Overvoltage

[Deleted User]

AndyPK, thanks for the reply. Are you speaking from an engineering view? I have just set my data logger to record at 30 second intervals and it will start at 8pm tonight and will run for 24 hours. It will be interesting to see what happens.
The accuracy of the logger is 0.5% of reading so taking the previous maximum of 259.4volts it could be 1.3volts out. Interesting that last time over a measurement period of 12 hrs 40mins the AVERAGE voltage was 254.7volts.

[Deleted User]

Jack...have a read of my earlier posts and you'll see that digging up anything appears totally unnecessary. In any case I fail to understand why any 'digging up' would resolve this issue unless you know otherwise. Anyway the bulk of the cabling from the transformer is overhead, it's only the last 200m that goes underground and that is less than 30 years old. But to be fair I didn't detail that in my earlier posts. I can understand how undervoltage could be a cabling issue but not overvoltage.

[Deleted User]

Whether it involves digging up is not the issue, my point is that if the problem is small so is the motivation to fix it.

If it's just the computer at risk, a transformer to reduce the supply by a few volts won't cost you much.

[Deleted User]

Jack.....why do I need to reduce the voltage when the grid voltage is above the specified limits? This is the problem I have here with the comments. I am reasonably happy to resolve the damaged equipment BUT why if the maximum voltage under the regulations is 253volts are most people telling me either it doesn't matter if it goes above this or I should spend money sorting it? You know if I buy petrol of a specified octane I expect to get what I pay for because there a standard that the manufacturers have to comply with. I don't expect people to say to me "oh well I know the octane is too high...just go out and spend some money and correct it (if that were possible) yourself".....

[Deleted User]

It's not me you need to argue with, I'm just trying to explain why I don't think you have any chance of getting anywhere. The likelihood that 260V is doing any harm is negligible, it's a lot more likely that the failure was either caused by a transient during the storm or else some other latent fault with the UPS. If you complain about petrol that's the wrong octane the first thing you're going to get asked is "so what's the problem", and in this case you haven't really got anything other than a post hoc argument.

[Deleted User]

I have already said that I have replaced the UPS. My issue is with overvoltage and I still continue to wait for a satisfactory answer to my question which is why when the regulations clearly say that the maximum uk voltage is 253volts are the authorities and most people on here so relaxed about it? If the maximum is 253volts then you do not exceed it and if you do so and if you are told then you do something about it. Obviously it seems that regulations are not important in the electricity industry when you are the supplier.

keith1950

You appear to have tunnel vision and think you know better than everyone else.
Yes, try to get an answer to why the mains supply in your area is above spec. but don't try to use this slightly high voltage to justify the alleged damage you have incurred.
A genuine overvoltage will blow just about every appliance that is switched on in the house whereas a slightly higher than normal steady voltage will not affect anything.
Some people say a little knowledge is dangerous and his seems to be the case with you.
You appear to just want to argue the toss with everyone when you just don't have a leg to stand on.

[Deleted User]

Keith.....kettle pot black with regards to the tunnel vision sunshine. You need to read what I have repeated here many times that the UPS is not the issue, it has been replaced. It's demise caused me to check voltages. Regulations exist for all manner of things, often for safety. You should read up gas regs to verify this. If you're happy to have something out of spec that is entirely up to you but in my business, HVAC, I have to comply with specifications and regulations. I came here looking for useful guidance but from your input I can see it's totally pointless.

JC_Derby

So out of statutory limits.


Who is your utility company?
do you mean the distribution network owner? have they been informed?
What is your Ze reading?


Im afraid the DNo will not take your readings as 'read' and will want to install their own equipment. If you are out of statutory limits, they should have (possibly) taken your supply off.

[Deleted User]

Hi JC.

I haven't taken the Ze reading as personally I don't have the equipment. However within an hour or so of me reporting the results from my data logger....see this link for what I use

https://www.geminidataloggers.com/data-loggers/tinytag-energy-data-logger/tge-0002

a UK Power Networks engineer was on site at my house. He disconnected my supply by removing the main fuse and measured the voltage at the end of the incoming supply and agreed that there was a voltage well in excess of 253 volts. This was about a month ago. A further call to them has confirmed that a data logger is due to be installed at my house and I am still waiting for this to be done.

The voltage varies from night to day and from day to day but I suppose that's to be expected with some businesses in the area.

Now I fully accept that appliances can operate at excess voltages but we all know that raise the voltage and that will inevitably cause premature failure. Some years back I was involved with a couple of large public buildings where amongst all the other works we carried out we installed voltage optimisation equipment to actually lower the voltage in the entire buildings. So I understand the benefits of lower voltage. I am concerned about my voltages above the 253v point. While I understand all that has been said my point is that 253v is a maximum set by regulations but so far most here seem to dismiss this.