VOLTAGE OPTIMISATION
Voltage optimisation is beneficial when the electricity supply to your site is at a higher voltage level than needed, resulting in excessive energy consumption and high electricity bills. Voltage optimisation systems work to optimise the outgoing voltage without compromising the supply.
One of the reasons why voltage optimisation is so effective is that the average voltage supplied from the National Grid is 242V (although it can be as high as 253V), whereas the nominal UK voltage is 230V.
Where load remains constant, a reduction in voltage will see a corresponding reduction in current. For example a 5% reduction in the voltage at the motor will result in a 5% reduction in current (at all times except when the motor is on full capacity. When a motor is required to produce its full power capacity it will do so regardless of the input voltage).
The reduction in the current flow will affect the inductance and therefore reduce the magnetisation losses within the motor.
XL is impedance, therefore the bigger the impedance the bigger the losses. Hence, for a 5% reduction in the current flow, there would be a 5% reduction in the motor impedance and a 5% reduction in the power consumption.
Theoretically, for a 5% reduction in the voltage, the total savings would be up to 15% (10% from resistive and 5% from inductive components).
Practically, savings will be dependent on individual site conditions. The site survey is therefore fundamental in estimating a premises’ savings.
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