Volunteer sir sanders zingmore Posted August 15, 2014 Volunteer Posted August 15, 2014 I suspect that my mains voltage is sometimes little low and I'm wondering how to test it. Is it as simple as shoving a multimeter across a powerpoint or is that a stupidly dangerous thing to do? Also, is there a way to check whether I have any DC coming through my mains power? thanks in advance
Addicted to music Posted August 16, 2014 Posted August 16, 2014 Without a multimeter, what makes you think that the incoming mains is low? Unless you are comfortable in using a multimeter on the mains without killing yourself, I would think twice in doing it. 3
Green Wagon Posted August 16, 2014 Posted August 16, 2014 Yes, multimeter across active and neutral. VERY CAREFULLY. That will give a rough indication of voltage. As with all things the quality of the meter will affect the final value, but even sub $100 ones should be up to the task these days. As for checking the 'DC', unless you have an oscilloscope or are more experienced, leave it alone......... A quick test is if you have something with a large toroidal transformer (above 700vac), 'DC' will make it hum or buzz intermittently. If you think it's really bad, best way is to contact your local electricity supplier and lodge a incorrect voltage complaint. They will come and hook up a massive power monitor (and I mean massive, 2 man steel box jobbie) to your meter box and leave it there for a few weeks. We did that when we had mains dropping to 200v for extended periods on a regular basis. Took them ~6+ years to rectify. (required upgrades of the local sub station, pole transformers, above and below ground cabling) We now sit on 240 day in day out.
betty boop Posted August 16, 2014 Posted August 16, 2014 Without a multimeter, what makes you think that the incoming mains is low? Unless you are comfortable in using a multimeter on the mains without killing yourself, I would think twice in doing it. Yes get an electrician. If playing with mains get a qualified electrician. Keep in mind what is being suggested here is measuring live mains voltage. 2
Saxon Hall Posted August 16, 2014 Posted August 16, 2014 (edited) A multimeter is adequate in testing voltage. However if you are unsure or not familiar with their use it would be best to leave it to an expert who would not electrocute them selves by touching the metal probes which need to be inserted into power points. (This advice has already been given but I think it is worth repeating) Edited August 16, 2014 by holdencaulfield2007 1
GregWormald Posted August 16, 2014 Posted August 16, 2014 I don't know about DC measures but the voltage is quite readily monitored with a cheap plug-in power consumption meter. Greg
rocky500 Posted August 16, 2014 Posted August 16, 2014 (edited) Like Greg above mentioned, get yourself one of those testers. Something like this. https://www.testandtagsupplies.com.au/zencart/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=393 Edited August 16, 2014 by rocky500 4
maxspl Posted August 16, 2014 Posted August 16, 2014 That's a handy unit...will get one of those myself. Thanks for posting the link. 2
colinm1 Posted August 16, 2014 Posted August 16, 2014 I have a power meter that gives me voltage amp ect. Been there for about 3years now we get about 245 v.tell your power provider you think the meter is broken and they may put a new one in,like mine ! For free, From the meter and before is their problem after the meter is yours As all said before if you don't know what your doing leave electrics alone
Volunteer sir sanders zingmore Posted August 16, 2014 Author Volunteer Posted August 16, 2014 Like Greg above mentioned, get yourself one of those testers. Something like this. https://www.testandtagsupplies.com.au/zencart/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=393 So how does it work. Do I plug it into the wall and then plug my amp into it?
ArthurDent Posted August 16, 2014 Posted August 16, 2014 So how does it work. Do I plug it into the wall and then plug my amp into it? The meter will show volts and frequency even if nothing is plugged into it but you can plug your amp in if you want to measure it's power consumption.
Volunteer sir sanders zingmore Posted August 16, 2014 Author Volunteer Posted August 16, 2014 The meter will show volts and frequency even if nothing is plugged into it but you can plug your amp in if you want to measure it's power consumption. cool, I ordered one
Guest Posted August 16, 2014 Posted August 16, 2014 :lol: You'd have to try pretty hard to electrocute yourself using a multimeter. Even if you do bridge the live and neutral the meter is designed to trip. Or you'll trip a switch in the fuse box. Those plug-in meters are handy though if you just wanna know "what's going on"
andyr Posted August 16, 2014 Posted August 16, 2014 Yes, multimeter across active and neutral. VERY CAREFULLY. That will give a rough indication of voltage. As with all things the quality of the meter will affect the final value, but even sub $100 ones should be up to the task these days. As for checking the 'DC', unless you have an oscilloscope or are more experienced, leave it alone......... A quick test is if you have something with a large toroidal transformer (above 700vac), 'DC' will make it hum or buzz intermittently. If you think it's really bad, best way is to contact your local electricity supplier and lodge a incorrect voltage complaint. They will come and hook up a massive power monitor (and I mean massive, 2 man steel box jobbie) to your meter box and leave it there for a few weeks. We did that when we had mains dropping to 200v for extended periods on a regular basis. Took them ~6+ years to rectify. (required upgrades of the local sub station, pole transformers, above and below ground cabling) We now sit on 240 day in day out. Wow, that is quite a story, gw! I can understand the electricity company being interested in finding out what is causing your 200v supply and I can understand that what they did over 6 years stops this from happening again ... but I'm surprised you now get a constant 240v (ie. it doesn't go over 240v). Regards, Andy
Freedom Posted August 16, 2014 Posted August 16, 2014 What would make you think that your 'voltage' was wrong?
Addicted to music Posted August 17, 2014 Posted August 17, 2014 :lol: You'd have to try pretty hard to electrocute yourself using a multimeter. Even if you do bridge the live and neutral the meter is designed to trip. Or you'll trip a switch in the fuse box. Those plug-in meters are handy though if you just wanna know "what's going on" Dont take this the wrong way DVpusher, if you didn't make these comments some else will. I have worked with some of the most highly qualified engineers and some have Electronics Engineer qualifications, some just have no confidence in using a MM or have used the wrong settings. They don't take safety precautions and blow things up during measurements. I have witness some one who was that confident in wiring 3 phase up and actually got it wrong and tripped the building c/b. so yeah telling someone who you don't know on a forum like this that it's pretty hard to electrocute yourself worries me and is not the sort discussion to engage confidence in. Just remember everyone is different and we do thing differently. 6
Volunteer sir sanders zingmore Posted August 17, 2014 Author Volunteer Posted August 17, 2014 What would make you think that your 'voltage' was wrong? Two things, first I can hear the voltage regulator on my amps engaging. This should only happen when I'm driving them really hard. Second, I can hear the amps humming, hence the question about DC This doesn't happen all the time, so I suspect it's only at certain times of the day or when there's some other load on the circuits.
Freedom Posted August 17, 2014 Posted August 17, 2014 (edited) Two things, first I can hear the voltage regulator on my amps engaging. This should only happen when I'm driving them really hard. Second, I can hear the amps humming, hence the question about DC This doesn't happen all the time, so I suspect it's only at certain times of the day or when there's some other load on the circuits. Fair enough. That's out of my league. The mains voltage can fluctuate from 220v to 240v depending on what area your in. Edited August 17, 2014 by surfpurple
Volunteer sir sanders zingmore Posted August 17, 2014 Author Volunteer Posted August 17, 2014 Fair enough. That's out of my league. The mains voltage can fluctuate from 220v to 240v depending on what area your in. I don't think 220 is a concern. I suspect it needs to be a fair bit lower for the voltage regulator to kick in.
Green Wagon Posted August 17, 2014 Posted August 17, 2014 :lol: You'd have to try pretty hard to electrocute yourself using a multimeter. Even if you do bridge the live and neutral the meter is designed to trip. Or you'll trip a switch in the fuse box. Those plug-in meters are handy though if you just wanna know "what's going on" Actually no. Its pretty easy. Cheap meters have very thin poorly insulated leads with poorly shrouded probes. Very easy for a finger to slip on the probe and end up on the metal. If the meter is in the wrong mode it can short out and then the meter and/or leads can become a hazard. cheap meters also tend to be very unreliable for accuracy. Yes, meters should have internal fuses etc, but I have personally seen cheaper ones turned into molten or chard 'puddle art'. The elcb's in the fuse box should provide some protection (assuming they still function as intended), but i believe the microsecond before it trips is still enough to stop a heart. When we first moved in here, it had one elcb for the whole house (2 phase, trips on either, takes out everything). It was constantly tripping on the fridge, so we bypassed it. Recently replaced our entire cabinet with new micro elcb's for each circuit, and I tell you, they are a hell of a lot more sensitive and reliable than the single one that was there. Haven't had a single 'fridge' trip either. Wow, that is quite a story, gw! I can understand the electricity company being interested in finding out what is causing your 200v supply and I can understand that what they did over 6 years stops this from happening again ... but I'm surprised you now get a constant 240v (ie. it doesn't go over 240v). Regards, Andy Story goes, we were having constant brown outs, we measured our mains in house as being 220 on a good hour, more like 200 most of the time, and below that wasnt uncommon. We called seqeb and reported the variation to be well outside "acceptable limits". They sent out an investigator, who did a quick meter box check, then he and his offsider carried in a 'steel tool box' that was designed for long term recording. It was hooked into the meter box and left for 2 weeks. When they returned, they looked at each other and said, 'Hm, yes ok well it is a bit low, we'll report the findings'. We were told it would not be a 'soon' fix, more likely years if at all. Later we discovered they'd put monitors on the pole transformers and in other areas in the suburb. Turns out the development of all the local shopping centers etc was pushing the system beyond its limits. (earth stakes at the substation were about to burn through as well if I remember right) The cure/upgrade consisted of; replacing pole transformers, replacing underground hv (40kv and 22kv) cables all the way back to the sub station (this has burnt through and been re jointed 3 or so times since we've been here), some overhead cables, I believe substation upgrades, and in the last few years they've been doing new poles and also replacing the pole to house lead ins. Sadly they've replaced what was copper with cca (copper clad aluminium). Looks more impressive (much larger) and no doubt a higher capacity, But we all know aluminium cables can't be good for hi fi. ha ha ???? I'm not going to be cynical here, but Australia USED to be 240v +5% -10% (limits from memory). The 'standards' have now been dropped to 230v with the same % variation. Supposedly this is to make us 'european compliant'. Has nothing to with a sagging infrastructure that will cost billions to bring back to spec............................. Guess that means our actual 240 now is on the high side. Me, Cynical, Naaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhh :nana
Freedom Posted August 17, 2014 Posted August 17, 2014 Dont take this the wrong way DVpusher, if you didn't make these comments some else will. I have worked with some of the most highly qualified engineers and some have Electronics Engineer qualifications, some just have no confidence in using a MM or have used the wrong settings. They don't take safety precautions and blow things up during measurements. I have witness some one who was that confident in wiring 3 phase up and actually got it wrong and tripped the building c/b. so yeah telling someone who you don't know on a forum like this that it's pretty hard to electrocute yourself worries me and is not the sort discussion to engage confidence in. Just remember everyone is different and we do thing differently. Too true pcan! After reading some of the threads concerning 'mains' power, I am worried for the well being of those who are 'dabbling'! It seems there are quite a few 'audiophiles' who are very 'intelligent' people, BUT too intelligent for their own good when it comes to 'mains' power! It's one thing to dabble in a component in terms of 'modding' etc, but entirely another thing to DIY on anything 240volt! Gaining knowledge on forums and having a go yourself could result in severe consequences!
Green Wagon Posted August 17, 2014 Posted August 17, 2014 (edited) Two things, first I can hear the voltage regulator on my amps engaging. This should only happen when I'm driving them really hard. Second, I can hear the amps humming, hence the question about DC This doesn't happen all the time, so I suspect it's only at certain times of the day or when there's some other load on the circuits. What amplifiers ? Certainly sounds like low voltage, maybe that could explain the humming too. I seem to remember seeing a lot of reports about Victoria's infrastructure failing all over the place due to its age. That include the sewer lines that I believe are still the original clay pipes from 1800. EDIT, HA, speak of the devil, their actually replacing the power pole on the other side of the our street right now, yes, on a sunday.... Edited August 17, 2014 by green wagon
Volunteer sir sanders zingmore Posted August 17, 2014 Author Volunteer Posted August 17, 2014 What amplifiers ? Certainly sounds like low voltage, maybe that could explain the humming too. I seem to remember seeing a lot of reports about Victoria's infrastructure failing all over the place due to its age. That include the sewer lines that I believe are still the original clay pipes from 1800. Sanders Magtechs http://www.sanderssoundsystems.com/products/amplifiers/magtech-amp
Milo Posted August 17, 2014 Posted August 17, 2014 For simple monitoring of voltage I recommend one of these, a CowKing LED AC Power Indicator. Just plug into your wall socket. Works for me. Large LED indicators, easy to see from across the room and instantly know the voltage and observe fluctuations. Looks cool in your system too. Sound Reference in Melbourne stock them and will post them out. About $100 from memory, better check that. Sound Reference's contact details are: Melbourne Victoria 38a Johnston St Fitzroy VIC 3065 Phone: +61 3 9495 6500 2
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