Service voltage regulator

[hillbilly1]

Has anybody had experience with these new "service" voltage regulators? They install in series between the main and the building load and are supposed to maintain a relatively steady 118 volts on a 120/208 wye service. The manufacture claims that power is saved due to equipment is designed to work at peak efficiency at this voltage. The cabinets are not big enough to be a transformer, so I figure maybe a choke coil, capacitor or maybe a SCR to regulate the voltage. The installs I have seen are pretty rough, must not be inspected. One phase each goes into a cabinet for that phase then returns in the same conduit back to main. They are using a 5-6' nema 3R wireway mounted vertically (not real raintight), with a LB coming from the wireway into the top of main disconnect without a myers hub. (oh yea, this is all outside on the back of the building)

 

[Buck Parrish]

IMO
This could be one of those "snake oil" types of equipment.

It seems redundant.

 

[hillbilly1]

They apparently have sold some fairly large businesses on it, we are quoting some installs, but doubt we will get any from the cheap looking installs I've seen. Their web site shows a scope meter reading with smoother power on it, but it's kinda hard to believe that the amount of power saved, if any would justify the cost. They retrofit 400-600 amp services.

 

[Buck Parrish]

What is the web site?

 

[hillbilly1]

I don't remember it, I was called in to the office to look at it for possible code problems and wiring issues last week before we quoted it. I'll see if I can dig it up.