Is 133 volts too high?

[redmanjp]

I have a Kill a Watt device plugged in to a surge protector- tonight i noticed the voltage was 132-133V. Is this within a safe range or is it too high? I also measured the voltage in another power strip and got the same thing.

[Daran]

Depends on what you're plugging in, but that is certainly too high and can be dangerous (over time) for some devices.

Most electronic devices would be fine as they can support large voltage ranges. But more analog type devices say a Stove, refrigerator or pump can be damaged at that voltage.

TTEC's output is supposed to be 115V at 5% tolerance.

[hydroep]

Check the voltage with another meter to make sure the Kill-A-Watt's reading isn't off.

[kamakazi]

That would appear to be normal... Based on my APC UPS... The lowest value you can set before it is considered over voltage is 137. IIRC

[88sins]

Depends on what you're plugging in, but that is certainly too high and can be dangerous (over time) for some devices.

Most electronic devices would be fine as they can support large voltage ranges. But more analog type devices say a Stove, refrigerator or pump can be damaged at that voltage.

TTEC's output is supposed to be 115V at 5% tolerance.

all correct, up to that last point. supposed to be 110v and within a +/-5% tolerance. So max voltage should be about 115v, (I've seen many outlets putting out 120-125V, that still falls within the acceptable range) min about 105v.

use a meter, & check the voltage from the outlet first to confirm that's the outlet's actual output & not an issue with the device reading the voltage. If it's the same, something's wrong with your wiring circuitry, excess current leaking into the circuit from somewhere.

[viedcht]

^ just asking; would a 'surge breaker' help with the fluctuations?

[kavaninho]

nope, a regulator is needed to perform that

[info-maniac]

There are two ways to measure AC voltage. Peak, and RMS, meaning Root Mean Square.

THE normal method most commonly used is the RMS method that normal gives the 120 volt figure. However, the actual AC sine wave goes to peak values of 1.44 times the RMS value. What you need to do is Google these terms, and check the documentation of your measurement device to determine which measurement system it uses.

Then check the documentation of the device being powered to determine its tolerances and then you would know for sure if it is within its normal operating range.

I didn't read the previous posts, just offering my two cents. I design and build my own electronics so I kinda know what I'm talking about

[Daran]

There are two ways to measure AC voltage. Peak, and RMS, meaning Root Mean Square.

THE normal method most commonly used is the RMS method that normal gives the 120 volt figure. However, the actual AC sine wave goes to peak values of 1.44 times the RMS value. What you need to do is Google these terms, and check the documentation of your measurement device to determine which measurement system it uses.

Then check the documentation of the device being powered to determine its tolerances and then you would know for sure if it is within its normal operating range.

I didn't read the previous posts, just offering my two cents. I design and build my own electronics so I kinda know what I'm talking about

You're 100% right and I do think all meters by default report AC voltage as RMS. Although I've seen many meters have an AC peak setting.

Also 88sins is right, it is 110v not 115v, my bad.

[gastly369]

I have a Kill a Watt device plugged in to a surge protector- tonight i noticed the voltage was 132-133V. Is this within a safe range or is it too high? I also measured the voltage in another power strip and got the same thing.

What area?

[Ronaldo95163]

Almost Every AC voltage measurement is always RMS voltage. Hardly likely you'd use peak or peak-peak voltage. Atleast I never came across it.
Alternating Current is also measured as RMS as well.

Not sure about the 133V rating as i'm not familiar with the regulations etc...
But if you were to probe an outlet with a voltmeter you'd get somewhere between 110V-120V RMS

Think the largest I saw was 117V RMS

[nervewrecker]

Is that voltage on load?

[kamakazi]

My mistake... My UPS overvoltage threshold starts from 127 an goes up to 139.

[redmanjp]

I have a Kill a Watt device plugged in to a surge protector- tonight i noticed the voltage was 132-133V. Is this within a safe range or is it too high? I also measured the voltage in another power strip and got the same thing.

What area?

Cleaver Heights Arima

[redmanjp]

Is that voltage on load?

the kill a watt device didn't have anything plugged into it, it is plugged into a surge protector which does have other things plugged into it.

I'm now noticing the watts reading 1.7 even though nothing's plugged into it though- so perhaps something may be wrong with it

[redmanjp]

I tested the same outlet with a millimetre and got 115V so that kill a watt look like it playing up

[88sins]

I tested the same outlet with a millimetre and got 115V so that kill a watt look like it playing up

thought so. those types of devices aren't really necessary, oftentimes they are more of a headache than helpful.
If you're really concerned about protecting your appliances while monitoring your power usage, get a good ups battery backup & it's all you'll need. Every few years you'll need to change the battery, but batteries are like $100-$150 or so. So your appliances will be protected against surges & to a degree outages, and they more reliable than those devices. The good ones with a digital display can tell you your current voltage, amperage & draw, and a few other things.That's what I did in my home after a T&TEC power surge damaged a couple appliances, never had a worry since.



As a bonus, if current cuts out I could still watch tv for a couple minutes if the show going good, or use the pc for a while or or charge my phone.

[kamakazi]

I advise against using affordable UPS devices for long periods. Cheaper units aren't capable of supplying a proper Sine wave to the electrical device. They were designed to safely shut off the device in the event of a power outage

[88sins]

True, to a point. but thats why I said get a good one.
Cheap ones good for units with low power requirements like a pc tower or phone. The higher quality ones can run the bigger appliances like the fridge & freezer just fine. In an outage, the appliance will shut down safely, & when power is restored, restart safely.

[urbandilema]

Depends on what you're plugging in, but that is certainly too high and can be dangerous (over time) for some devices.

Most electronic devices would be fine as they can support large voltage ranges. But more analog type devices say a Stove, refrigerator or pump can be damaged at that voltage.

TTEC's output is supposed to be 115V at 5% tolerance.

I go correct you if u don't mind it's 6 percent not 5

Plus or minus 6 percent of the declared nominal voltage

[RBphoto]

Too high.

[ruffneck_12]

too high, check the outlet with a multimeter to see if its the outlet.... then check the kilawat in another house to see if it's the killawatt that's faulty

[Duane 3NE 2NR]

This is great for TV, gaming and audio equipment. It regulates and cleans the power.

http://www.panamax.com/product/max-5400 ... s-M5400-PM

[fireworks]

Is 95 volts too low?

Took that picture of my UPS last night in Los Bajos couldn't believe it.

[nervewrecker]

Your neutral connection good?
Last I saw that kind of voltage a tree had fallen and burst out the neutral a few pole spans up.