How do i calculate what type and VA reading i need for my stabilizer?

[Hassan Janjua]

My options are these https://www.czone.com.pk/searchresult.aspx?pt=249 , they don't mention watts only VA, also can i connect multiple devices like my xbox, tv and laptop in to one stabilizer provided the stabilizer is a high enough VA. Also the site says pure sine wave and response time, is +/-3 better then +/-5 for pcs and consoles so they don't shut off, already have a ups connection for house (sadly desi one) so i'm hoping the stabilizer doesn't turn stuff one and off when light goes and connection switches to ups

 

[Hassan Janjua]

are all stabilizers pure sine wave, is that even a thing to look up?

 

[v9sp]

Usually stabilizers are pure sine wave as they only "clean" the outlet power being supplied.

There are a number of stabilizers (or voltage regulators) - the ones available in Pakistan are the Relay type, Switching type (which use chips (MOFSETs) to do voltage regulation) and Servo motor (linear) type.

Relay type: Uses a transformer and uses relays to give a range of "appropriate" voltages based on input voltage range. The relay switch can "dirty" the electricity being supplied and is used for low-sensitivity applications like Fridges and Deep-Freezers. Are available quite cheaply (upto 10k)

Switch Type: uses MOFSETs. Are relatively expensive (3000VA can cost upto 10-15k) but as per personal experience, due to the "quality" of the circuits in these models, they are risky as they are not built with protective mechanisms in mind

Servo type: uses a transformer with a motorized arm shaft that is engaged to output constant voltage. These are the best available in the market and are very expensive nowadays and are most suited to sensitive electronics)

Stabilizer capacity is essentially determined by how much current it can supply.
VA is essentially voltage x amperes, and Power (measured in Watts) = V x A x PF. Power factor essentially represents the efficiency of a particular circuit - you can assume 0.8 since that is typical.
To calculate the appropriate VA for the stabilizer, multiply your appilance's input voltage (i.e 220V) into the max Amps that appliance takes (check the power-plug or adapter, it should mention it) and multiply by 0.8. Do this for all electronics you will plug into the stabilizer and you'll get your requirement (you can connect an extension cord to it). Keep in mind future expansion and always over-size your VA capacity vs. your actual requirement.

I have personally gotten the following model for my PC: Stabimatic SXD-2000C 2000VA AVR Stabilizer

 

[v9sp]

Also the site says pure sine wave and response time, is +/-3 better then +/-5 for pcs and consoles so they don't shut off, already have a ups connection for house (sadly desi one) so i'm hoping the stabilizer doesn't turn stuff one and off when light goes and connection switches to ups

The lower the response time, the better. However, the thing that determines whether your electronics switch off during UPS switching is your UPS and not the stabilizer. Your UPS should have a switching time of +/-5, otherwise your electronics will switch off.

Moreover, your UPS should only be used for sensitive electronics if it outputs Pure sine-wave. In my experience, desi UPS's and cheap inverters (homage, etc) are not pure sine-wave and WILL fuck your electronics. Simtek, Cyberpower and Stabimatic provide pure sine-wave UPS's.

 

[murtaza12]

Usually stabilizers are pure sine wave as they only "clean" the outlet power being supplied.

There are a number of stabilizers (or voltage regulators) - the ones available in Pakistan are the Relay type, Switching type (which use chips (MOFSETs) to do voltage regulation) and Servo motor (linear) type.

Relay type: Uses a transformer and uses relays to give a range of "appropriate" voltages based on input voltage range. The relay switch can "dirty" the electricity being supplied and is used for low-sensitivity applications like Fridges and Deep-Freezers. Are available quite cheaply (upto 10k)

Switch Type: uses MOFSETs. Are relatively expensive (3000VA can cost upto 10-15k) but as per personal experience, due to the "quality" of the circuits in these models, they are risky as they are not built with protective mechanisms in mind

Servo type: uses a transformer with a motorized arm shaft that is engaged to output constant voltage. These are the best available in the market and are very expensive nowadays and are most suited to sensitive electronics)

Stabilizer capacity is essentially determined by how much current it can supply.
VA is essentially voltage x amperes, and Power (measured in Watts) = V x A x PF. Power factor essentially represents the efficiency of a particular circuit - you can assume 0.8 since that is typical.
To calculate the appropriate VA for the stabilizer, multiply your appilance's input voltage (i.e 220V) into the max Amps that appliance takes (check the power-plug or adapter, it should mention it) and multiply by 0.8. Do this for all electronics you will plug into the stabilizer and you'll get your requirement (you can connect an extension cord to it). Keep in mind future expansion and always over-size your VA capacity vs. your actual requirement.

I have personally gotten the following model for my PC: Stabimatic SXD-2000C 2000VA AVR Stabilizer

Did you buy it from Czone? If so, how long did they take to deliver? Cause the product says 'On Order only' and many sites that say that will end up asking for advance payment and then it's your job to follow up with them every day asking where the product is.

 

[v9sp]

Did you buy it from Czone? If so, how long did they take to deliver? Cause the product says 'On Order only' and many sites that say that will end up asking for advance payment and then it's your job to follow up with them every day asking where the product is.

Nope.

Went to regal market and surveyed the shops. Eventually found myself at Odeon Centre within the market. Bought it from AROSE POWER (shop G-67). Paid an advance and waited while they procured it from warehouse. Bought a 5KVA servo stabilizer from them a few months later too (cost me 59k with a multisocket plug (5 KVA only has direct wire connection option)).

Phone: 021-32745925 / 0343-3212623

 

[murtaza12]

Nope.

Went to regal market and surveyed the shops. Eventually found myself at Odeon Centre within the market. Bought it from AROSE POWER (shop G-67). Paid an advance and waited while they procured it from warehouse. Bought a 5KVA servo stabilizer from them a few months later too (cost me 59k with a multisocket plug (5 KVA only has direct wire connection option)).

Phone: 021-32745925 / 0343-3212623

Islamabad is crap for things like this, I've tried looking but every shop just has the desi stabilizers you referred to earlier or they'll have a pure sine-wave one but the really small models (500 or 1000 VA max).

I ended up calling Czone yesterday and asking how quickly they could arrange the 2000VA Stabimatic, and they surprisingly managed to get it fairly quickly. Already got my TCS tracking number, so now it's on them to deliver it, but no idea when that'll happen cause of the holidays in this coming week.

Another question I had, are these safe to use in long periods of low / fluctuating voltage?

I'll be using the 2000VA one at home where I occasionally see drops as low as 200-205V, but it's generally consistent so I'm not too concerned about that.

However, in rural areas the voltage is terrible, especially in the summers, hovering around 170-190V. If one were to get a large stabilizer, say 5 or 10 KVA, would it be able to output 220+ consistently if kept on 24x7 or would this shorten the life of the stabilizer?