High voltage plug sockets

[Alison]

Recently changed plug sockets and light switches. Have noticed before this was done we were burning through light bulbs.

A few of our plug sockets are high voltage 250 -270.

Any ideas

 

[telectrix]

if the supply voltage is > 253V, it's out of tolerance. contact DNO ( SP Energy, whoever)

 

[Toneyz]

It may not be your next-door neighbour but the house a few doors down that is on the same supply phase as you that has the problem as well.
We were doing a school a few years ago where the emergency light fittings kept on burning out this was due to the voltage at the fittings being 250v+ we contacted the lighting manufacturer who said that the fitting gear was up to 250v so got in touch with Weston Power who altered the windings at the sub-station.

 

[davesparks]

We used a calibrated multi metre for measuring

How recent was the last calibration?
Ideally you would check the test results with another calibrated meter to double check the results.

Anything over 253V is above the normal limits and could indicate a problem, there are certain faults which can cause the voltage to rise at some properties and fall at others which can be very dangerous, you should contact your DNO and report the fault.

One thing which has been known to cause this problem is the theft of the copper N-E from a substation.

 

[Deleted member 105166]

the DNO usually react to potential over and under voltage situations quickly and often install recording equipment at the head for 24-48 hours to confirm.

 

[John Arnold]

Basic voltage in uk is 230 +10%-6%, there will be many plug sockets marked as being able to cope with the old standard 240. No problem they will cope easily with the new lower supply voltage. Test the actual supply voltage then as davesparks ,anthonybragg and TonyMitchell said.

 

[R-fur]

If you are sure you are getting voltage as high as 270V then you must notify the DNO. They are duty bound to do something about it within six months. I advise notifying them by registered mail as I know of cases that have dragged on for years as the date they were notified could not be proven.

 

[Deleted member 105166]

If you are getting 270V, being 40V over nominal and 17V over the maximum permitted voltage, this should be reported by phone to the DNO as a matter of urgency. They will generally treat such as an emergency and send an operative to site to verify within a couple of hours.

An extreme over-voltage will normally be rectified quickly, whereas the more common 'same time of day' over- and under-voltages recurrences can take a week or so, as the DNO will usually log 2 or 3 days' data at the head to take away and analyse, before tapping down/up at the transformer.

@R-fur where does the six months come from?

 

[littlespark]

I wonder if the OP got this sorted. The thread is over 2 months old.

I measured voltage in a house with my multimeter... got 292v !!

Checked again with calibrated tester - 242v....
Had me worried for a minute.

 

[DPG]

I wonder if the OP got this sorted. The thread is over 2 months old.

I measured voltage in a house with my multimeter... got 292v !!

Checked again with calibrated tester - 242v....
Had me worried for a minute.

Must be an ebay multimeter that! Not a 'Flake' is it?

 

[Deleted member 105166]

Must be an ebay multimeter that! Not a 'Flake' is it?

Flake 99 vs Fluke 117
Is there much in it?
They're both yellow...

 

[littlespark]

Flake 99 vs Fluke 117
Is there much in it?
They're both yellow...

A typo and the number 18. That’s the difference.

No, my little multimeter is just a cheap thing from amazon but I’ve had it a good number of years. Digital readout, buzzer continuity tester...
I used it for electronics at college... along with a soldering iron and a little tool kit with screwdrivers and snips.
I keep it in the bottom of the toolbox just for quick continuity tests of fuses, cable identification etc.

 

[R-fur]

TonyMitchell
I understand that the regulator puts the six month time limit on voltage complaints, if the DNO does not fix out of tolerance voltages in that time they can be penalised.
I havent checked this recently but a couple of years ago I got involved with a farmer, his wind turbine would not generate as the farm voltage was too high so he was loosing revenue. I got the customer to send a registered letter and the issue was resolved by adjusting the taps on the transformer. The time limit is more relevant for low voltage complaints as the DNO may have to invest time and money upgrading plant. I know of customers fed by a bit of wet string who have argued for years with the DNO.

 

[dmxtothemax]

Have you tried using high voltage light bulbs ?
They are rated at 250v rather than the usual 240v.
You may have to order them thru an electrical supply house

 

[pc1966]

This thread is a bit old, any new from @Alison about a resolution?

All UK electrical equipment should work, by design, from 216-253V as that is the official range of voltages (230V +10% -6%). Outside of that is probably a fault, certainly out of specification, and the electricity supplier needs to find and fix it.