Voltage Regulators?

[Leon Retro]

I have this problem with the power in my house. In the daytime, the voltage seems to lower, and my equipment starts having problems.

The main thing I notice is my Television, the image starts shaking and wobbling, quite badly, and on my Monitor too. It goes back to normal late at night though, which indicates that I have a power dip in the day, especially the evenings.

Does anyone know anything about ' Voltage Regulator Machines '

I have looked around, and I know they exist, but it's difficult to find any real info on what to buy.

I need one that isn't geared towards PC's, it must be one I can use with all my equipment. Is there one that plugs in to the wall and then you plug your equipment into it, so that it may regulate the voltage, to make sure it doesn't dip.

If anyone knows how these things work and where I can get one, even better if someone has one they can recommend, please help!

[Hohum]

That sounds pretty dodgy, personally i'd get an electrician round to check things out before looking around for that device. That problem could cause damage in the long term.

[Freddo]

yeah as with most things mains related get a pro in.

[Leon Retro]

It's a problem all homes suffer from. In America a firm called Monster do a regulator for home cinema equipment.

They have a list of reasons why you need one. The image on a television can look bad sometimes and a hi-fi's sound can be poor, because of dips in power. This happens to everyone, it's just something not many people worry about. It's really getting on my nerves though, and it can potentially damage equipment.

Does anyone know where I can get one to plug in to my main socket in my room and allow you to plug the home cinema equipment in to it??

LOOK HERE: http://www.monstercable.com/power/AVS2000_feature.asp

This explains what I am talking about, and why I want a 240v UK version.

[Hohum]

Maybe so, but your problem seems very pronounced... picture on your tv and monitor wobbling? I've personally never seen anything like that.

[Super Stu]

Crappy local substation, crappy local exchange. I don't suppose you have a crap postman and sewer system there too?

If you're concerned about brown outs, I suppose you could get a small APS for the PC - that certainly applies a level of voltage filtering between component and source.

But I'd have your breaker board and wiring checked first, and ring your electricity supplier.

[Ginger Tosser]

Years ago my previous employer would install Constant Voltage Transformers (CVT) for users with a poor supply, i googled and found this site

It might also be worth looking at a small UPS for your PC and this might smooth the voltage as well.

/edit As i was bored i called the above site, they have an industrial unit (AGT 1000J) which retails around ?500, they are producing a consumer level product around the ?800 price mark. Me i'd move house!

[Leon Retro]

Yep, my area is crap, everything seems wrong.

I called the electric board and a guy came out. My voltage is very low, 210v,

It should be minimum 230v, and obviously 240v is what it should be.

I guess with the dips in the evening, I must be getting a very low voltage and as the guy said, a dangerously low level.

I am going to try and get them to sort it out, this is a serious situation.

All my televisions and montiors screens wobble like jelly and my lights are dim.

Its like a haunted house, help me!!

[Ciaran]

Did the guy from the electricity board say they would/could do anything?

Surely there obligated to something since your getting a sub standard service.

[Leon Retro]

Yep, I got very serious with the guy on the phone and he contacted his team leader. They are sending a digger in tomorrow and are going to try and fix it.

I looked at my TV manual and it says it needs 220v minimum. No wonder it's playing-up, the poor thing needs more juice.

I am praying they sort it.

[MD]

The UK no longer uses 240V, the voltage has now been officially dropped to 230V to standardise voltages across Europe.

[Leon Retro]

Its still 20v below that at its best, at it's worst it seems like a nightmare.

I read that even a 3v drop can seriously effect tv's etc...

[Hohum]

Well hey, look on the bright side... if it drops any lower you won't need stepdowns for any of your import gear anymore

[MD]

The lower the voltage drops the most the current rises and this is what is dangerous, under 220V and you are pushing what the TVs PSU can probably handle.

[Leon Retro]

The road was dug-up today and they fixed the problem. My lights are now bright and my internet works again, I just pray it stays this way.

Thanks for all the advise though, some interesting little snippets on this thread.