consumed in kWh. (we won't get into the complexities of power Factor)

Obviously if you have lower voltage applied to a fixed resistance, like a heater or light bulb, you will consume less power. However you will produce less heat or less light.

My laptop in the USA simply draws more current to produce the 30 odd Watts it requires to function.

It is like saying if we restrict the water flow from our taps we will use less water. Absolutely true; but it will take longer to fill the bucket.

melbury

Cardew wrote: »

I think we might be at cross purposes here - and I am a chartered Electrical engineer.

I was agreeing with penrhyn.

You don't get ought for now't.

We pay for power consumed in kWh. (we won't get into the complexities of power Factor)

Obviously if you have lower voltage applied to a fixed resistance, like a heater or light bulb, you will consume less power. However you will produce less heat or less light.

My laptop in the USA simply draws more current to produce the 30 odd Watts it requires to function.

It is like saying if we restrict the water flow from our taps we will use less water. Absolutely true; but it will take longer to fill the bucket.

Oh Cardew you are so dedicated to this site and give such good advice in a very amusing way - don't ever leave!!!

dc

Cardew wrote: »

It is like saying if we restrict the water flow from our taps we will use less water. Absolutely true; but it will take longer to fill the bucket.

But we don't always need a full bucket.

Have a safe journey home, and I hope the jet-lag is kind.

Great to hear the water analogy is still alive and well, and that C comes before meter. :beer: .