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Author
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Topic: What Is UK Mains Voltage?
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Maurice Leakey
Film God
Posts: 5895
From: Bristol. United Kingdom
Registered: Oct 2007
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posted November 24, 2012 05:08 AM
Most people would answer that the mains voltage in the UK is 230, but have you put a meter on your mains supply lately? You'll be surprised that it measures 240.
It all started over twenty years ago when the white goods manufacturers complained that it was costing them extra to produce items for the UK's 240 volt system, whereas most of Europe was on 220 volts.
Now. Here's the simple solution. Compromise. Change all to 230, and make the suppliers happy.
For many years the UK's declared voltage was 240, however, because of the design of the electricity companies distribution systems it was not always possible. To cover any slight variations there was a tolerance of plus or minus 6 percent.
Because of this tolerance the actual voltage in your house could vary between 225.6 and 254.4.
From January 1995 the UK "adopted" 230 volts. But, here's the crunch! The tolerance was now plus 10 percent and minus 6 percent. The new tolerance now meant that the power companies could legally supply you between 216.2 and 253.
Nothing was changed to the electricity supply systems. It was just a paper exercise.
Check your projector setting. Did you alter it to 230?, If so, change it quickly to 240. Were your lamps burning out more quickly than before?
I suggest you even set to 250. See what the picture looks like on your normal sized screen, and if it's acceptable why not leave it set at that.
There is now talk of altering the tolerance to plus or minus 10 percent. This would allow a variation of between 207 and 253.
Get out your test meter now!
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Maurice
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