What Is Voltage Optimisation?
Voltage optimisation is an energy efficiency measure that reduces electricity use and power demand.
Typically a voltage optimisation device is installed at the main electrical supply to a building – thereby allowing all equipment and lighting to benefit from the optimisation of voltage.
The device optimises the actual supply voltage you receive (207V – 253V) and the optimum voltage your electrical equipment needs (220V) – hence giving an optimum supply of voltage to a building.
Essentially, the voltage optimisation device is a transformer that delivers voltage at a different voltage than the supply.
Higher voltage has higher power consumption.
Here’s how voltage optimisation solves three key energy problems.
Voltage optimisation solves three key problems
Overvoltage
This occurs when equipment receives voltage which is higher than what it was designed for. Voltage optimisation reduces the redundant energy demand from overvoltage and ensures the equipment lifetime is not reduced
Harmonics
Harmonics are waveforms which are caused from non-linear loads such as power supplies to computer equipment. When phase voltages aren’t balanced (which occurs frequently on three-phase supplies) distorted harmonics occur which can damage equipment and lead to inefficient energy consumption. Voltage optimisation devices minimise harmonics
Reactive power
Voltage optimisation reduces reactive power (i.e. power used to charge capacitors) and thereby improves the power factor (i.e. the useful power used as a ratio to the total power that is drawn – low power factors are inefficient because much less power is used as a % of total power drawn)
By solving these problems, voltage optimisation is a key measure in improving energy efficiency and reducing carbon emissions.
Generally, voltage optimisation is most suitable for sites which have a three-phase supply, although there are devices available for domestic environments as well.
Energy savings across a site that has voltage optimisation installed at the electrical supply point can range from 5-20% – depending on the age of the building and the installed equipment / lighting.
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