How does it work?
Power Saver monitors line voltage and current. On application of power to lighting, full mains voltage is provided to the load. A pre-set time delay allows correct starting and stabilisation of lights, whereafter the supply voltage to the load is reduced using an autotransformer. Voltage is reduced by around 14%
Load current is monitored, and when an increase is detected through switching on of additional bank of lamps, full mains supply is restored in milliseconds for the delay period to permit the correct striking of lamps. This we call 'downline switching'.
What does it do to the sine wave?
Voltage sine wave is not distorted or “chopped” in any way as Power Saver does not use Thyristors. The sinusoidal curve is maintained without shift and only the wave amplitude is reduced to lower the voltage level. This is achived by using a hand-wound autotransformer to modify the output waveform, which after conditioning is cleaner providing less lamp ‘flicker’.
What makes it different to other units?
In one word: reliability. Power Saver is unique and does not use the 'Phase Switching' technique employed by other manufacturers such as NCON whose units are marketed variously as the 'Smart Power Controller' or SPC, 'Your Efficiency Solution' or 'YES box', 'Electronic Energy Efficiency' or E3, 'Smart Lighting Controller' or SLC. Other products using 'phase switching’ techniques include Ilumalite, Powersave, ECS, and Clipsal to name a few. Power Saver is unique and does not use ‘phase switching’, and there is no other device on the market like Power Saver that we are aware of.
Power Saver has very few switching components. Relays switch the autotransformer in and out of circuit to achieve power savings and this switching may only happen a few times during the course of the day. On the other hand, phase switching units will typically switch 100 times per second in line with the 50 Hz AC current. This rapid switching must happen within milliseconds to the units to be effective, and when coupled with 100 switches per second means the circuitry is under a lot of strain and can be more likely to fail.
Power Saver is the only voltage reduction unit on the market with a five year warrantee. A high standard of build quality, coupled with the low rates of switching described above, means that the manufacturer is able to stand behind their product for more than twice the warrantee period of comparable units.
What happens when additional circuits are turned on and off?
Nothing changes when part of the load is switched off. When an additional bank of lamps is switched on normal mains supply is applied to all loads for the preset delay period, then energy save mode is automatically resumed.
How are sub circuits connected?
Using circuit breakers on a din rail built into the Power Saver enclosure, which in turn draws it’s supply from the main board. The sub-board configuration is flexible and external lighting sub distribution boards can be utilised where appropriate.
Is a sub-distribution board necessary?
No. Power Saver provides a flexible output din rail chassis for circuit breaker configuration for the load circuit connections and Sub Board redistribution of lighting loads.
What happens to the circuit numbering?
Nothing need change. The original configuration is mirrored in the Power Saver box.
How does the bypass work?
In the unlikely case of a malfunction the bypass will return normal current to the lighting load, allowing time for a service technician to attend to any fault. There are no energy savings in bypass mode. The bypass also allows power savings to be verified using metering.
What about Power Factor?
A small improvement in power factor will be achieved in most cases.
What happens in a brown out?
When output voltage falls to below 185 volts Power Saver will switch into bypass mode and allow full supply voltage through to drive the lights. There are no energy savings in bypass mode.
Harmonics, Noise and Flicker
No additional harmonics are generated. Some attenuation of high frequency harmonics will be achieved through the use of transformers.
How is Power Saver installed?
The power saver is installed by any power saver can be installed by any electrical contractor. Contact us for an e-mail with installation manual, parts list, and suggestions on how to install power saver.
Further Questions
For any further technical questions please contact us on
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or via the web at www.powersaver.net.au
Phone within Australia 03 9563 3300 or 0419 334 969 Fax 03 9563 3300
From outside Australia phone +61 3 9563 3300 or +61 419 334 969 fax +61 3 9563 3221
