Why Use Voltage Optimisation Units?

Jason Hallam, Technical Manager at CPN-Cudis, explains how voltage optimisation units can reduce electricity use.

Put simply, if the reduction in supply voltage is carefully matched to the needs of the electrical equipment it’s possible to make a substantial energy saving. Voltage optimisation is an accepted and proven technology, which can provide energy savings of up to 15%.

Because the European market is far larger than the UK market, electrical equipment is predominantly designed to operate most efficiently at 220V (the agreed European harmonised supply voltage), which means that a considerable proportion of electrical equipment consumes more energy the higher the supply voltage applied to it.

It makes more sense to reduce the supply voltage nearer to the lower end of the CE voltage range. With the right type of equipment, for every 1% reduction in voltage, you will see roughly a 2% reduction in energy consumption.

A value-added product
Voltage optimisation units offer many benefits to the end-user, the most significant being that it decreases energy consumption and lowers carbon emissions. However, overvoltage is not only a huge waste of energy and money, it can also decrease the life of electrical appliances.

A television that should have a life span of about eight years, can be reduced to just a couple of years because of overvoltage. Therefore, the voltage optimisation unit has a secondary saving by increasing the life of electrical equipment and reducing electrical breakdowns.

Different types of equipment deliver various levels of energy saving for the same reduction in voltage. For example, in an office or commercial setting, when a voltage optimisation unit is installed, fixed speed motors (typically found in air conditioning units and machine shops) provide a very good energy saving. Non-thermostatically controlled heating (such as towel rails and hand dryers) have a high saving and mains frequency lighting even higher.

Ease of installation
The CPN-Cudis B60 is a single-phase voltage optimisation unit, suitable for residential, small business and light commercial applications. It reduces the incoming supply voltage by 18V and is equipped with short circuit, overload and protection. The B60 has third party testing approval to meet EMC and LVD standards.

Fitting the unit is straightforward and it can be easily installed by a qualified electrician. The B60 is designed to be installed between the main electricity meter and consumer unit, in the most practical and accessible position available. It’s a simple three wire connection. The installation location should be clean, dry and well ventilated.

When discussing the benefits of installing a voltage optimisation unit with your customer, the fact that you are selling a saving should make it a simple decision. The financial benefit combined with the positive environmental impact of energy saving products, such as voltage optimisation units, provide customers with a strong reason to buy the product.