Home Power Saving Device. - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: d3javu
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 15, 2015, 03:26:31 am
content: Hi folks,This is a "power saving device" which was sold to my parents by an electrician. Apparently it can save huge amount in bill. It has been running for past 3 years, during which i didnt notice any difference in billing. Initially i thought it could be slightly complex circuit or so on but was quite surprised this is all was in the device, a single capacitor and a green light in parallel, no ground or whatsoever. What do you guys think of this kind of devices sold in the market? I notice some says it is effective when there are inductive loads. My house uses single phase 240v.

author: NiHaoMike
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 15, 2015, 04:22:58 am
content: Just another PFC scam. Though not entirely useless as the 240V versions work nicely to bridge X10, Homeplug, and other PLC signals between the two phases. They just tend to cost way too much for the few benefits they provide.

author: d3javu
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 15, 2015, 05:12:59 am
content: Foundthisarticle which explains the power factor correction in quite a simple way.

author: Tomorokoshi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 15, 2015, 06:07:18 am
content: From the looks of it the energy bill will go to zero after it makes the house burn down.

author: mij59
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 15, 2015, 06:15:20 am
content: I think you came very close to burning the house down, this is total crap !In a home environment there are hardly any inductive loads worthy of power factor correction, I do not think you have to pay for reactant power.Placing a power factor correction device close to an inductive load will decrease the apparent current in the cable , thus reducing the power loss in the cable.Placing a capacitor across the mains will not affect an electromechanical energy meter, its just an other scam.

author: Ian.M
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 15, 2015, 06:23:19 am
content: TANSTAAFL applies. If it worked, was safe and cost-effective the utility companies would fit one to the supply side of each consumer's meter instead of building new power stations! As shown, at the meter in a domestic installation, its low grade snake oil. The ONLY place it might be appropriate is if you have an induction motor at the ends of a long cable run e.g. at a remote water wellhead, and it must be fitted AFTER any control gear so it is only in circuit when the motor is running, and also carefully matched to the motor. It would also need a much better grade of capacitor, though the one shown was probably salvaged to start with - check the date code on the cap! I see 11-14-07 on it. If its only been in service three years, it certainly shouldn't have an eight year old date code.

author: Delta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 15, 2015, 03:06:15 pm
content: This will have no affect whatsoever on any domestic electricity meter, be it mechanical or electronic, it's just bollocks.As usual with scams like this, there is the slightest tiniest bit of truth (power factor correction) buried in the pseudoscience.http://sound.westhost.com/lamps/power-savers.html

author: eas
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 15, 2015, 09:21:41 pm
content: I don't know how much your parents paid, but it might be a cheap lesson in not to trust that electrician for future work.

author: Delta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 15, 2015, 10:43:42 pm
content: Quote from: eas on November 15, 2015, 09:21:41 pmAnd also report him or her to whatever body regulates electricians in your area. Professionals should not be lowering themselves to selling shite like that.

author: max666
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 16, 2015, 12:04:48 am
content: Quote from: d3javu on November 15, 2015, 05:12:59 amQuote from:http://www.edn.com/electronics-blogs/beyond-bits-and-bytes/4374264/Power-factor-correction-devices--Can-they-really-reduce-your-electricity-bill-Now that's not true, is it? The current draw inside the motor windings is always the same independent of whether you have PFC or not. The question only is how far the additional reactive current has to be conducted until it sees a PFC. So it's more efficient in terms of less voltage drop along the cabling and grid, but the motor will have the same wear and tear and product life. Or am I missing something?

author: Delta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 16, 2015, 12:32:45 am
content: Quote from: max666 on November 16, 2015, 12:04:48 amYou are entirely correct.PFC reduces current flow in the distribution system, not the load.

author: amyk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 16, 2015, 01:11:09 am
content: http://www.bigclive.com/power.htm