Model Forum / General / Models / February 2010

Sounds like the cabling to the workshop is too wimpy, resulting in a
voltage drop from the original supply voltage when you draw heavy
loads. Try measuring the supply voltage at your main fusebox under the
same load conditions & see what that is like - if the voltage is good
there, then its your cabling that is at fault, not the supply.

Regards,
Tony

Wikepedia explains it. See paragraph headed standardisation at
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mains_electricity

It appears that no country had to change anything to implement
HD 472 S1:1988  (see references 1 and 2 on Wikepedia page).

It appears to cost money to get a copy of the source documents.

230V +/-10% (207-253)
Before you complain to the leccy board.
Measure the voltages at the meter otherwise they might fob you off
saying it is your wiring at fault.
I have heard stories of their reluctance to do anything even in an over
voltage cases.

Are you neighbours affected too? Maybe some extra ammunition to your cause??

Good Luck

Bob

The document you want is "The Electricity Safety, Quality and
Continuity Regulations 2002"
(http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2002/uksi_20022665_en.pdf)

There has been updates since but only to update references from the
16th regs to the 17th regs.

From page 14

(3) For the purposes of this regulation, unless otherwise agreed in
writing by those persons specified in paragraph (2), the permitted
variations are—
(a) a variation not exceeding 1 per cent above or below the declared
frequency;
(b) in the case of a low voltage supply, a variation not exceeding 10
per cent above or 6 per cent below the declared voltage at the
declared frequency;
(c) in the case of a high voltage supply operating at a voltage below
132,000 volts, a variation not exceeding 6 per cent above or below the
declared voltage at the declared frequency; and
(d) in the case of a high voltage supply operating at a voltage of
132,000 volts or above, a variation not exceeding 10 per cent above or
below the declared voltage at the declared frequency.

note: low voltage =< 1000 v rms AC

mmmm, electricity suppliers...... Good luck

It is not uncommon at all to see lights dim / flouresants flash when
heavy loads are switched on. Electric showers and banks of
downlighters are particually good at that.

Also, the regs on volt drop within an installation have changed for
the 17th edition. It used to be 4% (9.2v) max. it has changed to 5%
(11.5v) for general circuits and 3% (6.9v) for lighting.

In the regs there is a general requirement to install under voltage
protection (this includes temporary loss of supply) where it may cause
harm (section 445), for example a motor overheating, or an item
stopping and restarting unexpectedly. In practice all consumer goods
will be tested and suitable devices inbedded within, such as a thermal
fuse or an interlock on a food mixer preventing you from getting at
the moving blade should it restart. So this requirement can be largely
ignored, and could itself cause danger if not properly applied, such
as having to reset a trip in the dark. I have only come across
dedicated units on large industrial stuff, with no-volt releases
(Motor starters) providing enough protection for smaller motors /
items.

Graham