Power fluctuations

[lee]

The power to my home fluctuates constantly through the day and is very noticeable when I have my UPS plugged in because it's constantly switching between AC and battery when the power drops. The fans slow down and speed up and you can hear the air-con unit's fan changing speed constantly.

I'm guessing these fluctuations are due to other homes/businesses on the grid using more power than the lines can handle or there needs to be a transformer closer to the area.

I've recorded a short video to show the UPS clicking in and out and you can hear the air-con in the background. It's like this all day and eventually gets better after 6pm.

I've tried calling the electricity company but I've no idea when they will have a look. Do any of you guys know what I can do on my side to stabilize the electricity source? It's driving me crazy.

[parrot]

You mentioned 'calling' the electric company. Many years ago when we had similar situation (power drops down to 165 volts) I made an excel spreadsheet with minute by minute power readings for an entire day. I took it to the electric company stood in front of the offices hoping someone would come along and ask me what I needed (my Thai was especially bad back then). Someone did.....he took me to an engineer who exclaimed "that's below spec". It was another 6 months before the electric company installed a small transformer along the road. Problem solved.
You might want to take a video of your UPS readings to the electric office and try to find a sympathetic engineer.

I'm guessing that someone is operating a welding machine in your neighborhood. If the problem is a recent one, maybe it's construction of a new house (welding of roof).
Another thing you might try is to switch off other circuit breakers in your home to see if that has any effect.....probably not, but at least you can identify that the problem is coming from outside your home.

Good luck.

[Allen A Hale]

Checking the circuit breakers might be a very good idea - starting with the circuit breaker for the A/C and UPS. Years ago in Louisiana I had a similar problem, electric company monitored the feed to the house and everything was fine. I was afarid that it was the aluminum wiring. One night it happened when my Electrical Engineer buddy was over at the house - he figured it out - a circuit breaker was chattering (heating up and almost tripping but not tripping, cooling off, and repeating. Replaced the circuit breaker - problem was solved.

[mortiboy]

I also have this problem. I dont think it is of appliances being used at peak times as it goes on through the night too!
I think its a faulty transformer maybe.I live just off Nong sam rong.
When the power goes down. the fan turns to a trickle .All downnthe street, neon lights flash start and stop
Then the computer shuts down.
When restart computer, it goes into all sorts of modes. Takes ages to reset. I lose desktop and have to set it again. also, if use youtube, sound breaks up.
Wife says it will be fixed in" one or two months" .... That was 3 months ago

[bluejets]

You already have your answer really when you said ...........
"I'm guessing these fluctuations are due to other homes/businesses on the grid using more power than the lines can handle or there needs to be a transformer closer to the area."

Many countries have a voltage level guarantee that swing will be less than 5% (12 volts at 240 volt)and they also enforce this at the other end so to speak when contractors install equipment. I doubt there is any such arrangement here though.
Sub-stations have automatic tap changers to adjust voltage as demand varies but the local transformer is nearly always a manual tap setting. Cannot set it too high or you start blowing things up under no load conditions.

All you can do is keep complaining to the authority really. That or install your own genset which becomes expensive.

Computer on certain types of UPS and lighting varying is ok but I would be careful if you notice fluctuations when a/c or friges are on. Motors in these do not like voltages under 180 as the "start" windings tend to come back in due to increased run current and they can cook themselves. You will not know it until they stop working as they are sealed units.

[bluejets]

Just had another thought, maybe check mains cabling from the pole to your installation. Many seem to use aluminium cable here because it is firstly cheaper, and secondly because copper tends to get knocked off. Aluminium cabling connections here are not prepared with anti-oxidant paste nor are bi-metal connectors used for any copper to aluminium joints so "cooked joints" or "bad connections" start to appear. Actually, no terminator seem to be used, flavour seems to be "twist and tape". Voltage drop effect with a bad joint is greater the bigger the load becomes at your end.

[lee]

Thanks for the replies guys. I will try the suggestions above and let you know how I get on.