Question by : Is power savers for electricity worth trying?
For the past 1-1.5 years our electricity bills have increased by leaps and bounds. We used to pay around Rs.300-500.Now our bills come in the range of 900-1500. This month we have already consumed 310 units on the meter with 10 more days to go before reading will b taken for the month.The problem is the MSEB in Kalyan do not give any response.
In this case we r consuming more than 15 units per day which is impossible unless u r running all appliances at the same time for whole day or running a company from home.
So i have come across a power saving device which has the potential to save around 25-40% of the power by reducing spikes in the current. This device will b installed near the fuse box at home.
All i want to know is whether this is legal to use & does this device actually work??
Best answer:
Answer by Patrick
I have no idea what you wrote because we have different measures of electrical usage, however, it sounds like if you have an impossibility in your electric usage… Call your electricity provider to check or replace your electricity meter. Even the newer digital LCD screen reading meters will mess up.
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Understanding how they work is important. In the U.S. alternating current reaches 120 volts positive. then switches to 120 volts negative. It does this 60 times per second. But, it doesn’t instantaniously go from plus 120 to negative 120. If you measure the voltage at just the right time it will be zero, ever so breifly. The way it does this is called a sine wave. The power companies closely regulate anything that might disrupt this sine wave patern. For single phase residential it is not that important. But, for 3 phase connections like factories if someone on the line disrupts the sine wave pattern it can dramaticaly affect 3 phase motors at factories. So, before you install any equipment your power provider should be contacted. The device you are talking about mellows out the peaks. It is not new technology. Called a rectifier. Most motors have rectifiers built into them. So, as long as the rectifiers in your vacuum cleaner, refrigerator motor, dishwasher etc.. is working properly you won’t see any savings in electricity. But, if you have a refrigerator that is 20 years old. Your vacuum cleaner was given to you by your deceised grandmother that she received as a wedding gift. Well, you get the idea. If your appliances with motors are old this device will save you money. But, they will never save you money on anything that does not require a rectifier to run right. Like lights, electric oven, electric water heater, television, computer. Try shutting everything off in the house and looking at your meter. If it is still racking up useage then there is either a ground fault somewhere or your neighbor has tapped into your line. Then, turn on thing on at a time to see if there is anything that is drawing too much.
I am writing this from Seattle, Washington, USA. I am not familiar with the particulars of electrical power in Kalyan or its purity. I also am not familiar with consumers’ rights in Kalyan when it comes to utility companies. In Washington, we have a consumer protection agency called the Public Utilities Commission. Do you have a similar agency in Kalyan?
The reason I am asking these questions is because I’m beginning to question two things.
First, is your energy consumption (as measured by your power meter) actually increasing, or are they just increasing the rate per kilowatt hour? If your meter shows increased usage but your consumption habits (and the weather) have been consistent, I would question (loudly) the accuracy of the power meter to any consumer protection agency in Kalyan with authority in this matter.
Second, the device you are talking about, we call a surge suppressor. It clips the spikes on power lines to prevent damage or disruption to sensitive, electronic equipment. In order for a device like this to save you money, your power would have to be “filthy”, that is, full of high voltage noise spikes. Whether it is legal or not in your country, I don’t know. You will have to check this out.
Frankly, your power meter is the prime suspect. I would insist that the accuracy of your meter be verified to your satisfaction before you purchase a surge suppressor.
Your correct in that it is unusually high and if has come on steady there are a few thing you can do to eliminate possibilities. Turn off all of your breakers/fusses/or panel switches and check the meter. Is it still registering, or counting units? If so there is a “slow burn” short going on somewhere…..and my experience says it is in the back of your panel between the buses and the enclosure. Try smelling you might smell a plastic type or even hear a ticking from the back all indicators. This test will eliminate all of the branch circuits and narrow it to your bigger wires or feeders. If the meter goes silent turn on one breaker or circuit at a time then turn it off, then the next one until you have went through one at a time every circuit each time you turn a circuit on go check the meter for a abnormal spin or register it will tell you where to look for that trouble. I have seen this in most of these cases weather its here in the Napa Valley or where you call home. When you find the circuit un plug everything on it. and re-energize see if it is still there. Good Luck and my work e-mail is available through my information feel free to ask anything.