FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
You may be asking yourself why is there so much hype about voltage optimization, and if you are you’ll find that you are not alone.
To clarify some of your querries, we have aggregated some of the more prevalant questions being asked about the technology, our products, the savings, installation and more. Click on the pages below and review the frequently asked questions.
Should you have a question that is not on the list, please let us know.
(1) What is voltage optimisation (VO)?
Voltage optimization is a well established and proven technology that matches electricity supply to the needs of your electrical equipment. Since electricity is supplied is on average at 242 Volts (in the UK), and electrical equipment manufacturers make products to work most efficiently with an incoming supply of between 210 Volts and 220 Volts; this over-supply of electricity dissipates as heat and vibration within appliances, which can substantially reduce their lifespan. The ComEC voltage optimization system is installed between the energy supplier’s mains feed and the Main electric panel (fuse board). ComEC reduces your electricity consumption and therefore your bills (reducing electricity bills by up to 18%), cuts carbon emissions and helps prolong the life of appliances.
For further details, please see our Voltage Optimisation page.
(2) What is difference between voltage optimisation (VO), voltage stabilisation (VS) and voltage regulation?
Optimizing the voltage into a site does provide energy and therefore cost savings, however stabilizing the voltage protects against the instability of the national grid, which is prone to high levels of voltage volatility. PowerSines installs energy efficiency systems using RIGHTvoltage technology that not only optimizes voltage output but also stabilizes and regulates the power levels. These units hold the voltage at a stable, optimum level which future proofs equipment against any grid instability.
(3) Can I tap down my supply transformer to achieve the same results as with a VO system?
By tapping down the supply transformer only a fraction of the energy savings are achieved in comparison to the electric savings achieved with PowerSines ComEC universal energy controllers. This is due to the inefficiency and design purpose of the supply transformer. In addition, tapping down the supply transformer does not provide the power quality or protection benefits of PowerSines voltage optimization and stabilization systems.
(4) What is the difference between a transformer and a stabiliser?
A transformer reduces the voltage by a fixed percentage. A stabiliser reduces the voltage to a fixed (preset) value. This has numerous advantages - the reduction in voltage (and therefore saving in power) can be greater, and the equipment receiving the stabilized voltage ensures a more consistent performance and longer life.
(5) How does reducing the voltage save power?
Generally, the Utilities' supply voltage 10% more or less than is necessary for equipment to function efficiently. For many types of electrical equipment if the voltage is reduced the current drops. Power consumption is the product of voltage and current, so as voltage is reduced the power falls.
(6) What is the voltage range equipment can accept?
All electrical equipment sold in the EC needs to be capable of working with a supply voltage anywhere between 207 and 253V (230V ± 10%). Operating at a fixed, reduced, voltage of 220V (or even 210V for maximum saving) is therefore realistic with a PowerSines voltage optimization systems.
(7) Where can I expect to see the best savings from voltage optimisation?
Voltage optimisation works best on inductive loads – motors and lighting for example – and significant savings can be achieved on motors in particular, especially if these are not loaded at 100% of the their capacity for 100% of the time.
(8) What types of load are better suited for energy savings by voltage reduction?
Most loads benefit from voltage reduction as the un-reduced voltage is higher than the optimum design voltage of the equipment. As an example resistive loads and fluorescent lighting generally show the highest savings.
For the savings available on different loads using ComEC, click here.
(9) Are there any appliances that do not benefit from installing a voltage optimization unit?
Every type of electrical appliance works differently and due to the nature of certain appliances they will not all show a savings benefit.
Some appliances that work on a thermostat, i.e. a kettle, will work better with a higher voltage, however they are still using voltage that is higher than the manufacturers ideal. In reality if you install a voltage optimization unit all that will happen is that the kettle will still use the same amount of electricity to boil, it will just take 10 seconds or so longer to boil than before. The benefit on such appliances is in their life, not necessarily in electric savings.
(10) If I install a voltage reducer, what happens if the mains voltage drops?
Unstable Mains voltage (voltage drops) are likely to be more prevalent as supply capacity decreases. If the voltage reducer is a transformer, it will continue to reduce the now reduced incoming voltage, which can drop below the safe operating voltage for the equipment being supplied. On the contrary, a stabilizer will automatically compensate by decreasing the degree of voltage reduction, preserving correct equipment operation.
(11) Is voltage optimisation suitable for new buildings?
Yes, the ComEC voltage optimization system is able to deliver energy savings in new buildings, refurbishments or existing sites.
(12) How will I know if voltage optimization is suitable for me?
The average electrical supply in the UK is 242 volts, however there will be some sites that have a lower incoming supply. If your existing incoming supply is less than 230 volts then the savings to be had by installing a voltage optimisation unit would be lower than a site that has an incoming supply of 242 volts.
(13) Why is voltage optimisation a worthwhile investment?
Energy prices look certain to rise and many people are concerned both about this and their carbon footprint. Installing a PowerSines voltage optimization system at your site will reduce usage and energy bills without requiring any other changes to your electric circuit or infrastructure.
1 What does ComEC do?
The ComEC unit is a voltage optimization device designed for use in small to medium businesses and residential homes. ComEC optimizes, stabilizes and regulates the incoming voltage giving you immediate and significant energy savings for the whole facility.
For further details, please see our Voltage Optimisation page.
2 How does ComEC voltage optimization work?
PowerSines ComEC system is based on patented RIGHTvoltage technology. Through the connections with the Remote EMS, ComEC consistently monitors your incoming voltage. It adjusts itself to maximize the potential savings and adjusts your incoming voltage down to a lower level, which is better for the requirements of your equipment. ComEC ensures that your electrical equipment does not receive over or under voltage, and thereby increases its life. Bottom line, less power means savings on your electricity bill and a reduction of your carbon footprint.
For further details, please see our Voltage Optimisation page.
3 Is ComEC a new technology?
ComEC is based on the RIGHTvoltage technology, which was patented by PowerSines. PowerSines is a pioneer in developing energy efficiency solutions since 1980. And voltage optimization, although a new term in the market, is already a very well established method of quickly and providing energy savings in the industrial and commercial sectors.
For further details, please see our RIGHTvoltage technology page.
4 How do you determine if the ComEC is suitable for my site?
PowerSines range of voltage optimization devices is expansive (3x80A - 3x140A). The ComEC VO units are designed to meet the needs of each site. During the pre-installation site sudit, all aspects are considered when matching a ComEC device to a customer site, including: the voltage power optimization required, cabinet size, types of loads and applications as well as the type (IP rating) to suit the installation.
Contact us to schedule a site audit.
5 Is the ComEC sized to each site?
There is a standard range of ComEC sizes, which allows the ComEC to be sized to either the existing main switch size or the maximum demand of the site.
For further details, please see our ComEC Product page.
6 What if voltage levels need to be adjusted after the ComEC installation?
With the Remote EMS connected to PowerSines units, adjusting the paramaters can be completed online and in real time through a secure web interface.
7 How much energy will ComEC save?
Savings with ComEC voltage optimization range from 8%-18% depending on the applications at the site. When conducting the pre-installation site audit a proposal stating the expected savings and payback period is provided, guaranteeing your investment is worthwhile.
The savings available from installing a voltage optimization unit vary from appliance to appliance, for example appliances with pumps and motors can save the most with an 'A rated' freezer saving 17%, fridge 16% and a central heating pump between 15% and 18%. Large savings can also be made on lighting with low voltage spot lights and incandescent bulbs saving 15% and CFL lighting of 11%. Voltage optimization is one of the UK’s most effective energy saving solutions and can save up to 18% on your energy bill every year by reducing the over-supply of electricity to your facility.
For further details, please see our ComEC Product page.
8 Has ComEC been field trialled?
Yes, ComEC has been independently trialled and verified.
9 Will I have to change my fuse board?
No, all of PowerSines’ energy controllers are installed before the main circuit board and do not require any changes to be made to your electric infrastructure of wiring. The installation is carried out simply, in a matter of hours, with minimal disturbance to your business operation.
10 How does ComEC work with inductive and resistive loads?
We offer a several types of energy efficiency solutions for a diverse range of applications.
11 Is the ComEC solution the only product PowerSines has?
We offer a several types of energy efficiency solutions for a diverse range of applications. SmartLEC - Lighting Energy Controllers, ComEC - Universal Energy Controllers, SinuMEC - Sinusoidal Motor Efficiency Controllers, Remote EMS - Remote Energy Managaement System
For further details, please see the Products section.
FACT:
The higher the voltage the higher the energy consumption.
Higher voltage tends to increase the heat generation in motors which inturn reduces the life expectancy of electrical equipment, increases your carbon emissions, and wastes money.
FACT:
Utilities have increased the supplied voltage to an average of 242V to meed the rapidly rising demand for electricity and growing number of electric appliances.
As a result, electric equipment and appliances are often operated in overvoltage conditions causing wasted energy, losses, electric stress and shortened equipment lifetime.
FACT:
Most European electrical equipment is designed to run at the 220V nominal.
Electrical equipment designed to operate at an 220V is not operating at its best.
FACT:
With PowerSines ComEC voltage optimization systems you can start saving up to 18% on your electric costs, reduce your carbon emissions and improve your equipments life.
