First topic message reminder :

Over the next few days/weeks I will be trying here to explain a few facts about how the Bulgarian electrical system works in your house, and hopefully allay any fears you might have and help you to understand exactly how the earthing system works and how it works in the uk, I often see on a lot of other forums  the words "
Its not how we do it in England"
leaving most of you to think it's wrong, I will show you how it works and tell you how safe it is and what you can do to make it safer, your now wondering what qualifications I have to be able to do this? I started my life as an apprentice electrician attaining my City &
Guilds parts 1 &
2 certificates in electrical engineering and developed over many years to the level of Technician which I think more than qualifies me to be able to answer questions here and help you thorough some of the difficulties and myths, you will always get someone who will tell you "
my god that needs changing"
or "
I'm surprised your still alive"
and most of these comments will come from people who are Electricians and in need of work! Although in some cases they do know what they are talking about and you should be guided by them if you know them well enough to trust what they are telling you, and then there are those that think they know what they are talking about? Dont get me wrong there are a good many electricians in Bulgaria who know their job and I'm not trying here to say that they are all the same, but simply to give you all an understanding of exactly how things really are? Anyway  don't misunderstand me? I'm not one of those people who knows everything? or have qualifications as a Plumber, Heating engineer, Jack of all trades etc.

Some of my qualifications which I have  C & G certificates for

Electrical Engineering Parts 1 & 2

Electrical Technicians Part I  Pass with Credit

Electrical Technicians Part II  Pass with Credit

Electrical Technicians Part III  Pass with Distinction

Electrical Engineering Principles Pass with Distinction

Electrical Craft Practice Parts I and II (Final) Pass with Distinction

Practical Work Assessment Pass with Credit

Electrical Plant Utilisation Pass with Distinction

Industrial Electronics Testing Methods Pass with Credit

Watch this space

krypton wrote:

..do you think if these are loose then there could be some voltage loss or gain ????

Yes, if I understand correctly, if these are little loose then there could be some voltage loss, and there will necessarily heats up. [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

Thank you Peter so in effect this could also show the voltage going up and down if they are loose

Whenever we have a weak electrical connection we observed warming and loss of the some voltage

Yep

There are a lot of reasons for the voltage to vary. Often the reasons for the voltage to drop down are the distance between the user and the transformer, and the older overhead cable grid.

So would you recomend the use of a voltage regulator for the older houses or where the voltage is unstable, great post by the way Peter

Keep if flowing Peter its all good and I'm taking note for the future

Hi Peter. When I had work done originally on my house, by an electrician, I had a new meter outside put on the lamp post, by the power company. the electrician connected this to a new 4 slots box inside, and now I look at this box it has only three 25 amp fuses?
When I did my extension we put in a new separate box with separate power wires with a main 63 amp fuse and others for lighting, inside contacts, and outside power. I have never had reason to look at thr original fuses but it seems now wrong for no main fuse and same fuse power for lighting and power.
What would you suggest for the power fuse size and the lighting fuse size? In the village everyone has big fuses which they say is the best way to do it?
Hope this helps as the one thing I don't like doing is electrics.

Dear Dave,

No fuse at the your property must not exceed the amperage of the main fuse, this also applies for the extension.
I don't know what is your instaled power for lighting, but for example next to the power meter is 3P/25A fuse, inside n-slots box (example 3pcs 1P/20A fuse for sockets and 1pcs 1P/10A or 1P/15A for lighting).

Regards
Peter

Dear nu2bg,
So what I would replied,
If the power company is not be able to eliminate this problem, and voltage falls below 200V then everyone can be utilize at its own discretion.

Regards

Hi Peter do you have any of the problems mentioned above and if so how do you solve the problem

Peter_Gold wrote:

Dear Dave,

No fuse at the your property must not exceed the amperage of the main fuse, this also applies for the extension.
I don't know what is your instaled power for lighting, but for example next to the power meter is 3P/25A fuse, inside n-slots box (example 3pcs 1P/20A fuse for sockets and 1pcs 1P/10A or 1P/15A for lighting).

Regards
Peter

Thaks Peter for info.
Will have a complete overhaul of system when my mate comes back in 3 weeks

This thread is a very good idea I am a retired sparks so I can relate to most of this and the advice that is given here by Peter is just as I would myself in the old days keep it going I love this one

Hi Dave,

davshaz wrote:

Hi Peter do you have any of the problems mentioned above and if so how do you solve the problem

Yes I have had the same problem, with the voltage dropping down in the winter, through the time. In my house voltage drops down to 195V and my computer case (box), electric cooker and the fridge, my volt tester is picking 5 to 8 volt at ground. How do I solve them – My solution has been grounding neutral wire with an earth rod. By some time electrical company replaced the mains with new cables and mount the new meter outside on the lamp post. And that’s all no more problems.

Regards

Peter

As a now retired spaky I would agree with what you have done Peter it's really no different to how it was so many years a go here in the uk and it worked for many years without any problems until they bought out the IEE regs which themselves are a nightmare, and very contradictory in some way’s I still keep myself up to date and I presently have the 17th edition so if you would like any information from it please ask