energy saving device !

[ishaan]

we used to have some ads for those energy saving object , just plug it in any socket near the electric box and it will make sure less electricity is consumed , it was never from a reputed company , so cannot name any nor i remember .
does that shit work , or its a scam ?

 

[IBFUser]

AFAIK, it's SCAM

 

[Nishant]

http://electrical-engineering-portal.com/the-real-truth-behind-household-power-savers

 

[bhojv74]

Depends. Most devices that came really works to bring your power factor closer to 1, say .9
With electrical motors, like the fridge, specially and older one can have a PF (power factor) of anywhere between .5 to .8 and the electrical supply charges you extra for running such inefficient devices. How they calculate this extra charge is complicated, but for simplicity you can assume that you units will be increased by the difference in .9 and .8 (actual PF reported by your meter). So .1/.9 X your units is the extra that will be added.
Why these devices did not work for us is because in India the energy suppliers are still not charging residences based on PF, it is only for commercial and industrial meters.
Having said all of that, there may be some unbranded devices which are really a scam.

 

[rsatbf]

Depends. Most devices that came really works to bring your power factor closer to 1, say .9
With electrical motors, like the fridge, specially and older one can have a PF (power factor) of anywhere between .5 to .8 and the electrical supply charges you extra for running such inefficient devices. How they calculate this extra charge is complicated, but for simplicity you can assume that you units will be increased by the difference in .9 and .8 (actual PF reported by your meter). So .1/.9 X your units is the extra that will be added.
Why these devices did not work for us is because in India the energy suppliers are still not charging residences based on PF, it is only for commercial and industrial meters.
Having said all of that, there may be some unbranded devices which are really a scam.

Is there anyway to determine PF of current devices one owns? I thought it was something to do with capacitive loads, dont know how the meter will determine if the PF of the household is not upto the mark?

 

[bhojv74]

Google Meco Powerguard, models PG09H, PG09.

 

[rsatbf]

Google Meco Powerguard, models PG09H, PG09.

Thats nice, didnt know this is available in the indian market now. Any idea on the cost?
I have a similar one from the UK
http://www.maplin.co.uk/plug-in-mains-power-and-energy-monitor-38343
I never realized it does PF too. I will check my devices today. I had bought them to monitor power usage of various electronic devices out of curiosity.

 

[bhojv74]

I have a UK make from efergy, somehow i find it does now show me correct figures so never used it more than a month or two. Check PF figures from your refrigerator, you would be surprised. The meco ones are available around 2k to 2.5k I think.

 

[rsatbf]

I did check power utilization of my fridges and noticed they consume about .4 of a unit over a period of 12 hours. Never thought to check the PF at that time. Will do.

 

[bhojv74]

I did check power utilization of my fridges and noticed they consume about .4 of a unit over a period of 12 hours. Never thought to check the PF at that time. Will do.
I assume you plugged it in for only 12 hrs?How many litres and make is it?