How often have you brought a brand-new home appliance without buying a voltage stabiliser? Probably never. If you live in a country where your electricity supply is plagued with voltage fluctuations, you will need stabilisers to safeguard your appliances. Stabilisers are essential to prevent expensive appliances from permanently damaging by power fluctuations.
A voltage stabiliser will give your appliances a long life and is a long-term investment. Our blog discusses everything you need to know about voltage stabilisers and what to consider when investing in one.
As small and compact as they seem, voltage stabilisers are powerful electrical devices designed to recognise and regulate voltage fluctuations and deliver a consistent voltage output range.
Let’s explain how a stabiliser works without sounding complicated and technical. When your utility voltage is too low, the in-built electronic circuit in your stabiliser senses it, enabling an electromagnetic relay to compensate for the voltage loss and feed the regulated power to the connected equipment. When the incoming voltage is too high, the stabiliser activates another electromagnetic relay to deduct the excess voltage.
What Powers Your Voltage Stabiliser?
Your voltage stabiliser is no less of an engineering marvel. They are built with electronic circuitry that uses electromagnetic relays to change the taps of the in-built autotransformer to generate the desired voltage when the power fluctuates. When the voltage supply falls outside the range, a mechanism switches the transformer tap and brings the supply into the safe range.
There is no dearth of stabilisers in today’s market. Voltage stabilisers are in high demand due to the influx of innovative home appliances into the consumer market. Stabilisers designed with the latest technology can protect your expensive home appliances from voltage fluctuations for a long time. However, there is one contingency: You cannot use the same type of stabiliser for all your appliances. There is no “one-size-fits-all” because different stabilisers are needed for different appliances.
It is important to choose a voltage stabiliser, especially for the appliance to which it will be attached. Stabilisers are classified according to the following:
All appliances are designed to operate on a specific energy limit, and voltage stabilisers are manufactured with these specifications. Based on these criteria, there are different stabilisers available for:
It is not right to pick any stabilisers off the shelf. It is crucial to select the right one, and you need to consider aspects such as:
When you purchase a new refrigerator or air conditioner for your house, your salesman will recommend you to club your purchase with a stabiliser. Here are five technical factors to check when before paying for the voltage stabiliser:
1. Working range
The working range of a stabiliser is the voltage range in which the stabiliser regulates the input voltage and delivers the desired output.
2. Load connection
One of the most important aspects is the nature of the load connected to the stabiliser. Getting the VA (or Volt Ampere) from Watts (W) will require some measurements, but you can approximate the VA size by increasing Watts by 20%.
3. Surge current
You should also consider the surge current that flows through your device when you switch it on.
4. Voltage rating
Every stabiliser has a specification sticker with information about the following:
The standard service voltage for stabilisers manufactured in India is 230 VAC, 50 Hertz.
5. Stabiliser rating
You can calculate the stabiliser rating by multiplying 230 x maximum rated current for all the appliances you want to connect to the device and adding an extra 20-25%. If you intend to add more appliances to it, you need to keep a buffer accordingly.
Next, you should look for certain features to ensure you are buying an upgraded device. A good, modern stabiliser should have the following:
Are you still in a dilemma about investing in stabilisers? Do you think your TV or air conditioner does not require a stabiliser because it has upgraded technology? Well, think again, or you could end up with a severely damaged device.
A good stabiliser will not cost much, and even if it does, it is not an expense, but an investment, because it:
1. Prevents equipment malfunction
All electronic devices come with safe operating limitations, and any non-compliance can have disastrous consequences for your device, from simple malfunctioning to complete operational failure.
2. Enhances appliance longevity
Voltage stabilisers smooth out power from the electric grid by suppressing surges. In the absence of a stabiliser, your appliances are susceptible to sudden spikes and dips in the current supply. A voltage stabiliser will ensure your appliances work for years without any issues.
3. Ensures overall safety
When your expensive equipment is connected to stabilisers, there is a much lesser fire risk due to faulty wires and short circuits. In short, a stabiliser provides round-the-clock protection to electrical appliances, your home, and your family.
Some things are more a necessity than a luxury, and a voltage stabiliser is one of them. Now that you understand the importance of these devices, it is best to buy the appropriate stabilisers for the devices in your home. Nantech Power Systems, Chennai, provides a wide range of affordable voltage stabilisers for various appliances. Give us a call to find the right one for your requirements.
Have you ever considered the wiring and internal components when buying a voltage stabiliser to safeguard your home appliances? Likely not. Most of us overlook these important details.
In the case of a voltage stabiliser, the winding material is the most important component that plays a major role in how the device works. The winding material comes in two choices- Aluminium and Copper. Now comes the million-dollar question: "Which material is better- Aluminium or Copper?"
This blog analyses the differences and the functionalities of both materials to make it easier to pick the right choice. But first things first...
Most appliances in your home or office function with the solid support rendered by the voltage stabiliser. It is an appliance that keeps the flow of voltage-current stable and protects your devices from voltage fluctuations and erratic power supply.
Let's say there is a sudden, unexpected drop in the incoming voltage. Your stabiliser jumps into action, activating the electromagnetic relays. These relays, in turn, add extra electricity to the secondary winding and compensate for the voltage drop. Similarly, if there is a sudden increase in voltage, less electricity is relayed to the secondary winding to stabilise the output voltage.
So, essentially, the winding material is the "heart of the stabiliser," without which the device cannot work. Industry experts say that copper has the upper hand compared to aluminium, although manufacturers widely use both materials. What makes copper superior to aluminium? Why is it the preferred choice? Let's find the answers in the following discussion.
1. Thermal Connectivity
Copper has the upper hand in thermal conductivity, especially when it comes to reducing the hot-spot temperature rise in transformer windings. However, this superiority is achievable only when both windings are similar in size, geometry, and design.
It is also possible for aluminium to achieve the same thermal conductivity characteristics by making the aluminium coil 66% larger in its cross-sectional area. However, whatever the winding material, stabiliser manufacturers conduct several tests to produce acceptable hot-spot gradients. They:
2. Current distribution
Copper's higher metallurgical properties make it a better distributor of electricity when compared to aluminium. Copper winding enables an even, reliable, and stable current distribution than aluminium winding.
3. Terminations
One problem with aluminium stabilisers is the formation of oxide, which does not enable easy detachment from terminations. Here again, copper reigns supreme because they are soft and easily detachable. This makes copper stabilisers more durable than their aluminium counterparts.
4. Galvanic action
Galvanic action occurs between two electromagnetically different metals in contact to create a conductive path for ions and electrons to move from one metal to another. Galvanic actions sometimes result in complete loss or partial loosening of contacts. In this scenario, aluminium stabilisers lose more material through galvanic action than copper stabilisers.
5. Creep Level
Under extreme loads or high temperatures, aluminium stabilisers are more susceptible to failure than copper stabilisers because the creep rate of aluminium can reach 25 times.
6. Connectivity & Performance
Due to lower energy losses, copper stabilisers perform better and are more efficient than aluminium stabilisers. Moreover, copper is more conductive than aluminium due to oxides, chlorides, and sulfides. Aluminium connections are susceptible to corrosion, so it is more important to clean and protect their joints. Also, the connections between aluminium transformers and copper building wire are not very dependable.
7. Strength and flexibility
Without a doubt, aluminium is a strong and flexible metal. But here again, copper is far superior in both aspects. Therefore, stabilisers with copper winding require fewer inspections and maintenance procedures when compared to those with aluminium winding.
8. Manufacturing expenses
Although copper is expensive, copper stabilisers require less material and cross-sections of the conductor. Therefore, it costs less to manufacture copper stabilisers than an aluminium ones. Furthermore, copper stabilisers are more viable because they require:
These are some of the reasons why stabiliser manufacturers prefer copper over aluminium.
The winner is copper all the way! Aluminium is good, but copper is the best because it has:
Other reasons why copper is highly recommended:
An aluminium wound coil requires approximately 1.8 times as much cross-section to carry the same current as copper. More cross-section means more manufacturing costs.
Compared to copper, aluminium has a potential threat, which is its reaction with oxygen in the air, causing it to overheat and burst into flames.
Transformers with a higher copper content typically have higher energy performance and lower lifecycle costs.
We have stated enough reasons to justify why copper-wounded stabilisers are far better than aluminium-wounded stabilisers. However, in reality, aluminium stabilisers quickly gain acceptance because of the cost advantage.
Yes, copper is expensive, and that is one of the reasons why manufacturers prefer aluminium. However, awareness of copper stabilisers and their benefits will enable consumers to see beyond the price point and make the right choice.
Do you require expert advice about buying the right stabiliser for your electrical appliances? Call Nantech's team now. We are one of the most reputed inverter battery dealers and suppliers in Chennai.
Constant Voltage Transformer [CVT] is also known as Ferroresonant Transformer. It is a non-linear transformer which provides a regulated voltage output through an electromagnetic phenomenon called ferroresonance . The ferroresonant power supplies are widely used in applications which require constant output voltages especially when the input voltage is likely to vary due to instabilities and power line disturbances.
The CVT or the Constant Voltage Transformer was invented in the year 1930. It is one of the oldest inventions among stabilizers and the most efficient. Let us check out some other stabilizers:
Also Read: Benefits Of Using An Isolation Transformer
Switched Mode Power Supply [SMPS]-
The SMPS is an electronic power supply that connects a switching regulator to convert electrical power efficiently. The SMPS transfers power supply from a DC or AC source to DC loads, such as a personal computer, while converting voltage and current characteristics.
Automatic Voltage Transformer[AVT]-
The AVT is a stabilizer used for emergency power supply, oil rigs, generator sets and so on. It is an electronic power device used for variable voltage and this can be done without changing the power factor. If the voltage of the power supply is more than required, a step- down transformer is used and if the voltage is less a step-up transformer is used.
Electromechanical Regulator:
The electromechanical regulator is used for regulation of voltage on AC power distribution lines. These stabilizers are also called voltage stabilizers or tap-changers.To select the appropriate tap from an autotransformer these voltage stabilizer use servomechanism operation.
The uses of a stabilizer: A Voltage stabilizer is used to provide a constant current to electrical gadgets and also protects them from damages due to voltage fluctuations. Some of the main uses are:
The benefits of CVT over others:
Better voltage regulation: The fluctuation in input voltage is up to 40% the CVT will provide with a better voltage regulation of 1 to 4%.
Current limit: Control on current supply according to the need is the major advantage of CVT. The other stabilizer has a built-in control of constant current supply as against voltage.
Durable: The CVT does not have any movable part so it is easy to maintain and work for a longer duration than other transformers.
Can detect the slight voltage fluctuation and provide a constant voltage supply for the uninterrupted flow of work. Even if there is a small power block, the CVT is able to fill the gap.
The CVT is one of the best stabilizers in the industry. The reliability and simplicity of the CVT has made it a popular choice. It is a durable device and can be in constant use for a long time without any adverse effects. A CVT is a self-protecting device which protects both its supply and the load connected to it. So to conclude, the Constant Voltage Transformer is the perfect option for any sensitive electronic device which requires a constant power supply.
Power cuts and fluctuations are commonplace in India; these fluctuations can be detrimental to your electrical equipment. To protect them from these fluctuations and to get a voltage that is consistent and safe, a Servo stabilizer is needed. Many products have come up with ads that say their equipment have SMPS and hence there is no need for a stabilizer. These claims are far from the truth, read below to understand why there is a need for voltage stabilizers and how it can protect your appliances.
Some electrical equipment like the X-Ray machines, PH-meter, etc. gets affected when there is a high voltage whereas compressors, refrigerators, etc. get damaged due to low voltage. So it becomes mandatory to select servo voltage stabilizer in Chennai on load as well as voltages that can provide a constant voltage. Electricity boards are also unable to provide clean power as the load is enormous and the number of electrical appliances running at end user is too high. There are single or three phases of electricity in the range of 230V to 415V. The 3 phased connections are divided into three lines each with 230V, so the range of electrical appliance is 220 to 240V. When the voltage is higher or lower than this range, there has to be a correction as the SMPS within the device cannot handle this and hence the appliance can be damaged. When you install a stabilizer got from voltage stabilizer dealers, you can safeguard your electrical equipment.
Also Read: What Are Active Harmonic Filters And Its Application?
Many products are fake and sold in the market at a lower price. Avoid buying such stabilizers as you may end up damaging your expensive appliances. Buy from reputed servo stabilizer manufacturers in Chennai as the quality of the product is assured and you can also check the specifications. Before you buy, find out more about delivery and installation along with any warranty or guarantee. Also, the contact number of voltage stabilizer service center should be mentioned in case of any problem with the device.
Advantages of Servo Voltage Stabilizers:
Applications of Servo Voltage Stabilizers:
These stabilizers are not only for home use but can be useful in many places like hospitals, distilleries, manufacturing units, cold storage, food processing units, etc.
To summarize, Servo Voltage stabilizers obtained from the best servo stabilizer manufacturers in Chennai will ensure that the voltage fluctuations are kept in check. That will prevent any damage to your electrical appliances and safeguards them. You will not need any costly replacement or repair when you have voltage stabilizers installed.
Voltage fluctuations can be a real nuisance. Such fluctuations are extremely harmful to all your appliances and may result in frequent mishaps. The only way to do away with the damages caused by such rampant and unpredictable voltage fluctuations is to install voltage stabilizers for all your appliances, whether in homes, offices, laboratories or any other place.
What is a Voltage Stabilizer?
A voltage stabilizer, as the name suggests, is the equipment that stabilizes voltage; that is these save the appliances from sharp peaks and dips in the flow of electricity. Voltage stabilizers feed constant electricity to appliances. Therefore, appliances do not draw electricity from any electrical point but the stabilizer. Stabilizers make use of the principles of the transformer. In this the input current gets connected to primary windings and output is exited through secondary windings. In case of a drop in voltage, the electromagnetic relays help add additional numbers of turns in the secondary windings. Stabilizer fills in for the voltage output loss. The reverse applies for the sharp rise in incoming voltage. Therefore, in both such cases, the voltage stabilizer stabilizes the outgoing voltage and saves the appliances from anomalies.
Also Read: UPS Inverter In Chennai – Understanding The Variations
Voltage stabilizers are available across a wide range of prices, capacities, and quality, making you spoilt for choices. Here are a few tips highlighted by the men who matter – the Voltage Stabilizer Dealers!
There are several manufacturers of voltage stabilizers in every city of the country; ditto for Chennai. If you are looking for voltage stabilizer in Chennai, there would be a plethora of brands to choose from. Several good local brands are available in this genre that offers excellent value for money. Just in case you are settling for a local brand, it is all the more important to read the reviews so that you do not get cheated.
The voltage stabilizer saves the appliances from voltage fluctuations and auto-corrects the voltage at regular intervals. This helps in lengthening the shelf life of the appliances, but this is only the primary advantage with the voltage stabilizer. It comes with several other benefits; some of them are listed below:
Other than the stabilizers, people also prefer buying UPS. UPS stands for Uninterrupted Power Supply. UPS dealers in Chennai helps in times of sudden power shutdowns and is one of the most important constituents of any computer system. The UPS consists of a bank of batteries and is available in two types –
There are several companies that manufacture avant-garde UPS systems. The smaller UPS systems offer battery backup for few minutes while the larger ones offer the same for several hours.
A voltage stabilizer is an instrument designed to provide constant output voltage irrespective of the changes or fluctuations in the input, i.e., the supply voltage. Stabilizers are also referred to as Automatic Voltage Regulators (AVR). The voltage delivered by a stabilizer falls in the range of 220-230V for single phase mains and 380-400V for three-phase mains.
In Chennai, power cuts and voltage fluctuations are very common. Hence it would be foolishness to operate costly appliance without a voltage stabilizer in Chennai. Why is a stabilizer considered necessary? Let us have a look at the technical side.
Usually, all electrical appliances are designed for a wide range of input voltage. Based on the sensitivity of the components used in them, the working range of each appliance is limited to a certain value. For example, some appliances can work with in ± 10 percentage of the rated voltage while the tolerance range of some other appliances is ± 5 percent. But the fluctuation in voltage which happens due to faulty transformers, defective electrical lines, lightning, thunderstorm, etc. may go beyond the tolerance range so that it may damage the appliances.
Also Read: Voltage Stabilizer Manufacturers Providing The Best Solution For Power Fluctuations
Devices which work in over-voltage for a long time may experience the damage of winding insulation, load disturbance, reduced life, etc. It will also affect the connected cables and associated devices.
Similarly, under voltage would cause overheating of the devices, more current usage, poor performance and sometimes termination of its functioning as such.
Not taking any measures to deal with voltage fluctuation and operating costly electrical appliances in widely deviating voltage ranges would result in huge losses. Whereas, buying a good voltage stabilizer and connecting the appliances to it other than connecting to the mains directly would ensure safe operation and long life of your appliances.
Voltage stabilizers are available in different types. Initially, the stabilizers had to be operated manually. Later on, with the advancement in technology, automatic stabilizers came into existence. The presently available Servo voltage stabilizers in Chennai are usually fully automatic with a lot of attractive features. The following are the different types of stabilizers based on the scientific principles involved in their operation.
Relay type
Relay switching is the technique used in relay type stabilizers. They consist of rectifiers, amplifiers, micro-controllers, transformers, and a collection of relays. The accuracy of output voltage ranges between 5 and 10 percent of the desired value. Such stabilizers are generally cheap and are lightweight. They are preferred for those applications which do not require high precision output voltage.
Servo-controlled type
This type of stabilizer utilises a servo motor for voltage regulation. Other components are an autotransformer, a buck-boost transformer, a driver for the motor, micro-controllers or microprocessors involved control circuit, etc. Servo-controlled voltage stabilizers deliver output voltage which is highly accurate. Even very high deviations in input voltage get corrected to the most appropriate voltage required. This type of stabilizers can be used in both single phase and three phase mains. Routine maintenance is required for such stabilizers.
Static voltage type
Static voltage stabilizers consist of a circuit which acts a power electronic converter. They provide even better accurate results than servo controlled stabilizers. They also contain transformers, microprocessors, and controllers. Static voltage stabilizers can be made in very small sizes, and they require no maintenance as well. Hence this type of stabilizers is in more demand compared to the other ones.
What are the factors to consider before buying a stabilizer? Here are the most important ones.
Keep the points discussed here in your mind and choose the best voltage stabilizer which is perfect for your requirement!