Power
The maximum active load power allowed for this model.
Active power is the power that in AC appliances is spent on useful work or on heat generation. In addition to it, such devices also consume reactive power — it goes to the operation of specific components, primarily capacitors and inductors. Apparent power, denoted in volt-amperes (kilovolt-amperes), is the sum of active and reactive, see below about it. Here we note that in simple everyday situations, there is enough data on active power indicated in watts for calculations. In particular, it is this parameter that is considered the key when choosing stabilizers
for washing machines and
dishwashers : in the first case, power from 2 to 5 kW is considered optimal, in the second — from 1.8 to 2.5 kW.
Anyway, the total active power of the connected load should not exceed the figures indicated in the characteristics of the stabilizer. For a full guarantee, it's ok to take a certain margin, but this margin should not be too large — an increase in the allowable power significantly affects the dimensions, weight and price of the device. Also note that there are formulas that allow you to convert the active power consumption into total power, taking into account the type of connected electrical appliance; these formulas can be found in special sources.
Output voltage accuracy (±)
The largest deviation from the nominal output voltage (230 V or 400 V, depending on the number of phases), which the regulator allows when operating in the normal input voltage range (see above). The smaller this deviation, the more efficiently the device works, the more accurately it adapts to “changes in the situation” and the less voltage fluctuations the connected load is exposed to.
When choosing for this parameter, it is worth considering first of all how demanding the connected devices are for voltage stability. On the one hand, high stability is good for any device, on the other hand, it usually means a high price. Accordingly, it usually does not make sense to buy an advanced stabilizer for an unpretentious load like light bulbs and heaters, but for sensitive devices like audio systems or computers, it can be very useful.
Response time
The rate at which the regulator responds to changes in input voltage. It is determined by the time that passes from the moment of a power surge until the moment when the device fully adjusts to the new parameters and the output current corresponds to the standard 230 or 400 V (depending on the number of phases, see above). Accordingly, the shorter the response time, the better the stabilizer works, the lower the likelihood that a power surge will significantly affect the connected equipment. On the other hand, not all types of electrical appliances are sensitive to speed — for some, smooth adjustment or voltage accuracy is more important (see above); and the high speed itself can significantly affect the price of the device. Therefore, when choosing by this parameter, it makes sense to consider which devices are planned to be connected through the stabilizer.
Efficiency
The efficiency of the stabilizer is the ratio, expressed as a percentage, between the amount of electricity at the output of the device to the amount of energy at the input. In other words, efficiency describes how much of the energy received from the network the device transfers to the connected load without loss. And losses during operation will be inevitable — firstly, not a single transformer is perfect, and secondly, the control circuits of the stabilizer also require a certain amount of energy to work. At the same time, all these costs are quite small, and even in relatively simple modern models, the efficiency can reach 97-98%.
Grounded sockets
The number of
sockets for 230 V with grounding provided in the design of the stabilizer.
Some electrical appliances, such as refrigerators and washing/dishwashers, must be grounded when connected. This point should not be ignored — there is a risk of a serious electric shock. Accordingly, the number of sockets with grounding corresponds to the maximum number of such devices that can be simultaneously connected to the stabilizer without the use of splitters. At the same time, ungrounded devices can also be connected to such sockets.
Protection
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From overheating. Protection that prevents the critical temperature rise of individual components of the stabilizer - for example, in case of overload, short circuit or failure in the cooling system. When a certain temperature value is exceeded, it turns off the device in order to avoid breakdowns and fires. Such systems are especially important for semiconductor types of stabilizers - thyristor and
triac(see above). And in some models, this function can be supplemented by a temperature increase signal - it works at a temperature close to critical.
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From high-frequency interference. This protection dampens incoming high-frequency interference, preventing them from affecting the operation of devices connected to the stabilizer. Such interference can occur, for example, from electric motors, welding machines, etc. So, in audio systems, high-frequency distortion causes an unpleasant background from the speakers. RFI protection filters out these distortions, providing a smooth sine wave output.
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Against short circuit. A system that protects the stabilizer in the event of short circuits in the connected load. A short circuit is a situation when the resistance in the circuit becomes close to zero; this leads to a sharp increase in current strength, overloads the power grid and the stabilizer itself, and also
...creates a risk of breakdown or even fire. In order to avoid unpleasant consequences, appropriate protection is provided: it disconnects the load in case of a significant excess of the current in it. This feature is almost mandatory in modern stabilizers.
- From overload. Safety system in case of stabilizer overload - that is, a situation when the total power of the connected load becomes greater than the corresponding indicators of the device itself (see "Power"). The reason for this situation may be, for example, the inclusion of an additional consumer or a change in the operating mode of one of the existing ones. Unlike the short circuit described above, when overloaded, all electrical appliances work normally, the stabilizer itself is abnormal, which can lead to its failure or even fire. To avoid this, overload protection is applied. Its specific implementation may be different. In some models, the load is turned off immediately, in others - after a certain time after the warning signal, which gives the user the opportunity to reduce power consumption and avoid system tripping.
- From over / under voltage. A system that protects the device from too low or too high input voltage. A significant overshoot of the input voltage range (see above) is dangerous not only by the risk of damage to the stabilizer itself: under such conditions, the device’s capabilities are not enough to fully protect the connected load, which can result in trouble for it. And this function prevents such consequences: if the input voltage goes beyond the permissible values (they may be wider than the operating values, see “Input voltage range”), the stabilizer is disconnected from the network. At the same time, some of its functions may remain operational - for example, a voltmeter that allows you to assess the "state of affairs" in the network at the input. And in some models there is a function to automatically turn on when the voltage returns to operating limits.IP protection rating
The degree of protection of the internal components of the stabilizer from various undesirable influences from the outside — first of all, from the ingress of moisture and foreign objects. The IP (ingress protection) standard is used to describe the protection provided by an enclosure.
In marking according to this standard, two digits are usually used — for example, IP54. The first digit describes the degree of protection against various solid objects (up to and including sand and dust). Its specific meanings may be as follows:
1 — protection against objects measuring 50 mm or more (for comparison: the average male fist will no longer pass even through the largest hole in such a case).
2 — from objects with a size of 12.5 mm or more (comparable to the thickness of a finger on a hand).
3 — from objects with a size of 2.5 mm or more (we can talk about protection against accidental contact with most standard tools).
4 — from objects with a size of 1 mm or more (for example, most wires).
5 — medium degree of protection against dust (it is allowed to get inside a certain amount of dust that does not affect the operation of the device).
6 — the maximum degree of protection against dust (its ingress is practically excluded).
The second digit, respectively, describes the resistance to moisture:
1 — minimum degree of protection — the device, placed in the working position, is resistant to individual drops falling vertica...lly on it.
2 — vertical drops are allowed when the device deviates from the working position by less than 15 °.
3 — splashes flying at an angle of up to 60 ° from the vertical are allowed; rain protection.
4 — resistance to splashes from any direction; wind and rain protection.
5 — resistance to water jets; protection from heavy rains, storms.
6 — short-term ingress of large volumes of water is allowed — for example, when a wave hits.
7 — the possibility of short-term immersion under water to a shallow depth (up to 1 m).
8 — the ability to work at a depth of 1 m and for a longer time.
One of the numbers can be replaced by the letter X — this usually means that the device does not have official certification in the corresponding direction of protection. In some cases, this suggests that there is no such protection at all — for example, the IP2X case is most likely not designed for any water ingress at all. However, it can be the other way around — for example, IPX7: a housing with the ability to submerge under water will certainly be well protected from dust, even if this is not officially announced.
Of course, it is worth choosing an option for this parameter, first of all, taking into account the expected operating conditions: for example, for a dry utility room, water protection is useless (it will only cost extra money), but in a damp basement, such a case can be very out of place. However, note that no protection provides absolute guarantees and does not eliminate the need to comply with safety rules.
