Electricity supply voltage dips

linclass

Evening all, this is on behalf of my friend, someone that EVERYTHING just happens to. She's living ruraly, ex-Railway workers cottage. She has 2 electric ovens. She claims that when we get cold weather, that the supply is very weak - voltage drop?? Is this possible? She said she's contacted the energy supplier, that just laughed when she explained. I suggested she gets an independent Electrician to test the voltage when it drops, and she can give that to the supplier. So, is it possible the voltage could drop? She was roasting a small Chicken a couple of weeks back and it still wasn't ready 4 hours later... BOTH ovens show the lower temperatures. Advice needed please?

Thanks

footyguy

linclass wrote: »

Evening all, this is on behalf of my friend, someone that EVERYTHING just happens to. She's living ruraly, ex-Railway workers cottage. She has 2 electric ovens. She claims that when we get cold weather, that the supply is very weak - voltage drop?? Is this possible? She said she's contacted the energy supplier, that just laughed when she explained. I suggested she gets an independent Electrician to test the voltage when it drops, and she can give that to the supplier. So, is it possible the voltage could drop? She was roasting a small Chicken a couple of weeks back and it still wasn't ready 4 hours later... BOTH ovens show the lower temperatures. Advice needed please?

Thanks

Well anything is possible.

I'm sure the voltage was often reduced back in the 70's - that's when you weren't blacked out completely.

But nowadays the requirement is that voltage must be 230 V +10% / -6%

So it'll be interesting if a qualified electrician gets evidence that it is outside that range.

(I'd be tempted to look first at the condition of the oven, rather than the incoming voltage)

If there is a significant voltage drop, it wouldn't just affect the ovens - you'd notice a distinct dimming of lights etc

Btw, she'll probably get no joy from her supplier if there is a fault. You probably need to contact the local distributor. (similar to if you have a power cut)

Cardew

She doesn't need to go to the expense of getting an electrician. For a few pounds you can get a simple plug-in monitor and check the voltage at times she thinks the voltage is dropping.

Robin9

As above nothing to do with her energy supplier.

Ring the local distributor and they can monitor the voltage at the meter position.

It may well be OK there but electric ovens have a high power need.

[Deleted User]

I had a similar problem a few years ago and the distributor (not the supplier) sent me a voltage recorder which plugs into a 13a socket and records voltage fluctuations for a set period decided by the distributor. Then you unplug it and post it back in a prepaid envelope for them to check.

This recorder will show if the voltage falls outside the statutory range.

JJ_Egan

Cooker slow cooking its often the temperature control .

linclass

Thank you all very much for this. I'll pass the info on to pal.

Owain_Moneysaver

It's not impossible. In cold weather there may be a greater heating load, and if there's poor supply voltage regulation (probably due to a poor connection somewhere) then the voltage could dip.

However, she would probably notice dim or flickering lights.

If the ovens - and only the ovens - are affected it's more likely to be an intermittent poor connection in the ovens or the oven circuit. This needs urgent investigation as a poor connection could overheat and cause a fire.

Or it could be the oven temperature control(s).

Would suggest getting an electrician to check first.