How to choose a voltage stabilizer for an apartment

The content of the article

• How to choose the right
• What is it needed for
• Types of voltage stabilizers
• Electronic
• Electromechanical
• Ferroresonant
• Compensatory
• Single phase
• Three phase
• Power selection
• The choice of stabilizer for accuracy and range
• Selection tips
• Rating
• Where to buy and how much

It is difficult to imagine a modern apartment without a variety of household appliances and appliances that are designed to make life easier for people. Washing machines, microwave ovens, electric stoves – this and many other things can save time, simplify housekeeping. As a rule, such devices operate from the mains, in which interruptions, power surges are often observed, which can lead to breakdown, failure of the device. To prevent this situation, voltage stabilizers will help, the choice of which is very troublesome.

How to choose the right

Choosing a voltage stabilizer is not an easy task. It is important to take into account many points so that the device works correctly, performs its functions and does not cause significant damage to the family budget. Consultants in stores will help you choose the best option, but sometimes they tend to sell more expensive models or a particular brand, so it’s important to have at least minimal knowledge about the device: which ones are there, how they differ, which one is better. Having decided on a purchase, it is necessary to consider the following factors when choosing a stabilizer:

• Three phase or single phase. The choice according to this criterion depends on the availability of appliances operating on three phases in the apartment, or the house is connected to a single-phase electric network. If it is impossible to determine the connection scheme yourself, you should consult an electrician.
• Floor or wall (vertical and horizontal). The first option is relatively inexpensive, but has a clear drawback – it takes up a lot of space, the wires are constantly tangled underfoot. Wall-mounted ones are a bit more expensive, but they do not take up much space..

• Power. The choice of this criterion is influenced by the number of household appliances in the apartment and their total total power, which everyone can calculate independently. It is also important to consider the voltage in the electrical panel.
• Accuracy – the less errors in the stabilizer operation, the better, the optimal acceptable threshold is 2%.
• Type of stabilizer – there are several varieties: mechanical, electronic, compensation, ferroresonance.
• Manufacturing firm. Choosing a stabilizer (its brand), it is worth reading reviews about the brand, devices, it is better to give preference to European or Russian, abandoning Chinese-made devices, although their cost is slightly lower. Popular companies: Luxeon, Defender (Defender), Uniel, stationary IEK (IEK), Resanta.

• The material from which the body is made – preference should be given to metal models, they are more reliable and strong.
• Additional characteristics: ventilation, maximum permissible voltage range, control method, is it possible to independently set the settings, type of coil, is there a capacitor, matrix, microcontroller. It is important to learn about installation methods, what diameter wires are needed.
• Price is an important factor, which in some cases becomes crucial.

What is it needed for

Actual for many is the question: what is a regulator and what is it for. The voltage stabilizer is a device that connects to a common electrical network and provides a constant current of 220V. The need to use the device is due to power surges caused by repair work at the substation, frequent accidents on the line or other factors. Such differences lead to the fact that the bulbs can burn out, or to a short circuit, damage to the equipment that was plugged into the outlet, so it is necessary to provide protection against these problems.

Using a stabilizer normalizes the pressure fluctuation, if necessary, it will fall or rise, so that the voltage required for consumption is obtained at the output. In addition, it will stop supplying current from the shield if voltage fluctuations go beyond the adjustable range and congestion is observed. What this technique looks like, look at the photo:

Types of voltage stabilizers

Distinguish these types of devices:

• Electromechanical.
• Electronic.
• Electromagnetic (designed to normalize AC), magnetic.
• Compensatory.
• Ferroresonant.

Electronic

Electronic is a common type of stabilizer. It serves to maintain the output current of a specific force with maximum accuracy by adjusting a wide range of input voltage. Principle of operation: automatic switching of transformer sections due to power switches – thyristors, triacs, relays (relay type – you need to open the electric current circuit using a relay). This type has its drawbacks and advantages:

• Advantages: silent, equipped with a microprocessor, maximum efficiency, wide input voltage range, long service life, low weight and dimensions, which facilitates installation of the device.
• The disadvantages include step-by-step voltage regulation, which is limited by an accuracy of 0.9-7%.

Electromechanical

Electromechanical devices to normalize the voltage regulate the flow force using a special slider, which is controlled by an electric motor that moves the collector brushes along the circuit and alternately switches the turns of the secondary winding of the transformer. Pros and cons of such a device:

• Advantages: wide range of regulation; output voltage accuracy – 220 Volts; adjustment is smooth; overload disconnection.
• Disadvantages: fragility of service; loud noise during operation; large dimensions and large mass, which complicates the installation; cannot withstand excessive loads; fire hazard.

Ferroresonant

Ferroresonant stabilizers – equipment to normalize the voltage, which is used less and less every year. This is due to an outdated mechanism of work (the use of three rods with the distribution of magnetic fluxes) and the presence of a large number of disadvantages. The advantages of this type of device include control accuracy, a relatively fast response rate. The disadvantages of the device:

• Narrow input voltage range.
• Large dimensions and weight.
• Excessive noise during operation.
• May transmit interference.
• Withstands minimal loads.

Compensatory

Compensation devices with transistors for normalizing the mains voltage are divided into two types: pulse (for example, when using arc welding) and continuous operation; two types – parallel and serial. Such stabilizers have obvious advantages: a high percentage of efficiency, accuracy, stabilization coefficient. Watch the video to find out how the compensation stabilizer works:

Single phase

In most apartments, a voltage of 220 volts per phase is used, so it is recommended to use single-phase stabilizers. This is an automatic device that regulates and maintains a constant voltage within the required limits. Errors in work 1-7%. The choice is influenced by the load power that the device is able to withstand and which can be connected to it, it can be in the range from 150 watts to 30 kilowatts.

Three phase

Three-phase stabilizers are expensive, so if there is a need for such a local device, it is better to use a block of 3 single-phase ones. They can be used in two cases:

• The presence of a three-phase consumer in the apartment (compressors, pumps, boilers can be attributed to such powerful devices, but they are used in most cases in houses or cottages, and in multi-storey buildings it is rarely necessary to install this type of device).
• The apartment is connected to the electric network, a cycle in three phases.

Power selection

In order to choose a powerful stabilizer (the indicator is measured in volt-amperes), which would meet the requirements, it is necessary to determine how many devices are connected to the network at the same time. It is important to understand that not all devices are immediately connected to the network. Add the power consumed by all devices and add 20% for the reserve – the result is this, the force that the stabilizer must have in order to perform a lowering, stabilizing function. To determine the maximum allowable power, you need to look at the rating on the input machine.

The choice of stabilizer for accuracy and range

Accuracy and range are two interdependent characteristics that affect the choice of device for an apartment. The stabilizer range includes two categories:

• Working – the input voltage is within the limits according to which the output will have the necessary supply power – 220V.
• Limit – at the input, the voltage deviates from the norm by 14-18%. In this case, the stabilizer turns off all working household appliances in the apartment, and itself remains on, working offline to monitor when the indicators stabilize.

The accuracy of the stabilizer is the maximum deviation point of the output voltage from the set indicator, this characteristic is affected by the range of the device. The better this indicator, the higher the cost of the device, due to the mechanism of its work, the complexity of the schemes. Good accuracy – 2%, in low-cost models variations from 2 to 7 percent are possible.

Selection tips

Often the choice of a stabilizer for an apartment is difficult, therefore, in order not to make a mistake when buying, you need to seek help from a specialist who will become a guide when choosing a technique. After analyzing the data provided (what equipment is used in the house, their capacity, how often power outages occur), it will help you choose the best option. Check out the video for tips and tricks to help you make the right choice:

Rating

How to choose a voltage stabilizer for an apartment among popular models. Look at their rating, device names below:

• Digital stabilizer Voltron RSN-10000h.
• Triac Luxeon 1000.
• Relay 220v iek.
• Uniel rs 1 10000w.
• Energy Classic 7500.
• Thyristor Energy Ultra 7500.
• RDR RD10000 rider.
• UPower ASN-10000.
• Energy SNVT-10000/1 Hybrid.
• Energy Classic 9000.
• UPower ASN-8000.

Where to buy and how much

The sale of voltage stabilizers in Moscow is carried out in specialized stores, departments for the sale of large household appliances, power tools, batteries, batteries, frequency converters, uninterruptible power supplies. It is possible to order through the online store, so save a little family budget. It is possible to buy a device and choose the right one in the capital of the Russian Federation at the following points of sale:

1. “Star Tool”. St. Bratislavskaya, 22. Prices for stabilizers from 6 thousand rubles (depending on type and power), for example, Resant’s single-phase stabilizers are in the range of 10 000-45 000 rubles.
2. “Leroymerlin.” Ryazan Avenue 2/3. Price 1,500-8,000 rubles.
3. “Toolcity”. Tyumen passage 3/2. The cost of 3,000-140,000 rubles.
4. “Ruselt Group”. Volokolamsk highway, 89. The price of 3000-200 000 rubles.
5. “Voltar”. St. 5th Trunk, 8. When purchasing a voltage stabilizer at this point of sale, you need to bring at least 5000-2000 rubles.

Online Stores:

1. “Polygon” – poligonspb.ru. Adequate cost, for example, 220V Resanta price – 2,500 rubles.
2. “Volt Market” – voltmarket.ru. Prices 1000-100000 rubles.
3. “Technosila” – tehnosila.ru. Cost from 2000 to 4000 rubles.
4. “Norma M” – norma-stab.ru. Price limits 5000-35000 rub.
5. “MSK-stabilizator” – msk-stabilizator.ru. It is possible to purchase a voltage stabilizer for 3000-65000 rubles.