How to Check Voltage Fluctuation at Home - And What to Do About It

There are some common voltage fluctuation problems you may see at your home, like tripping of the AC, your fridge making a weird sound, lights dimming automatically, etc.

During peak summer, many Indian homes face an unstable power supply. In India, a safe voltage range is between 220V and 240V. When the supply of electricity moves beyond or below this range, then appliances may get damaged. 

Amekra VoltMap helps the owners of Indian homes to calculate the condition of the voltage in their state within a couple of seconds. It provides quick information before buying a stabilizer for their home. 

Now, firstly, let’s just understand what voltage fluctuation is.

What Is Voltage Fluctuation at Home?

Voltage fluctuation means the constant fluctuation of the supply of electricity. Sometimes it can rise or fall beyond the safe level, which is dangerous. Indian homes normally receive a 220-240V supply of power. 

For example, you can think of voltage power like a water pressure in a pipe. Low pressure in the pipe reduces the flow, while high pressure damages the pipe. Electricity almost behaves like this. 

If the voltage drops below or rises outside the given range, it is not safe for the appliances, as they can overheat or may struggle to work. 

• High-voltage risk: High voltage can cause overheat to the appliances.
• Low voltage risk: Lower voltage can cause the motor to run poorly and consume more power.
• Frequent fluctuation risk: Frequent fluctuation can reduce the life of the appliance.

Signs of Voltage Fluctuation at Home:

These voltage fluctuation signs often appear before damage to the appliance. 

• Flickering lights: The lights become dim automatically and even blink repeatedly.
• AC compressor tripping: The AC shuts down frequently during operation, and it damages the compressor. 
• Fridge making unusual sounds: The fridge makes an unusual sound, and its compressor runs harder.
• TV switching off: The TV automatically gets restarted due to unstable voltage.
• Burning smell from switchboard: Excessive heat develops because of fluctuation.
• Appliances heat faster: All the appliances, like motors and circuit boards, get heat quickly. 

If you see these signs appearing together, then the home may have unstable voltage.

How to Check Voltage Fluctuation at Home

The following are the three easy steps to check the level of voltage of your home.

Method 1: Use a Digital Multimeter-

1. Set the multimeter to the AC voltage mode.
2. Insert the black probe into neutral.
3. Insert the red probe into the live socket.
4. Read the displayed voltage.
5. A reading between 220V and 240V is considered normal.
6. Below 200V or above 250V indicates a problem.
7. Check multiple sockets in different rooms.

Method 2- Use Amekra VoltMap

1. Select your state.
2. Click the voltage check option.
3. View your area's average voltage range.

No tools or an electrician are needed. Simply select your state and know the situation in seconds.

This method is useful for customers who want to purchase a stabiliser.

Method 3 -Watch Your Appliances

• Tripping of the AC generally indicates low voltage.
• The motor of the fridge is running continuously, indicating high voltage.
• Flickering of lights shows voltage fluctuation.
• MCB tripping continuously may indicate an overload.

These common signs indicate a problem but do not show the exact voltage. You can use a multimeter or VoltMap to confirm. 

3 Ways to Check Voltage Fluctuation at Home 

You can check voltage fluctuation using the following table:

Common Causes of Voltage Fluctuation in Indian Homes

Common causes of voltage fluctuation in Indian Homes are as follows:

• Overloaded power during summer.
• Old or damaged wiring.
• Switching on or off large appliances repeatedly.
• Industrial areas creating heavy loads on electricity.
• Rainy weather can affect the power supply lines.
• Fitting of wires of poor quality.

How to Protect Your Home from Voltage Fluctuation

Protecting appliances is easier than replacing them.

• Install a stabilizer for your AC or refrigerator.
• Get your wiring checked by a licensed electrician.
• Use MCB and ELCB protection devices.

You can protect your appliances easily rather than replacing them with new ones. By protecting, you can save high costs. Here are some common ways to protect your appliances.

• Install a stabilizer for big appliances like an AC or a refrigerator. 
• You should have your home wiring checked by a professional electrician.
• You should use an MCB or an ELCB protection device. 

If the VoltMap is showing voltage below 200V or above 270V, then you should purchase a stabilizer for your home appliances.

You can use the Amekra LoadLogic calculator as it determines the correct size of the stabilizer.

You should choose an AC stabilizer for your AC’s and a refrigerator stabilizer for your kitchen appliances. 

Conclusion:

Voltage fluctuation can reduce the life of the appliance and can increase the cost of repair. Monitoring voltage regularly can help protect your home. Amekra voltmap helps in understanding the voltage condition of your area in a simple way. If it shows a requirement for a Stabilizer, then install it with the help of an electrician. 

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q1. How do I check voltage fluctuation at home without an electrician?

You can check the voltage fluctuation at home without an electrician by using a digital multimeter or Amekra VoltMap. Both of these methods will provide you with useful information. VoltMap offers you a quick state-level check without the help of tools.

Q2. What is the normal voltage supply in Indian homes?

The normal/standard voltage supply in India is between 220-240V. This range is considered safe for home appliances.

Q3. What are the signs of voltage fluctuation at home?

The Common signs of voltage fluctuation include flickering of lights, AC tripping, unusual sounds of the fridge, and TV shutdowns. These signs should not be ignored.

Q4. Can voltage fluctuation damage my AC or refrigerator?

Yes, frequent voltage fluctuation can damage your AC compressor and the motor of your refrigerator. It is important to install a stabilizer to protect these expensive electrical appliances.

Q5. How does Amekra VoltMap help me check voltage?

VoltMap will help you by providing voltage information for your state. Users can select their state and view average voltage conditions instantly. 

Q6. When do I need a voltage stabilizer at home?

You need a voltage stabilizer when the voltage regularly falls below 200V or rises above 250V. Stabilizer benefits the appliances, such as ACs and refrigerators, the most.