Electricty Overload Issues

[rikhav]

Hi all
Off lately, the lights in the house dim for a second or 2 and then come back to normal. Also computer UPS goes on to the battery for a second
Its happening when compressor of the air conditioner restarts after switching for few minutes
I googled to find a reason for this happening and it was written in some articles that overload happens due to weak capacitor in the air conditioner or weak ac fan motor

The said acs belong to the people staying a floor down. Its very unlikely that if I request them , they will get their acs checked and get the parts replaced


I wanted to know if this overload which happens every 10 to 12 mins is harmful for hifi equipment or not?

If its then what's the solution to counter it or minimize its effects

Thanks

 

[sidvee]

Rikhav the main issue is if the voltage fluctuation that you are noticing is within the range specified by your components for ex. 225 - 235 volts, then there is no harm, but beyond that equipment power supplies can get damaged. Use of servo stabilizer is highly recommended regardless of whether you have fluctuations or not. It is cheap insurance IMO. I have 3 units, 2 inuse and one on standby.
Cheers,
Sid

 

[rikhav]

Rikhav the main issue is if the voltage fluctuation that you are noticing is within the range specified by your components for ex. 225 - 235 volts, then there is no harm, but beyond that equipment power supplies can get damaged. Use of servo stabilizer is highly recommended regardless of whether you have fluctuations or not. It is cheap insurance IMO. I have 3 units, 2 inuse and one on standby.
Cheers,
Sid

Hi Sid
Thanks for the reply

From the grid the voltage is very stable. Its at 230 volts and stays there.
I will check how much the voltage dips to during the overload and post on this thread

 

[Fantastic]

When the a/c compressor motor starts up , the initial current is quite large and then soon drops down to it's normal operating value. This causes a voltage drop in the mains cabling causing your voltage to drop.
Theoretically if your mains distribution system in the building is good , you should not get a voltage drop when the flat 'below' you turns on their a/c as they should have a separate electric circuit. However if the system is old or defective the mains reaching your floor itself might be affected by their current flow. Better to call a qualified electrician to check it out. Try to get one from a building contractor. They are better than the average local 'electrician' !
What you are saying should not happen. You better fix it.

 

[Falcon21]

its not his a/c he is talking about

yes it may very likely impact any electrical equipment if in use

get a belkin surge protector and you don't have to worry ever

Belkin : Ultimate Series 8-Socket Surge Protector

 

[ghatgepatil]

I would go by what Fantastic has suggested .... seriously. Whatever is happening at your place should never happen.

 

[rikhav]

But the voltage never drops when acs in my house are in use. Just to check I kept two 1.5 ton acs on for 15 to 20 mins to check if the overload is happening

That makes me think that might be one of the acs in use on the floor below has some issue and due to that overload is being caused

Moreover, there is a bank on the ground floor which uses minimum 15 tons of air conditioning. So overload should be more evident during banking hours which is not the case

Still I will consult a good electrician and see what he has to say.

It should not be happening in the first place

 

[Fantastic]

Just to clear a point. This is NOT overload ! All motors have a much larger start up current until they pick up speed. When they reach normal operating speed the current drops. This is 'normal'. Usually lasts less than a second or so.
If you do not get any voltage drops from your a/c coming on and off , then the the wiring on your floor is fine. If something else in the building is consuming very large amounts of current AND is causing a voltage drop right at the incoming mains point to the building then all of you will have this voltage drop....all flats in your building. Have they all got the same problem on all floors ? It's good if they do !
That would mean that you need to attend to what's possibly on the ground floor ! Maybe. Get the electrician to check it out. He would be able to find out.

I recently checked a 1.5 ton a/c which consumed about 9 amps mid day but 11 amps at night ( when the compressor came on !). That was because the day time voltage was 230 V and it was less than 200V at night ! Do you have bigger voltage drops at night ? Then it must be an a/c somewhere , and as you pointed out can't be the bank as it is closed at night.

 

[rikhav]

Update
The issue has stopped by itself or maybe its not very prominent

My guess is that the apartment on 1st floor has a very big unit for the drawing room and when they use it, the overload happens

Since its raining since last 12 to 14 days in Mumbai, they must have not used it