Voltage Management

This is the official name for a technology that is very "sexy" just now and widely touted as having all singing all dancing ability to reduce your energy burden.  So I figure with that in mind it is appropriate that I look at it carefully and try to explain exactly what it is and does so that you can make an informed decision as to its value to your business.

Let's start with some of the names you may come across so you know what I am talking about - these are in no particular order by the way.

Efficient Energy  /  PowerPerfector  /  PowerStar  /  PowerSava  /  Voltis  /  PowerSave  -  I am sure there are more out there but you get the general idea of what to look for.

So, the basic premise is that most electrical equipment is manufactured to European standards, that is designed for 220V +/- 10% which means it should be able operate at 200V without complaining - however, your business is likely to be supplied with electricity at anything up to 240V - in fact I have myself clamped a supply at 253V (and yes I had a work permit and was suitably protected).  Forcing equipment to work at higher than rated voltage wastes energy, increases heat generation by motors and reduces life of systems.

So, Voltage Management can:

• reduce kWh consumption and hence carbon emissions and costs

• reduce maintenance

• reduce reactive power and hence improve power quality and power factor

• protect electrical equipment from transients and suppress harmonics

Is it suitable for your business?  Will you save electricity?

Voltage Management can achieve savings across all types of businesses from office buildings to manufacturing sites and engineering works to refrigeration stores, warehouses, data centres, call centres, leisure centres, galleries and farms.

What are the guarantees?

Never buy this type of technology unless it comes with a performance guarantee which can only come as a result of a site survey by a specialist contractor.  All of the major UK suppliers will provide plug-in voltage profiling equipment and in my experience regard a site survey as mandatory - so if you are not offered a survey look elsewhere.

What are the limitations?

Well, like all things in this life there are some situations in which Voltage Management is not worth investigating. 

High frequency lighting and most modern electronic equipment is insensitive to supply voltage (look at your notebook PC charger and see if it runs at 110-240V for example). Electric heating (including that used in catering) won't save anything because it is an inductive load, nor will VSD-controlled motors - and here's the rub equipment such as electric kettles will actually use MORE electricity not less because they heat up more slowly and therefore lose heat over a longer period while warming up.  So, not a cure-all but certainly worthy of investigation.  Speak to an expert.

Contact me to help you achieve your financial and carbon reduction targets through Voltage Power Optimisation.