2. tech-talk
  3. 157034-146237

Suspected power fluctuations on new 20A Circuit

I recently installed a new circuit (ran new romex to a new 20A breaker) in the existing 150A electrical panel in my house.  The devices that are currently using this circuit are:

Pro-ject debut carbon SB
Pro-ject tube box s
NAD T785
32" Samsung LED TV
24" HP LED Monitor
Roku

I purchased the NAD T785 overseas, therefore I need a transformer to accommodate the 220V requirement.  I'm using Seven Star AR-1000 voltage regulator. With all devices powered down (or in Standby mode), I can hear a clicking sound in the voltage regulator.  This is a sound that I've previously heard when lights flickered (before moving to new circuit).  I therefore suspect that something irregular is occurring or there is some sort of power fluctuation (this is where my understanding of electricity ends).  Is what I'm hearing doing the job by providing a regulated power to my equipment? Do I need something different?  Better?  Is there a tool that can be used to analyse precisely what is occurring?  If this is a new circuit, I also suspect what I'm experiencing is caused by my town's electrical cables.



msafrick
erik_squires
16,908 posts
 
Why do you need regulated power? Venezuela? Zimbabwe?


Yeah, that’s why so many voltage regulators are installed sold in the US. In at least one location I lived in a regulator kept my home voltage from spiking to nearly 130V. Within tolerances, but not my personal comfort.


Have you listened to compare with/without the regulator? Because that is the only basis on which to buy anything


It truly amazes me anyone listens to your knee-jerk proclamations about anything.

A voltage regulator is a very useful feature though thank goodness few in the US actually need them. No, the sound quality is not the way to judge need, in this case a voltage meter is the correct and only way to assess the situation.

If the OP is hearing the regulator adjusting it means he’s probably got fluctuations of 5V or more. That’s not necessarily bad, but understanding the range of V in his house and this specific circuit is varying is important. When this happened at my home it took the power company to intervene, which they never would have unless I had a voltage monitor installed. They agreed there was an issue and eventually resolved it.

All sorts of things could be going on, measurement is the quickest way to a cure.

Best,


E
oldhvymec
5,101 posts
 
Eric

Cool gadget, I like it...Can it store data for any period of time, that you know of? Even without memory it would be a good diag tool.. Safe...compact.. It would be nice if it could store data though..

Regards
erik_squires
16,908 posts
 
Hey OP: 

Not for $30. ;-)

Best,

E
Post removed 
msafrick OP
19 posts
 
As noted in my original post, the purpose of the voltage regulator is for the transformer as the NAD T785 was purchased overseas and requires 220V.  The AR-1000 voltage regulator is not an expensive piece of equipment  (roughly $60).  Only because I can hear a "click" sound, did I suspect irregularities.  I'd also like to better understand what is occurring that causes a click, from an electrical point of view.

I'm open to suggestions if there is a better product on the market, but I wasn't looking to invest several hundreds on high end power normalizing gear.
More to discover