Overvoltage in a household network is a common phenomenon. The reason may be the actions of the energy company, breakdowns, overloads, other force majeure circumstances. For many technical devices in the room and apartment, even minor jumps are fatal. To minimize the consequences, you need to know how to secure housing and what to do after: where to go with a complaint, for compensation, and more.
Definition of the term
A power surge is a short-term significant power drop that goes beyond the safety standards. In Russia, horse racing is considered acceptable within +/- 10% of the nominal for 7 days. For example, for a standard outlet in 220V during the week, normal indicators are from 198 to 242. There are three types:
- longer than a minute - a long deviation from the norm;
- less than a minute - short-term fluctuations;
- surge overvoltage (electricians call "surge").
Equipment and wiring can “burn” regardless of the reasons and type of energy jump. After the “surge”, the quality of the voltage obtained is significantly degraded. If the voltage in the house jumps constantly, you need to look for the cause, install protection, stabilizers, limiters.
The main causes of power surges
Various events can lead to a sharp change in the voltage level - from technical issues to weather conditions. In many cases, it makes no sense to look for the “guilty”, but some directly depend on the work of the company providing the building with electricity.
Thunderstorms
In earlier times, during rain and thunderstorms, all equipment was disconnected from the power supply, sockets were removed from the network. The household equipment did not have protection sensors, so the actions were appropriate. Today, most devices have safety modules that protect against power surges and sudden changes.
However, turn off the computer, TV electricians recommend. When thunderclouds occur, a lightning discharge reaches billions of volts. Modern protection systems reduce the risk of a direct blow to the wiring, but do not completely exclude it. More often cables run in sleeping areas. Such lines are laid as you like, sometimes in violation of the rules. Routers, switches, a computer with a hard drive and a monitor, and other network equipment can break.
Atmospheric overvoltage
A situation similar to a thunderstorm - a difference in voltage accumulates in the atmosphere, a lightning discharge occurs. If the shock gets directly into the electrical installation or in the immediate vicinity of it, a sharp voltage surge will occur in the networks. Low-power plants burn first of all.
Distinguish between inductance (next to the block) and direct throw. In the second case, in addition to the power surge, mechanical breakdowns occur - racks, supports of overhead lines are split. For household appliances and appliances there is a danger in every case.
Causes of anthropogenic nature
Most often, the causes of sudden changes are technical problems and the human factor. At home and at work, they do not always monitor the maximum load of the network and simultaneously connect a lot of devices, which causes a jump in electricity. Unprotected devices will burn out. Other similar situations include:
- Transformer substation transshipment - most of the projects were formed more than 30 years ago and were not designed for the current amount of electricity consumed.
- Accidents on power lines and cable networks - arise due to the general condition of wires, equipment and bad weather conditions.
- Malfunction or poor contact with the neutral wire.
- Problems on the internal part of the wiring (violations during installation, poor-quality or faulty equipment).
- Staying near large industrial and other facilities (shopping centers, workshops and the like) with a large consumption of electricity - when the equipment is turned on and off, a sharp voltage drop occurs on neighboring networks, including.
The causes of power surges are mass. If the house or building is in a risk zone, care should be taken in advance for additional protection of electrical equipment.
Possible consequences
A voltage surge means a short-term sudden change in the level of electricity in the network. For household networks of 220 volts, the permissible limits are boundaries from 198 to 242 volts (within 10% of the nominal value). First of all, electrical appliances with minimal or no protection “suffer” from fluctuations.
The most dangerous are drops from thunderstorms and lightning falling into electrical installations. The difference in such cases can be up to several kilovolts. With a heavy load, relays and other devices do not have time to work.
A break in the zero (contact) causes the combustion of household appliances in most cases. The voltage level reaches 380 volts (more often - 300-320). This amount is enough to disable equipment.
Protection methods
It is impossible to completely exclude the possibility of differences. If voltage surges in the mains are constant, there are several options to protect expensive household appliances. It can be used for most known types of devices.
Voltage monitoring relay
The device helps to solve the problem of sudden surges in energy in the network. When deviating from the set values, the device turns off the equipment. After the voltage supply returns to the set norm, the relay starts supplying electricity again.
This method helps out only in some situations - a break of zero contact, a cable of urban transport (tram, trolleybus) getting on the power lines. If lightning strikes and during periods of atmospheric overvoltage, the device is almost useless.
You can install it yourself by following the step-by-step instructions.
Uninterruptible power supplies
These devices are not protective, however, together with those, they help to avoid burnout of devices, but do not remain in complete isolation until normal voltage levels are restored. Providing electricity to the whole house or apartment is impractical and economically inefficient. It is enough to connect a separate section of wires (for example, for lighting).
The choice of uninterruptible power supplies is affected by the total number of devices in the room and the required amount of energy. Devices are divided by the maximum amount (value) of current.
Surge Protectors
If the voltage jumps in the apartment (surges, jumps, similar), it is recommended to use special stabilizers. The maximum effect is given when the input voltage “subsides”. They help with weak jumps in the network, but they can’t cope with strong impulses (for example, lightning strikes). Electricians recommend using in tandem with relays.
Lightning surge protection
Atmospheric overvoltage and lightning are the cause of burnout of household appliances. Unpleasant consequences can be avoided by installing special input voltage limiters.It is especially important to use devices in private homes. Without protection from thunderstorms during bad weather conditions, it is necessary to disconnect all home devices from the network (pull out from the outlet), turn off the light.
These devices protect only in case of high voltage surges. In case of small power outages, they are useless.
Where to complain and how to compensate for damage
Initially, a complaint and a claim for damages are submitted to the company with which the contract is concluded. In this case, it is necessary to describe in detail what happened and why this company is considered to be guilty. Issues related to collective appeals are more quickly resolved than to individual ones. Therefore, in apartment buildings, it makes sense to cooperate with neighbors and submit one requirement. The necessary contacts - addresses, phone numbers, details - are indicated in the contract (often found in receipts for payment).
Immediately after the incident, it is necessary to call electricians to fix the fact of damage and draw up the corresponding act. Take burnt devices for examination - you should get a written confirmation of the cause of the failure of the devices. A copy of the act and the expert’s opinion shall be attached to the written claim to the energy company. In the event management refuses to recover damages, consumers can file a lawsuit with the court. You can draw up a competent lawsuit yourself on the basis of samples on the court website or with the help of a lawyer.
If voltage fluctuations constantly occur in the apartment, you should carefully study the area of residence, examine the laid cables, and get the necessary protective devices. It is impossible to completely exclude power surges in the power network, but you can prepare.
