How to make your own device to save energy. How to save electricity in an apartment: devices for saving electricity, general rules Device that reduces electricity consumption

With the rise in energy prices, in particular for electricity, as well as with an increase in the number of household electrical appliances for everyone connected to the power supply, the consumer has an absolutely logical decision to take measures to save it. There are many ways to save consumed electricity, however, not so long ago a new, as the manufacturer claims, an innovative device appeared that will significantly reduce the consumption of electrical energy both in the apartment and in the house. He's called the economist. What is it, how does this super device work, what does it consist of? And also of interest to everyone, the main question is true or false, that it will help to save money. Before using and buying it, you need to understand in more depth and thoroughly. In this article, the editors of the site will tell you the whole truth about what an energy saver is and what people are cheated on.

What does an economist look like and what does it consist of

This device looks very compact and is completely inexpensive, which, in principle, captivates the consumer, and also encourages him to part with his hard-earned money for the benefit of future huge savings. According to the advertising text on them, the "miracle" device will not only save energy costs, but even somehow be able to protect all electrical appliances plugged into the sockets from thunderstorms and lightning strikes. Below is the most commonly found electricity saving device in stores, which the manufacturer calls the Electricity Saving Box.

There are two LEDs on the front panel, signaling the health of the economy and its readiness to perform the functions assigned to it. It can have several adapters for connecting to sockets of different design, so that it can be more versatile. The design of the energy saver can also have various shapes, rectangular or round, which does not change the essence of its operation.

The technical parameters of the energy saver are indicated on the back:

Model.
Working voltage from 90 to 250 V.
AC frequency in the power grid, 50 Hz-60 Hz.
The maximum load power at which it is effective is 15,000 W, that is, 15 kW.
Serial number.

Some of the copies are designed for rather heavy loads, which should first of all alert the buyer, sometimes there are such models that the power is indicated even up to 40 kW. With such a power, the current should be about 180 A, which is not used in domestic conditions, since the input machines most often have a rated operating current of 25, well, or 63 A maximum. Well, let’s say, let this be the maximum indicator of the economy, and it works at half strength, with a margin of power.

The principle of operation of the device for saving electricity, as advertising resources and the manufacturer, again claim, is based on converting the reactive component into an active component and delivering it to the network, thereby the economist removes the reactive component from the network. Indeed, the power consumed from the network contains both active and reactive components. At large substations of enterprises, so-called reactive power compensators are installed, which is created by large inductive loads. It appears due to the operation of induction motors, transformers and everything that converts electricity into an electromagnetic field. Compensating devices are:

Transversely connected capacitor banks.
Reactors.
Synchronous motors in compensation mode (overexcitation).

This is how reactive power compensators look like, based on a capacitor bank:

However, meters installed at enterprises and distribution substations keep records of both active and reactive components, and at home there are metering elements that only count active energy. Therefore, there is no point in compensating for reactive powers, especially since in household devices it is so insignificant that it is not even worth considering it.

In order to make sure and understand the device of the economy, you will have to disassemble it and see what is inside it, a capacitor compensation battery or a synchronous generator. And here's what's inside:

And here is its diagram:

Several electronic elements such as a capacitor, resistors, LEDs, and a diode assembly for rectifying the mains voltage, and at best its fuse. In fact, this is an electrical circuit for powering LEDs, and nothing more, which not only does not save electricity, but also consumes some, albeit small, very insignificant part of the electricity for the LEDs to glow. Devices connected from the outlet have almost no reactive energy, and as it was written above, the meter does not count it, therefore, the saving effect is zero.

Important! Now we are talking not only about the energy saver Electricity Saving Box, but also about such devices as Econor and Power saver... All of them are divorces, of course there is no real sense in using them, and even more so, saving electrical energy! Under this article, we have provided links to more rational and, moreover, legal ways to pay less for light!

The real test of the economist

Let's move on from theoretical concepts and research to practice. In order to make sure whether the saver saves electricity, that is, it makes the meter spin at the same load more slowly. To do this, there are two practical ways that everyone can try:

Connect any one device to the electrical network and count how many revolutions the counter disk makes if it is electromechanical, and if it is electronic, then how many flashes of the LED, for a certain period of time. On each of the accounting elements, for example, it is indicated that 600 revolutions of the disk correspond to one kilowatt. Well, this is not so important, because you need to carefully calculate the number of revolutions in at least 10 minutes with the device turned on and off to save money.
The second method is more accurate and faster. To do this, you will need any electrical appliance, no matter with what power consumption. This can be done with both a light bulb and a drill, since inside it, in fact, there is an electric motor, which is an inductive load. And an ammeter (digital multimeter) is also needed, since only when electric current flows through the meter, it will keep track of electricity, and the current, in turn, will not appear without connecting the load. We connect the load through a series connected ammeter and turn it on. At the same time, the measuring device will show the current strength in the circuit under study, now we turn on the economy into the outlet, which is as close as possible to the load. If this device, in order to save money, decreases, in some incredible way, the readings of the amperage, then this will be proof that it is effective and really works.

Thus, any model of this device to save electricity, at best, can reduce the reactive component of power in the apartment networks by connecting a capacitor in parallel, but the meters do not count this energy. And even such a capacity will not be enough for at least the slightest compensation for reactive power, and even more so for saving electricity.

So you've decided it's time to start saving. On what, in fact, can you save a little money without harm to your health and appearance? Of course, on the consumption of electricity.

Think for yourself how wasteful we often spend it not only on lighting the premises, but also on heating and ensuring the operation of numerous home appliances. To remedy the situation, you must first of all realize that a wasted light burning and a TV talking to itself is a waste of money. After the realization has come, you need to think about ways to reduce electricity consumption. We present to your attention our list.

Electricity saving devices

Solar panels

Converting and using sunlight is one of the most efficient alternative methods for generating energy. The use of solar panels in everyday life can significantly save on electricity consumption.

The simplest thing is that you can use solar-powered lamps. Of course, the most effective option is to put a solar battery on the window, where a special battery will be charged with the help of the sun, from which you can further power the outlet. But: installing a solar battery, a battery and automating this system is an expensive pleasure. In addition, the housing and communal services system does not allow the widespread use of solar panels in apartment buildings. Therefore, this option for saving electricity is suitable for you if you live in a private house. And further climate is important, in which you live, if there are a lot of cloudy and rainy days in the year, then using solar panels will simply not be rational.

Energy saving

Now a lot of energy saving devices have appeared on the market, for example, this one - Electricity Saving Box . They are plugged into an outlet and energy consumption is reduced. The essence of these devices is quite simple: they work like an uninterruptible power supply, that is, they protect your network from overloads and voltage surges. Indeed, with a voltage drop, quite a lot of electricity is wasted. In addition, the energy saver removes reactive energy unnecessary for your network, which only overloads the network and increases current consumption.

The advantages of this method are that it is legal, unlike the magnets on the counter. And it's easy: the device is small and not expensive. You won't be able to save millions on this, but a couple of hundred is quite possible.

Those who have already tried such devices to save energy say that the benefits, although not huge, are quite tangible. In addition, with use, the service life of various electrical appliances increases, since you essentially protect them from burnout.

LED and eenergy saving lamps

New generation LED lamps consume much less energy than fluorescent lamps, and their usage time is longer. In addition, the LED has another indisputable advantage - the lighting it produces is as close as possible to natural daylight and does not tire the human eye, unlike the yellow light we are used to. Devices with LED lamps do not contain any harmful substances, they are absolutely harmless and safe.

But there is some complexity: many fixtures with LED lamps do not have the ability to change these lamps. Therefore, check this in advance, otherwise after the lamp burns out, the lamp will have to be thrown away.

But with energy-saving lamps, you can really save on electricity. They are quite expensive, on average from 150 rubles, but one energy-saving light bulb can easily replace 30 ordinary bulbs, each of which costs 25 rubles. So you will, at the very least, save that money. Plus, energy-saving bulbs burn brighter and consume less.Energy saving principle consists in the fact that such bulbs almost do not heat up and the energy consumed is spent only on lighting the room. The service life of a quality energy-saving lamp can be up to 3 years.

Therefore, going broke once and putting energy-saving light bulbs everywhere in the house is a good way to save energy.

Motion sensors and light off timers

These smart appliances solve the problem of wasted light burning. The motion sensor can be installed on the porch of the house, in the corridor or in the hallway. This device for saving electricity will automatically respond to the approach of a person, closing the circuit and turning on the light. If there is no movement in the range of the device, the light will be extinguished. Light off timers are programmed for a specific time, and can also react to the absence or presence of daylight.

There are many pluses, minus only in the installation of the structure.

Household appliances class A +

By saving on upgrades to your home appliances, you are increasing your energy bills. The fact is that old household appliances consume much more electricity than modern class A, A +, A ++ appliances.

In the past few months, advertisements have been everywhere on the Internet offering to buy an energy saver. Allegedly, it helps to reduce electricity costs several times. This is a tempting prospect. But are the promises true?

The advertised working principle

And slightly suspicious sites offer to buy a modern energy saver. Reviews on them also say that with the help of the device, buyers began to receive invoices with soums 50% less than before. At the moment when all utility bills tend to grow, such a device becomes simply irreplaceable.

The advertisement says that in order to save money, it is simply enough to plug the device into a free outlet closer to the electricity meter and no longer perform any action with it. He himself will work for your family budget.

The device somehow begins to influence the reactive energy, which is full in the power grid and which significantly increases the level of electricity consumption by household appliances. At this point, the savings that the energy saver provides. Reviews of experts on this matter are not so colorful. They not only have a negative attitude to the device, but also argue this in scientific terms.

Let's remember physics

Even with minimal knowledge from the field of physics, any person will understand that the Econor energy saver and its analogues are complete nonsense, which does not correspond to reality at all.

Let's remember some points. If we take a base and wrap it with insulated wire in several layers, we get an electromagnetic coil. When it passes through it, an electromagnetic field will appear around it, directed away from the coil.

This effect is used in all electric motors in which a moving element is placed in the field of action of the coil. This is how electric drills, hair dryers, and vacuum cleaners work.

But at the moment of interruption of the current, the coil produces the opposite effect, and some reactive charge of energy is returned from it through the conductors. It disappears without a trace, wasting electricity.

Let's also remember that we have alternating current in our sockets, which is interrupted 50 times per second. This means that motors create reactive electricity almost all the time, which is influenced by an energy saver. Feedback from grateful buyers on the seller's website suggests that it is very profitable. And the forums have a completely different attitude to this device.

Sources of reactive energy

As mentioned earlier, reactive energy is generated by an electromagnetic coil. But for most people, it remains unclear exactly where these coils are located in their house. This is extremely simple: in almost everything that has a rotary element. In the kitchen, these are blenders, food processors, electric meat grinders, microwave ovens, refrigerators. In other rooms, there are also hair dryers, vacuum cleaners, and various power tools.

But that is not all. The TV also has its own coils, but they perform a slightly different function there, which makes no sense to describe here. There are also coils in gas lamps, and now most of them are used in apartments.

So every home has enough reactive energy sources. This is what the sellers who offer the energy saver are referring to. Negative reviews on many resources suggest that this is a completely useless device.

Industrial scale

In industries where a huge number of machine tools work, the production of reactive energy is quite large. In this case, of course, it makes sense to look for ways to save electricity.

It has been proven through scientific research that at the moment of interruption of the current, when reactive energy flows from the coil, it can be captured using a standard capacitor. Its capacity is selected in accordance with specific technical characteristics.

The capacitor charged with reactive electricity sends it back to the motor, thereby converting it into an active one. This creates an industrial energy saver. You can also create it with your own hands for household needs. But the cost of making it is unlikely to pay off in the future. And all because the scale of the loss of electricity in a private home is not the same, which, provided that the device was used, could significantly affect the amount in the receipt.

World monopoly

Now let's imagine for a moment that some laboratory was still able to create a device that, in a legal way, significantly affects the amount of electricity used by household appliances.

Such an innovation would not go unnoticed in the scientific world. Its peculiarity is that only a few really reputable research centers own the right to sell almost all modern devices that can change the quality of human life.

It is noteworthy that some of these discoveries are not made by them, but by small scientific centers. In this case, the monopolists will not disregard the invention and will definitely make the researchers who invented it an offer that cannot be refused.

So it turns out that any little-known person cannot revolutionize the household appliances market. After all, all really worthwhile things are produced by eminent manufacturers.

Some brands

After purchasing a device, many people leave negative reviews about it on the forums. Energy Saver Econor and Powersaver are much more likely to fall under the hassle of dissatisfied customers than others. This is because online retailers sell the most of them.

What are these brands? It is quite difficult to find information about them, because before these companies did not exist, and today they offer only this interesting household appliance. But still the country of origin is known: China. This fact alone should seriously alert consumers. Indeed, it is rare that really high-quality goods come to us from the Celestial Empire.

So it turns out that the Powersaver energy saver gets only negative reviews. The positive impressions of customers on the websites of online stores can be ignored. They are written by experts to convince people to purchase this product.

Let's look into the box

Each energy saver purchased on the Internet causes only negative reviews from buyers. They all say that this is a fraud and a scam, that the money was wasted, sent to the enrichment fund of the next scammers.

But not everything in the reviews can be called true. He nevertheless performs some action with the power grids. Therefore, it is interesting to see what is inside this miracle device.

Anyone who knows a little about radio components will immediately notice that the device consists of one or two diode bulbs, several diodes and a capacitor or two. There are no more super-equipment or super-parts there.

The entire set of "know-how" components can be bought at the nearest radio store and this device can be soldered independently. There can only be some questions, in what sequence to connect the parts, from which the energy saving will then turn out. His scheme is carefully hidden by sellers, since people who are more or less knowledgeable will see from it how they are trying to deceive. If a person is well versed in radio engineering, then he will understand everything from the photo of the "insides" of the device.

Scientific justification for deception

Obviously, some scientists and electrical engineers could not stand aside and observe how some Chinese device breaks their understanding of the world and bypasses some of the laws of physics.

Therefore, studies have been repeatedly carried out, the purpose of which was to confirm or deny the data claimed by the sellers regarding the effectiveness of the device. For this purpose, control samples were bought, and on the basis of their work, measurements of various indicators were made.

According to the results of these studies, an energy saver does indeed reduce current consumption, but its percentage is no more than 3-5, although manufacturers loudly declare 50-60%

The declared voltage stabilization of the home network is refuted immediately, since no stabilizer can work in parallel with the devices. It must only be connected in series, which is impossible if it is plugged into an outlet next to operating devices.

Regarding the reactive energy itself, it is worth noting that it is in no way considered a meter, and its amount in the home network is negligible. Therefore, buying an economy saver is helping the energy company more than you are helping yourself. After all, she really suffers losses from reactive current.

Indistinct wording

And the most important of them is vague, confusing descriptions of the characteristics of the device and the principle of its operation. Every sales person will tell you that the customer needs to be interpreted like a little child. He should not be given descriptions with complex terms, and even more so with scientific conclusions.

Experts say that if you try to figure out what the descriptions say, you get such unreal things that it is impossible to imagine them in this world. If we translate them into a more understandable language, it turns out something like "plug the device H into an outlet, and you will always have a complete absence of gravity in your house." This is impossible, as well as what the sellers of the economists are talking about.

We make the device with our own hands

We mentioned earlier that you can make a DIY energy saver. To do this, you just need to buy a base, solder several parts into it and attach it.

But to find a detailed diagram of this device is almost impossible. Manufacturers hide it, and those who understand the principle of operation of the device consider it beneath their dignity to draw up a diagram of a completely useless device.

Therefore, it is better to forget about this idea and think about what more real you can save on. For example, replace some bulbs in the house with less powerful ones, where appropriate: corridor, basement, toilet. This will give about the same percentage of savings, or even more than an expensive Chinese device.

Detailed analysis of all reviews

How do buyers actually rate an energy saver? Negative reviews prevail significantly. People are disappointed after a month or two of using the device. They point out that the percentage of savings is so negligible that it could be achieved by unscrewing one light bulb in the apartment.

They also do not notice that the voltage in the network becomes more stable, which in principle is impossible, since there is not a single detail in the device circuit designed to perform this function.

Buyers are disappointed that the high price tag hasn't paid off at all. All the money was wasted. And instead of saving, people got substantial losses.

We do not take into account the positive reviews from sites selling this product, because they are not real there. Not a single electrician or engineer in his right mind will write that such a device is really a godsend for the modern user.

Social phenomenon

In times of crisis, people always have a need to somehow reduce their costs. most often fall under the crosshair. This is exactly what scammers use.

Today, a socio-economic phenomenon has emerged, which is an attempt to save money, but at the same time not break the law, as foreseen, for example, by the energy saver "Econor". The principle of its operation, according to manufacturers, is precisely to legally reduce electricity consumption. In fact, this is a common swindle and siphoning money from the wallets of desperate people.

Danger of constant use of economists

Finally, it is worth considering another feature that the energy saver has. Reviews rarely mention this, since they are not written by experts.

If the device is constantly connected to the network, then at moments of minimum load it creates an overvoltage in the network, which can cause in the electric motor.

If it suddenly happens that most people believe in its magical abilities and install it in their homes, then not only household appliances will deteriorate. This phenomenon is likely to lead to substation accidents and power outages.

There are no miracles in the world, especially if they are made in China.

Electrical wiring is always a source of potential danger, so they tend to lay it hidden in residential premises - in boxes, under a layer of plaster or in the depths of walls.

However, what makes the daily use of electrical energy safe makes it difficult to repair and maintain electrical systems as wiring has yet to be found. This process is facilitated by special devices.

In their work, they use different physical principles, and their cost differs depending on the number of functions performed, detection accuracy and other parameters.

Replacing or installing an outlet in most cases does not require a home call from the wizard. How to properly connect a double socket to one socket with your own hands, learn from this.

Examples and comparison of popular models

Before proceeding with the review of popular models and their comparison, it is worth noting that in most cases, their explicit or hidden manufacturer is China.

Metal detector

An example of such a portable and reasonably cheap device is device MS-258A brand MEET... It fits in the hand and has two types of indication - LED and sound (buzzer).

The manufacturer promises that this detector detects any metal object- screw, nail, pipe, wire or fittings - at a depth of 18 cm. It is powered by two coin-cell batteries (AG13 or LR44). It costs from 300 to 500 rubles.

EM detector

These include not only specialized search engines for hidden wiring, but also the so-called non-contact indicators used to work in open power grids.

For example, such a non-contact voltage indicator is FLUKE LD-2... This is a "pencil" type device that detects an electromagnetic field at a distance of up to 17 cm (outdoors). In his presence, a blue LED is triggered, when the closest approach to the source of EM radiation, the indication changes to red.

For the convenience of work, an LED flashlight is placed in the same housing with the search engine... It can be used to search for wiring under plaster, wallpaper, chipboards. Powered by two AAA batteries. It costs quite a lot - from 2 to 3 thousand rubles. Largely due to the fact that it is produced in the USA.

Device E 121 "Woodpecker" Is a Ukrainian development. He is a specialized search engine for electromagnetic radiation. Looks like an early mobile phone with a short whip antenna. Designed to indicate both open and hidden wiring.

For this, there are four mode selection buttons on its body. When you turn on the fourth, the sensitivity of the device increases so much that it allows you to find a conductor at a distance of up to 75 cm, but this makes it extremely susceptible to industrial noise. Indication is made by light and sound... It costs from 2 to 3.5 thousand rubles.

Video review of the device for finding and detecting hidden electrical wiring in the wall "Woodpecker":

Combined

The most popular hidden wiring detector among combined devices is MS-158MV manufactured in China by MEET International. And this is not only because of the low price - it does not exceed 1000 rubles, but also because of its versatility. The device does not only search for metal and electromagnetic radiation.

This device is designed for searching and hidden wiring in the wall, also with its help it is possible to determine the polarity in DC circuits with voltages up to 36 volts, determine the performance of incandescent lamps.

Multifunctionality affected its ability to detect anything. The device does not see anything deeper than five to six centimeters.

An example of a combined detector with a liquid crystal display is Wall Scanner 80 model manufactured by ADA (mostly made in China, but it is a multinational business). In addition to searching for metals and electromagnetic fields, this device detects wooden beams hidden in the wall. Combined indication.

A sample of this detector for finding and detecting hidden wiring is shown in the photo:

The liquid crystal display reflects the fact of detection of a metal object (including the distance to it) and electromagnetic radiation. In addition to it, there is light and sound indication. Its price starts at 3,500 rubles.

What to choose

As you can see from the table, the versatility of the device directly affects its ability - the more functions it has, the lower the likelihood of finding something... Therefore, if you want to have a device that has good search capabilities, give preference to highly specialized ones, detecting either EM or metal. Although a device with a detection range of 7 centimeters is quite enough to search for electrical wiring in an apartment.

Liquid crystal displays are convenient but do not guarantee detection accuracy. In addition, not too essential information may be displayed on it, but each such option is an increase in cost.

The same can be said for devices that detect wooden parts in the walls. For most city dwellers living in concrete "boxes", this ability is clearly superfluous.

How to calibrate and prepare for work

To most search devices attached instructions, which describes how to calibrate and set up for work. But the scope of work can be different. For example, adjusting the E 121 requires several manipulations that may seem unnecessarily difficult to people with technical cretinism.

The Wall Scanner, on the other hand, is calibrated at the push of a button on the case.

But even if you have set up the device according to all the rules, it will be useful to make sure that it works in practice. To do this, bring the search device close to the power cord of the switched on device, a metal object or a place where the position of the hidden wiring does not give rise to your doubts.

Some subtleties

When working to detect hidden wiring, first of all observe basic electrical safety measures... Moreover, if devices that detect electromagnetic radiation are used. Indeed, in this case, the voltage from the live parts is not removed.

The surfaces to be inspected must be dry, the detection accuracy depends on this... It will be best if during this work you turn off mobile phones, Wi-Fi routers and other sources of electromagnetic radiation.

For several months, a device for saving energy has been gaining popularity on the Internet. Based on the description to it, the operation of the device is based on the effect of lagging the phase of the flowing current from the voltage in the presence of an inductive load, since loads in industrial and domestic power grids are usually active-inductive in nature. Such energy is not associated with performing useful work, but is spent on creating magnetic fields and creates an additional load on the power supply lines. The share of the consumed reactive power in the network can be up to 50% of the total load current, which is proposed to be saved.

This function is performed by the so-called static converters.

According to the description on one site for the sale of the above devices for allegedly saving electricity, static converters are intelligent electronic energy-saving devices that allow the consumer to save up to 30% of electricity. They contain the following nodes:

A control module with a programmable controller or multistage transformer evenly distributes the load, captures reactive energy and partially converts it into active energy.

The overvoltage protection module provides complete protection of electrical appliances from lightning and power surges.

The active filtering module eliminates the currents of higher harmonics in the wires, smooths out nonlinear distortions. Prevents premature failure of electronic equipment and systems, prolongs service life.

Power factor correction module. Increases the power factor of electrical appliances by redistributing reactive power. Promotes savings in energy consumption, reduces electrical losses due to heating of the wiring.

The phase compensation module distributes the load to each phase and saves energy consumption.

In general, the proposed device is a device that will give you minus a quarter or a third of the cost of electricity. And all this for just a symbolic price of up to $ 30. Depending on the maximum current and load power. The very same circuit of the device is simple - a non-polar capacitor connected in parallel to the outlet and LEDs powered by a transformerless power supply.

Having actually analyzed this device to save energy, we can assume the following. In the electrical network, electrical appliances with a non-linear load are indeed often found. Thanks to them, one more component of power can be distinguished - reactive distortion caused by higher harmonics. And this device is a kind of filter of higher harmonics, which create additional losses in power grids and partially increase the consumption of linear loads through voltage. Therefore, such an economizer can reduce the active consumption of electricity, albeit by only a few percent. In general, buy it or not - decide for yourself. Savings, if any, are less than the advertised level. But it is not expensive and you can take it for an experiment to make sure of the (in) effectiveness yourself.

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