11-12-2014, 04:26 AM
(11-07-2014, 05:43 PM)Phlogiston Wrote: I just called the power co and talked them into setting my transformer down to 119V. CAUTION: I had good reason, it was at 127V and I'm the only one on it.
Have you ever thought about how that extra 8 volts affects your power bill? Let's see - Ohm's Law - - I cant really tell that the florescent bulbs are any dimmer, and I suppose the compressor motor on my fridg is generating a little less torque, but the pop is still cold - - Hum
I think I would do the same, even though there are two or three other houses on the same transformer. Fortunately the line voltage seems to be right where it should be, between 119 to 121 volts, though if they were interested in conserving power they could reduce it all to 115 volts. It would save more power then those stupid CFLs ever will, not that they save energy at all since the consume more in the production phase. AC motors won't care, their speed is governed by line frequency, 110, 115, 120, 125 volts, it won't run any faster or slower, but it will run cooler sometimes, and use less current On a brush or universal motor the reduced voltage will make some difference, though pretty negligible, but again it will use less current. On transformers it will do nothing but help them live longer, lower voltage means cooler running. Since the electric meter measures the ratio between voltage and current, yes it will make your bill higher, for power you don't need to use.
Regards
Arran