How to choose a thyristor voltage regulator for a house?

Quite often, owners of private homes are faced with the fact that the voltage in the network is significantly different from that necessary for the operation of household appliances. In this case, such jumps happen several times a day, which leads to the failure of the equipment. Therefore, experts recommend using a thyristor voltage regulator , which will provide the necessary for safe operation of the power supply network.

Why exactly thyristor?

In the modern market for such products, three models of stabilizers predominate. They differ in their characteristics and have a completely different principle of action. Therefore, before you buy a thyristor voltage regulator, you need to consider other types of designs to be sure of your own choice.

General device

The main element of the stabilizer is the autotransformer. This product can be made of copper or aluminum. Dependence on this depends on the service life and the total cost.

The control scheme is an element of the device that allows you to set the necessary parameters, control and switch all the parts together.

The closing keys are exactly what a particular design depends on. If triacs are used as them, a thyristor voltage regulator is obtained, and in the case of relay application the device is called relay. Also, latres can be used as keys. Such stabilizers are called electromechanical or servo-drive.

It is the keys that should be considered first, since the main characteristics of the device depend on them.

Relay structures

If we compare thyristor triac voltage stabilizers with relay devices, the latter are primarily of low cost and easy in post-warranty service. However, their reliability leaves much to be desired, and the accuracy of stabilization is much inferior to other models.

Also, consumers note the very noisy operation of the structure. In this case, such a drawback can be easily eliminated using special insulating materials.

Previously, it was believed that relay systems have a low adjustment rate, but modern parts have almost completely eliminated this problem. The new units are almost inferior to thyristors in speed.

The systems using latre

Some users, by the criterion of reliability, compare a thyristor-type voltage regulator with designs, for which latrs are used as keys. However, such statements have no basis. The fact is that servodrive products have a special motor, quite often and quickly failing.

Also, such designs have a number of small shortcomings, which together can become a real problem. They make noise, lose power, require regular maintenance, are very sensitive to large overloads and have large dimensions.

However, these products have their own merits. They are expressed in a small cost and a wide adjustment range.

Thyristors (triacs)

It should immediately be noted that electronic thyristor voltage regulators are quite expensive. However, they practically combined all the advantages of previous designs and brought products of this type to a completely different level. Such stabilizers can be called one of the most reliable and durable.

Products of this type have a minimum adjustment time, which makes protection of household appliances the most effective. Power during the stabilization process is practically not lost, which is also important for some equipment. This device is characterized by high accuracy of adjustment.

Among the drawbacks of such designs is the distortion of the output signal and the formation of interference. However, this defect in new models is eliminated even during manufacture, as well as other minor shortcomings. The main factor that repels buyers, is an exorbitant price, although some experts argue that such costs are fully justified.

Considering that in the life of modern man it is practically impossible to do without costly household appliances, it is best to spend on thyristor voltage stabilizers for the home than to carry a TV or refrigerator in the repair. This is a reasonable saving and the right approach to safety.

A thyristor or a triac?

Some consumers often can not understand that both of these terms are considered similar in the context of the story of voltage regulators. The fact is that the triac is one of the types of the thyristor. However, unlike the latter, it has no separation into cathodes and anodes. In these semiconductor devices, all the conclusions can be both.

Therefore, it is generally accepted that stabilizers assembled on triacs can be conditionally called thyristors. However, for simplicity of understanding the principle of action and abbreviation of the name, most manufacturers do not use this term. They simply say that they are electronic stabilizers, although their design assumes the presence of a mechanical component.

What to consider when choosing

Before choosing thyristor voltage regulators for home, you need to understand what problems in the network arise. It is also important to measure the voltage and take into account the frequency of the fluctuations. This may take some time and equipment. Therefore, it is much easier to invite a specialist to perform such manipulations.

Power

This parameter is very important, because it determines the degree of load on the product. Immediately it is worth noting that buying a stabilizer of this type for a particular equipment is inappropriate, and therefore, it is necessary to calculate the consumption of all devices. To do this, you need to find on the technology a sign with the parameters, where usually the power is indicated. Further, all the data obtained is added and 20% added to them. This stock is simply necessary, as it will ensure a smooth operation, allow you to connect additional equipment and extend the life of the device. It is important to remember that electric motors and refrigerators at start-up significantly exceed the rated power, which is also better to take into account.

Number of phases

For private houses, three-phase thyristor voltage stabilizers are commonly used. They are several times more expensive, their performance in some manufacturers is significantly different. In general, this parameter directly depends on the technical conditions of the building to which the electrical network is suitable.

Minimum and maximum stress

This parameter is the main one, because the thyristor voltage regulator simply turns off when the minimum value is reached in the network. This is due to the fact that the device needs to take the voltage for equalization, and it starts to load the line, which further reduces its voltage. Given this, experts advise the lower limit on this parameter to take with a significant margin. However, this also affects the cost of the product.

The parameter of the maximum voltage is also important. However, it can be limited in approximate value. The voltage reserve in this direction will lead to unjustified costs and may not even be used for the entire lifetime of operation.

Additions

Even the most common thyristor voltage regulator, single-phase, can have a mass of various additions that simplify its operation and maintenance. Many manufacturers equip their products with a number of electronic circuits, control and monitoring systems. It comes to the fact that there are models that can connect to the computer and display the diagram of their work.

At this stage, everyone has the right to choose what he needs. However, experts believe that the availability of its own processor or a complex control system only increases the cost of the design and its repair. Therefore, they prefer to stop their choice on products with a quality transformer and a minimal package of additions.

Selecting a product based on a specific problem

If there are frequent fluctuations with slight deviations from the norm, then for such cases it is possible to purchase a standard thyristor voltage regulator "Energia" or buy a product based on a relay. In the second case, you can save a little, although the quality construction will always be quite expensive. Both these devices respond quickly to changes in the network and ensure the safe operation of all household appliances, even with the intensity of the jumps.

When the voltage rises or falls for a long time and at this jump value is too large (30-60 volts), you can use a voltage regulator 220V thyristor, which takes into account the parameters of such differences. Also for such situations, the servo-drive design is also suitable. However, it is worth remembering that a quality key of this type can sometimes cost more than a transformer, and cheap products fail too quickly. With this in mind, professionals are almost completely reluctant to use electromechanical systems. They are used only in everyday life.

If the consumer is confronted with the fact that he has all the problems listed above, he only needs a thyristor stabilizer. The fact is that it can be called universal and able to cope with almost any task included in the list of its functions. It possesses speed, accuracy and at the same time is the most reliable.

General protection without problems in the network

Very often people acquire a thyristor voltage regulator in order to secure their technique from possible differences. At the same time they are not going to spend significant sums and they are not interested in high-quality products of high reliability. This approach can be called absolutely incorrect, since it not only leads to unnecessary costs, but also can not provide the necessary level of protection.

The fact is that if you do not have large drops or sudden surges in the network, then the stabilizer is simply not needed. Its acquisition will only lead to additional costs, and if you want to save you get a chance to purchase a design that itself can cause a short circuit.

For such cases, it is necessary to use special relays that simply turn off the power in the network when a drop occurs. At the same time, they have a certain delay, which is very good for a few races, running in a row.

Some manufacturers offer to purchase household stabilizers, which can be connected to a certain technique. Such a technical solution fits ideally in combination with a relay and is considered optimal.

Recommendations of specialists

You can assemble a thyristor voltage regulator with your own hands. However, it is worth remembering that the factory device passes a series of tests on a special test bench, where its reliability and quality are checked. Also such constructions need adjustment of parameters that they correspond to specific technical conditions. Therefore homemade products are not in demand, since the protection of expensive household appliances depends on their operation.

The use of a voltage regulator is not a panacea for all problems in the network associated with the operation of various household appliances. Experts argue that only comprehensive protection can give a certain guarantee. Therefore, it is worthwhile to additionally purchase other devices that respond to both swings and closures.

You can not save on such a technique, but this does not mean that you should overpay for certain brands or additional functions that you will never have to use. Experts stop their choice on the proven manufacturers and try to acquire models that do not have a large number of electronic control systems. It is better to spend more on a quality product with a good transformer than to buy a fashionable stabilizer with a bunch of new options that will fail in a few months.

When purchasing such products it is very important to find out about the availability of the warranty period and the service center in your city. Sometimes the out-of-service product has to be thrown away, as spare parts for it can not be found. Also for these reasons, you should not take too complex models with a lot of electronics or monitoring equipment.

Conclusion

Buying a voltage regulator thyristor, you need to consider a number of factors that will subsequently affect the operation of the product. Proceeding from the text that is presented above, it can be concluded that to increase the level of comfort and safety it is not worth saving, choosing cheap designs with optimal characteristics. All parameters that a stabilizer must have must correspond to the actual state of the serviced network.