Need help with Power Problem

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kunallkw

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Hi guys, Summers have hit bad here in UP and to worsen things there's these extended power cuts

First

  • So to begin with our house facing some extremely heavy and frequent current fluctuations. Burnt my LCD monitor thank god for its warranty (Dell).Been using a UPS where ever I can - TV, PC, Console.

Need a one item solution to manage the power fluctuations of the entire house.
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Second

  • This is our third inverter in three years some weird thing happens - I think because of power fluctuations and it the inverter refuses to charge. To our fault we've been getting them from brands like Luminous, Sukam, and a local Kioto.

Power requirement during power cuts will be 800-1000VA. I had narrowed up on the APC Back-UPS HI - Product Information based on previous thread please share your views on the same. Also tell me about the ASS.

Ebay lists it for 7k so how much should I get it for Locally ?
 
It seems the supply voltage range in your house is outside the "tolerable" limits for most appliances. While the inverter would serve you during power cuts, I recommend you get a mainline stabilizer for your entire house. Depending on your usage and appliances, you can choose the rating. VGuard offers in 5kVA & 8 kVA ratings.

By supplying conditioned power to your equipment (including inverter during charging), you will not only increase their life but also lower the maintenance/ repair costs.

I guess you are using a computer UPS for your equipment at present. Please remember that most of these computer UPS output modified sine wave power on battery backup, which may prove to be harmful for sensitive equipment like flat panel TV or audio equipment. If at all you have to use the computer UPS for power conditioning only (not for backup), connect the equipment to the socket which says "only surge protection".
 
Chiranjib said:
I guess you are using a computer UPS for your equipment at present. Please remember that most of these computer UPS output modified sine wave power on battery backup, which may prove to be harmful for sensitive equipment like flat panel TV or audio equipment. If at all you have to use the computer UPS for power conditioning only (not for backup), connect the equipment to the socket which says "only surge protection".
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If thats the case computer and LCD monitor should have burnt when ups works. These are pure DC appliances and doesnot affect with the wave same with lcd tv. The equipment that fails with the Sq.Wave is tubelights and A/C induction motor.
 
So many thanks for replying Chiranjib and vijaycool .

So what you guys are saying I get a power conditioner installed between the supply and the point where the power enters my home. And Vguard should be my bet ? - But I have a 3 phase mainline so how should I go about it ?

Also yes I use the UPS for my LCD TV because of big paranoia of having to deal with a dead LCD TV due to power problem. Do you suggest I remove the UPS from there and install a small voltage stabilizer with a surge protector power strip ?

And what about my choice on the Inverter ? the APC one in the OP some views on that ?
 
During power cuts, the APC inverter should serve you fine. I suggest you go for Exide Invatubular battery for getting good backup during long power cuts.

For the LCD Tv, you can get a voltage stabilizer (from a reputed brand like VGuard). I feel it would be better than the UPS for power conditioning purpose.

For supplying conditioned power to the entire house, what you have said is correct. But do get clarified about the 3-phase vs 1-phase supply from a person in the know about this matter. Probably other members can help.
 
Chiranjib said:
For supplying conditioned power to the entire house, what you have said is correct. But do get clarified about the 3-phase vs 1-phase supply from a person in the know about this matter. Probably other members can help.
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Power conditioning the entire house will be a costly affair. First you need to monitor inline voltages for 1 week in all 3 phases. Once you establish lowest voltage and highest voltage available in each phase you can go for suitable 3ph 5~7.5KVA servo stabilizer.
 
Power conditioning for the whole house will cost a bomb. As such the brands (Sukam & Luminous) you tried are not junk - they are mainstream brands. Just to let you know that APC did try their luck in the home segment and came with such pathetic pieces that they exited very quickly.

Reg. the inverter refusing to charge, did you get any of the service guys to check them out? It may be a problem with the charging ckt/board. No need to change the entire unit.

APC's ASS was OK (personal experience).

Inverters are something (esp. the battery part) that require "local" touch. Suggest that you buy from a local dealer.

Top up the battery regularly (there will be a visible level indicator) - ignore the "maintenance free blah blah blah" it is BS. All batteries other than the completely sealed types need top-up. Buy the distilled water from any petrol bunk.
 
Got the inverter fixed. There was a certain capacitor that had conked off. Now fixed.

Damn, I had such high hopes for APC. So do you recommend I donot get a better inverter and this will hold me good ?

Also how much investment are we looking at for whole house power conditioning ? How good are the Vguard Main line stabilizers ?
 
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