[Boatanchors] AC Line Voltage Regulation

[J. Forster]

If you are concerned with fairly slow line voltage changes, say over a
period of a few seconds, consider a motorized GR Variac line regulator.

Yes, they are old, but they are reliable, pretty low loss, will handle
lots of power, and can often be found cheap.

They will occasionally require a brush replacement, maybe every 10 years
or so, and the larger sizes are heavy.

The output waveform is just about a slightly scaled version of line.

Solas can be found used on eBay for about $100 for 500 Watts, BTW.

-John

=================




>
> I'd recommend that you contact your Connecticut state
> utility regulation commission with your complaint.
>
> Utility companies really hate paying for damages that
> are caused by poor line regulation!
>
> I'd bet you could find any number of lawyers that would
> just LOVE to get into a class action lawsuit against the
> big bad power company for damages!
>
> In the meantime, I'd suggest you change to 130V rated
> lamps as old 120V versions need to be replaced. The
> builder of our house (1999) put 130V lamps everywhere.
> 13 years later, we still have a few of the originals
> in use!
>
> * * * * * * * * * * *
> * 73 - Mac, K2GKK/5 *
> * (Since 30 Nov 53) *
> * k2gkk at hotmail.com *
> * Oklahoma City, OK *
> * USAF & FAA (Ret.) *
> * * * * * * * * * * *
>
>
>
>> From: jsternmd at att.net
>> To: jmfranke at cox.net; jfor at quikus.com
>> Date: Sun, 18 Nov 2012 15:23:46 -0500
>> CC: boatanchors at mailman.qth.net
>> Subject: [Boatanchors] AC Line Voltage Regulation
>>
>> I changed the subject title as it may have been misleading. I live in a
>> rural part of Connecticut and my line voltage varies from 114 vac on
>> some
>> days to 129 vac on others ... it is fairly steady on any particular day.
>> I
>> have used my heavy duty Variacs but would prefer something that doesn't
>> need
>> daily adjustments. Complaining to the power company has not helped.
>>
>> Someone mentioned that the BAMA article was thyristor-based not just a
>> bucking xfrmr and offered some regulation besides reduction. I was
>> thinking
>> of an AC constant 115 vac regulator system capable of handling several
>> of my
>> boatanchors (eg 10A) using TRIAC's but I have read that the output
>> waveform
>> is distorted, maybe MOSFETs and SPWM? Has anyone needed or bothered to
>> go
>> to such an elaborate setup?
>>
>> TIA,
>> Jerry
>> K1JOS
>