Voltage Optimisation
Professional Voltage Optimisation Across the UK
Improving Efficiency and Reducing Energy Costs
Electrical Testing UK carries out voltage optimisation assessments and installs voltage optimisation equipment for commercial and industrial operators. The UK grid supply voltage is nominally 230V but is frequently delivered at 240V to 253V — within the permitted tolerance of 230V +10%/-6% but higher than most electrical equipment requires for efficient operation. Running equipment at higher than necessary voltage increases energy consumption, generates excess heat and shortens equipment lifespan. Voltage optimisation reduces the supply voltage delivered to the installation to the optimum level for the connected load, typically 220V to 225V, reducing energy consumption across resistive and some inductive loads without affecting equipment performance. We measure your actual supply voltage over a monitoring period, model the energy saving potential for your specific load profile, and install and commission optimisation equipment where the financial case is sound.
Key Features Include
Supply Voltage Monitoring
We monitor your actual supply voltage over an agreed period before specifying any equipment, confirming that your supply is consistently delivered above the optimum level and that voltage optimisation would deliver a genuine benefit.
Financial Modelling Based on Actual Data
We model the projected energy saving using your actual supply voltage data, energy consumption records and load profile, providing a realistic return on investment calculation before any equipment is committed.
Equipment Supply and Installation
We supply and install voltage optimisation units sized correctly for the connected load and install them at the main incoming supply, with commissioning and verification of the voltage reduction achieved.
Combined with Power Factor Correction
Voltage optimisation and power factor correction address different aspects of supply efficiency and can be combined where both would deliver benefit, with Electrical Testing UK assessing and installing both under one contract.
Post-Installation Monitoring
We offer post-installation monitoring to confirm that the optimisation equipment is performing as specified and that the projected energy savings are being achieved under actual operating conditions.
Voltage Optimisation for Commercial and Industrial Premises
Voltage Optimisation for Commercial Premises with High Lighting and HVAC Loads Commercial buildings with significant resistive and inductive loads, fluorescent and discharge lighting, HVAC compressors, pumps and fans, are the most straightforward candidates for voltage optimisation. Resistive loads such as heating elements and incandescent lighting consume energy in direct proportion to the square of the applied voltage, so a reduction from 242V to 220V produces a measurable reduction in energy consumption for these load types. We carry out voltage optimisation assessments for offices, retail premises, hotels, leisure facilities and similar commercial buildings, measuring supply voltage and modelling savings based on the actual load mix of the building.
Voltage Optimisation for Industrial Sites Industrial sites with large motor loads require careful assessment before voltage optimisation is specified, as the relationship between supply voltage and energy consumption for induction motors is more complex than for resistive loads. Motors operating below nameplate voltage may draw higher current to maintain torque, potentially offsetting savings on other load types. We carry out detailed load analysis for industrial sites, distinguishing between load types that will benefit from voltage reduction and those that will not, and specifying optimisation equipment only where the overall site energy balance confirms a net saving.
Voltage Optimisation for Public Sector and Multi-Site Operators Local authorities, NHS trusts, universities and multi-site retail and hospitality operators managing large estates can achieve significant aggregate energy savings through voltage optimisation applied across their portfolio. We carry out voltage optimisation programmes for multi-site operators, applying a consistent assessment methodology across sites and prioritising installation at the sites where the financial return is greatest.
Voltage Optimisation as Part of a Wider Energy Efficiency Programme Voltage optimisation delivers the greatest value as part of a broader energy efficiency programme that also addresses power factor correction, LED lighting, building management and load management. We assess voltage optimisation alongside other efficiency measures, providing a combined view of the savings available and the investment required for each, so operators can prioritise expenditure on the measures that deliver the best return.
Measurement to Installation, the Voltage Optimisation Process
Monitoring supply voltage and analysing the load profile We install voltage and power monitoring equipment at the incoming supply to measure the actual supply voltage, active power consumption and load profile over an agreed monitoring period, typically a minimum of two weeks to capture the full operational cycle. The monitoring data confirms whether the supply voltage is consistently high enough to make optimisation worthwhile, and provides the load profile data needed to model the energy saving for the specific mix of load types on the site.
Modelling the energy saving and specifying equipment The monitoring data is used to model the projected energy saving at the proposed optimised voltage level, taking into account the proportion of resistive, inductive and electronic loads on the site and the extent to which each will benefit from voltage reduction. We calculate the projected annual saving in kilowatt hours and monetary terms based on the site’s actual tariff, and specify the rating and type of voltage optimisation unit required. We present the financial model transparently, including the assumptions made and the sensitivity of the projected saving to variations in load and supply voltage.
Installing and commissioning the optimisation unit The voltage optimisation unit is installed at the main incoming supply in series with the incoming feed to the distribution system. Installation is carried out by our own qualified engineers to BS 7671, with a brief planned outage to make the electrical connection. On commissioning, the output voltage is verified and post-installation monitoring confirms that the target voltage is being maintained and that the energy saving modelled at assessment stage is being realised.
Professional Voltage Optimisation Across the UK
Measurement before specification We measure your actual supply voltage before recommending voltage optimisation. If your supply voltage does not consistently warrant optimisation, or if your load profile means the saving would be marginal, we will tell you rather than install equipment that will not deliver the projected return.
Honest financial modelling We model projected savings using your actual consumption data and a transparent methodology. We do not use industry average figures or best-case assumptions that overstate the return and undermine confidence in the result when actual savings are lower.
Load analysis for industrial sites We carry out proper load analysis for industrial sites rather than applying commercial building saving percentages to industrial loads. Motor-heavy sites require a different analytical approach, and we apply it.
Assessment and installation under one contract We assess, specify, supply, install and commission all under the same contract. One contractor, one point of accountability, and no gap between the financial case and the installed equipment.
Qualified engineers, not subcontractors All voltage optimisation assessment and installation is carried out by our own NICEIC-qualified engineers. We do not subcontract, so quality and accountability remain with Electrical Testing UK throughout.
Our Work
Voltage Optimisation
Electrical Testing UK assesses supply voltage and installs voltage optimisation equipment for commercial premises, industrial sites and public sector buildings across the UK, reducing energy consumption and extending equipment life through correctly specified and data-led optimisation installations.
National Coverage
We are a local Lincolnshire business, but with satellite offices in Peterborough, Cambridge, Nottingham and Enfield, no matter where you’re based in the UK, we can help. Just give us a call or drop us an email.
