The demand for high-quality voltage stabilizers is growing every year, which is explained by the increased number of domestic consumers, as well as a decrease in the quality of the network product. The domestic market offers a large selection of inexpensive and reliable models of stabilizing units that guarantee the consumer normal power supply. Before you get ready to buy a product in a store, it is advisable to understand the features of these devices, as well as familiarize yourself with how to choose them correctly.
Purpose of voltage stabilizers
The main purpose of the units is to provide the consumer with stabilized voltage, which allows them to be used to operate household appliances in the house. These devices are necessary to improve the quality of electricity supplied to the consumer, which in recent years has deteriorated significantly.
This applies not only to the amplitude of the voltage transmitted through the network, but also to its shape, as well as the magnitude of non-linear distortions (deviations from the sinusoid).
All of these characteristics can be corrected by converting low-quality voltage and then bringing it back to normal.
For this, the device includes mechanical, electromechanical or electronic components responsible for adjusting the sinusoid at the output. For home conditions and for the office, the voltage regulator 220 V, designed for single-phase power supply, is optimally suited. With this conversion device you don’t have to worry about the safety of the radio equipment and other household appliances connected to it.
Types of stabilizers
According to the type of supply network, into which modern network voltage stabilizers are installed for the home, all of them are divided into units designed to operate in 3-phase circuits and their single-phase analogues. In addition, the known types of stabilizing devices differ in power output and design, which directly affect the prices announced by manufacturers.
Regardless of all the parameters listed, the classification principle of these units is based on the principle of operation or a typical circuit that allows you to obtain the desired output voltage. According to this feature, the stabilizer models offered by the market are divided into the following main types:
- relay units;
- ferroresonant (parametric) devices;
- electromechanical models;
- semiconductor (thyristor or triac) products;
- inverter or electronic stabilizers.
Each of the listed devices has its own distinctive features associated with the principle of converting the input voltage and the connection circuit used for this. They differ in their appearance (design) and the price declared by the manufacturer of a particular device.
Relay
Classical relay voltage stabilizers belong to the category of electronic devices operating on the principle of stepwise conversion of the input potential. Their design is based on an autotransformer, the output windings of which are switched in such a way as to correct fluctuations in the network.
The change in the number of turns in the secondary winding occurs automatically due to the operation of the built-in switching devices - electromagnetic relays.
For the switching order of relay elements, a special unit is responsible, which experts call the manager.With its help, it is possible to control the parameters of the mains voltage and, when deviations from the norm are detected, put into operation the next stage of stabilization (corresponding to the number of electric relay).
The main advantage of relay devices, when compared with already outdated models of compensation type, is the high speed of the steps (about 10-20 ms). In addition, such control modules are quite simple, which greatly facilitates the maintenance and repair of the finished product.
The disadvantages of relay machines include insufficiently smooth adjustment of the output potential and low working life. Many users are annoyed that during operation this unit constantly clicks (due to switching relays). The main field of application is low-power equipment connected to networks with a low rate of instability of the input power.
Ferroresonant
This type of stabilizers refers to samples that appeared at the initial stage of the formation of converting devices. The beginning of their mass introduction into everyday life in the 50-60s of the last century was explained by the need to protect then-fashionable tube TVs. The principle of their operation is based on the use of the effect of ferromagnetic resonance, the essence of which is the electromagnetic interaction of two chokes (coils with cores). It is particularly important that one of them works in saturated mode, and the other in unsaturated mode.
The advantages of ferroresonant stabilizers include the absence of mobile (switchable) catch, and as a result, there is a low probability of failure and a longer working resource than relay devices. In addition, with their help it is possible to achieve a more accurate installation of the output voltage and smooth adjustment. Their disadvantages are expressed in the following:
- noise at work;
- significant heat dissipation;
- bulkiness (large dimensions);
- small range of adjustable voltages.
Despite these shortcomings, ferroresonant stabilizers are still very popular among consumers. The scope of their application is the protection of old household appliances unpretentious in handling.
Electromechanical
Devices of this class appeared on the market of electrical products at about the same time as ferroresonant analogs, although they differed significantly in design and operating principle from them. Their main working unit is an autotransformer with a movable collector contact located on it.
The adjusting element is made in the form of a slider or a removable brush of a special design. During operation of the device, it moves along the transformer winding, gradually increasing or decreasing the conversion coefficient, which allows you to effectively adjust the input voltage.
The first samples of electromechanical devices had manual adjustment - the movement of the slider on the windings of the autotransformer was entrusted to a person. In modern models, this process is automated through the use of a special control module.
Their advantages and disadvantages are the same as those of ferroresonance samples, and their field of application is devices that do not require high speed.
Inverter (stepless, transformerless, IGBT, PWM)
This type of regulator belongs to the family of modern stabilizers of high technology manufactured since the beginning of the century. The operation of the devices is based on the principle of double conversion of the initial voltage, due to which it is possible to generate a signal of the desired shape and amplitude at the output. Since there are no mechanical and electromechanical units in modern pulse aggregates, they work completely silently, have high speed, and are not inferior in reliability to any of the known samples.
The advantages of these devices also include:
- extended boundaries for smooth adjustment of mains voltage and current in the load (90-310 Volts);
- the presence of filter modules at the input and output of the device, suppressing network interference;
- compactness and light weight.
The only drawback of typical inverter converters is their high cost.
Electronic (triac, thyristor)
The device and principle of operation of electronic units is somewhat similar to relay-type devices. But instead of relays, semiconductor switches are used here, built on the basis of valve elements (thyristors or triacs).
On sale there are also varieties of units in which the function of switching keys is performed by semiconductor transistors.
Due to the use of electronic components, these devices operate absolutely silently.
Other advantages of inverter circuits and devices include:
- high speed and lack of mechanical components;
- durability and reliability of their constituent semiconductor parts;
- wide limits of voltage regulation;
- temperature stability and high efficiency, which is explained by the efficiency of the elements included in the circuit (including field-effect transistors that practically do not consume current).
Their disadvantage is the same as that of relay analogs - this is due to the discrete nature of the output voltage control.
Selection rules
Before deciding on the choice of a stabilizer according to the type of power supply, it is important to determine which networks it is supposed to operate in. If you plan to use it in an apartment in a city house, the owner will need a standard single-phase device. If the buyer intends to use it in the country, where there is a power supply of 380 Volts, only a three-phase sample is suitable.
Before going to the store, it is important to familiarize yourself with the manufacturers of these devices and choose a company that enjoys a good reputation. In this case, it does not matter whether it is a domestic company or a foreign one, since our manufacturers are also able to make competitive models.
Model Overview
An overview of modern stabilizers for the home is easiest to carry out, focusing on the advantages and disadvantages of several branded designs. To do this, we selected models representing such competing firms as Resanta, Energy, the domestic development of Calm, as well as a brand called Sven.
The rating of stabilizers for the home is led by a model from the manufacturer Resanta, which manufactures products with excellent value for money. The devices of this company are able to work with loads of various sizes (power from tens to hundreds of watts). The Resanta assortment contains many single-phase relay-type models, but samples with double voltage conversion (inverters) are often found. This brand has practically no drawbacks (except for the price).
The second position in the ranking is occupied by Energia, a diversified company that has only recently mastered the production of high-quality stabilizers. All models of this manufacturer are distinguished by a verified ratio of quality and price and are in constant demand among Russian consumers. Their advantages also include a wide selection of different designs.
Next is the company "Calm", producing low-cost products and models of the middle price category, as well as premium samples. Especially popular are electronic inverters, not inferior in their capabilities to modern uninterruptible power supplies.
The last in this list is the Finnish company Sven, whose products are suitable for both home and work office. Prices for products from Finland are quite affordable for the average user with consistently high quality. According to the manufacturer, the service life of all produced models is at least 10 years on average.
Voltage stabilizers for cottages
At the dachas, special models of stabilizers are traditionally in demand, which can be connected directly to the input shield through a separate machine. They are distinguished by a relatively high conversion power, since they are used to work with specific cottage equipment (pumps, irrigation systems, etc.). You can connect these devices to the stabilizer by means of a special distribution block or through the socket provided in some models.
At the cottage, the presence of grounding is mandatory, through which it is possible to secure work with garden equipment.
In the open air, not only the metal parts of the used units are reliably grounded, but also the body of the stabilizer itself, installed in a linear circuit.
When choosing a stabilizing device designed for home or summer cottage, proceed from the calculation of the permissible power in the serviced load. Therefore, when evaluating various models for this parameter, he is selected with a small margin (about 10-15 percent).
