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Checking power quality

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  • 03-08-2015 7:47pm
    #1
    rickmoister
    Registered Users Posts: 67 ✭✭


    Anyone know if there is a way of monitoring the quality of the power in my house?


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    #2
    2011
    Moderators, Home & Garden Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators, Regional East Moderators Posts: 12,595 Mod ✭✭✭✭2011


    rickmoister wrote: »
    Anyone know if there is a way of monitoring the quality of the power in my house?

    Yes

    What is your concern? THD, under voltage?


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    #3
    rickmoister
    Registered Users Posts: 67 ✭✭rickmoister


    Yes at times I feel that there is not enough power .


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    #4
    2011
    Moderators, Home & Garden Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators, Regional East Moderators Posts: 12,595 Mod ✭✭✭✭2011


    rickmoister wrote: »
    Yes at times I feel that there is not enough power .

    Why do you think this?
    What are the symptoms?
    This could simply be an issue of excessive volt drop due to undersized cables.


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    #5
    rickmoister
    Registered Users Posts: 67 ✭✭rickmoister


    one night when we turned on the electric shower it caused a problem with the dishwasher. When I turned off the shower the dishwasher worked again.This has happened on 2 occasions recently.


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    #6
    2011
    Moderators, Home & Garden Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators, Regional East Moderators Posts: 12,595 Mod ✭✭✭✭2011


    rickmoister wrote: »
    one night when we turned on the electric shower it caused a problem with the dishwasher. When I turned off the shower the dishwasher worked again.This has happened on 2 occasions recently.

    It sounds like the combined load may be causing excessive volt drop at the dishwasher.
    There are a number of possibilities, but mainly:

    1) There is not enough power available from the ESB. A larger transformer or larger cables supplying your meter and distribution board may be required.

    2) The final circuit supplying the dishwasher may be using undersized cables.

    The voltage at the appliance should not be less than 95% of the nominal voltage (230VAC). If I were investigating this I would measure the voltage at the dishwasher when it is switched on while the shower is running.

    When was the house wired?
    Are you living in a rural area?
    Are there any other issues ?


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    #7
    Stoner
    Registered Users Posts: 10,952 ✭✭✭✭Stoner


    Rent a power line analyser from the likes of BARB electrical a VIPs meter


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    #8
    ZENER
    Registered Users Posts: 6,163 ✭✭✭ZENER


    It would also be worth your while getting a sparks to check the main board for loose connections. I come across it regularly in older houses where someone has gunthered in the 10sq for the shower disturbing other cables in the DB.

    Do the lights dim when you turn on the kettle or an iron for example ?

    Ken


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    #9
    rickmoister
    Registered Users Posts: 67 ✭✭rickmoister


    The lights dim when the electric shower is turned on.


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    #10
    Luckysasha
    Registered Users Posts: 1,042 ✭✭✭Luckysasha


    Contact ESB and register a low voltage complaint. They will install a power meter to check the voltage over a certain period.


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