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

Cant wait,you can never know to much,,,,,,,or can you



Mike

well i had some three phase work done and they wired it straight into the mains no fuse at all just a switch. And this guy was certified , that's the way they do it in Bulgaria is what he said . I will get a fuse box from England and sort it out .

Sounds very interesting John, we can talk about this to I forgot to mention I have also got a Bulgarian qualified Electrician joining the forum soon who will also be giving some advice



Here's something for you all to look at, its the old system (A) and the new (B) note the old system was used in domestic inhalations in the uk some time back and is still used in older houses in Bulgaria, however the older system is still used in the uk in certain installations, just something for you to consider before we get into the rights and wrongs

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I have a question why is that the voltage in Bulgaria seems to be up and down so much and what damage can this cause to appliences etc.

Good question I'm sure Peter will be able to say why this is ?

meandmine wrote:

I have a question why is that the voltage in Bulgaria seems to be up and down so much and what damage can this cause to appliences etc.

Dear "
meandmine"
,
There are a lot of reasons for the voltage to vary. As users we can take care of just one of those reasons. Often the reasons for the voltage to drop down are the distance between the user and the transformer, and the older air grid.
This causes a lowering of voltage between phase(L) and zero(N), especially in winter when consumption is greater.
Furthermore, there's emergence of voltage between zero and land.
Only that we can eliminate using Earthing. Earth is the right thing to do from the company's power supplier.
As to dangers and damages, it is most dangerous for asynchronous motors(single and three phase). They just overheat and burn. As to the modern equipment (TV, PC, radio) it is better to engage in "
online UPS"
. For cooking stoves and other heating appliances (without motors), this is reflected by their reduced power.
!!!! Air conditioners and refrigerators with compressors should not operate at a voltage difference of 10% !!!!
I believe that this gave a satisfactory answer to your question, but if you do not understand something(both english and meaning of text) please do not hesitate to ask me with "
quote"

I have a question? does it make any differance which way round you plug the plug in it confuses me,also when i check some of my items that i plug in with my volt tester its picking up 12 volt



Mike

I have a problem with the computer in the basement. The floor is tiles on a reinforced concrete slab, which is quite damp (A flippin understatement, 3"
of water last week is more than damp!). If I touch the casing of the computer, or the end of USB leads etc. I get a tingly shock. Not enough to hurt, but definitely a shock. I've checked the wiring to the socket, it has the little link wire between Earth and Neutral (Blue), and reversing the plug in the socket makes no difference. The kitchen's down there too, but nothing else seems to want to shock me. Although there's no water downstairs now, there's a strict 'proper shoes only' policy until everything dries out properly, and the computer's now isolated from the mains by a battery-inverter-UPS setup. What can I do to make sure everything is safe?

Keith

had our electrics checked and earthed about 2 years ago as everybody was getting electric shocks off every appliance,they said everything was ok,but all of a sudden when you switch on the ceiling fan in the hallway,the ceiling fan in the bedroom(which is off the hallway)starts turning very slowly even though it is switched of,would appreciate a bit of advice as bit wary when changing the bulb because that does,nt light up untill you put on the switch.

mickhev wrote:

I have a question? does it make any differance which way round you plug the plug in it confuses me,also when i check some of my items that i plug in with my volt tester its picking up 12 volt



Mike

Hi Mike
My answer is nope. No matter if you turn on the plug anyway. electrical appliances are manufactured so that no matter how the plug will be plug in. As to the difference that your volt tester is taken I can not answer from a distance, should not be so.

Peter

Thank you Peter,i guess 12 volt is not going to hurt anyone,but as you say it should not be




Mike

Karona wrote:

I have a problem with the computer in the basement. ....

Keith

Dear Keith
That what you experienced is due to the small potential difference (1 to 10-15V) between the neutral and the Grund. In connection with the question of meandmine on "
voltage in Bulgaria seems to be up and down"
I looked at this issue. This potential difference can be eliminated by grounding of the neutral in the power meter.

I hope that was helpful.

Peter

Loupylou wrote:

but all of a sudden when you switch on........

Dear Loupylou,
Sorry I have no ready answer to your question.
This case is good to check by a qualified electrician on your house.

Regards

Peter

mickhev wrote:

Thank you Peter,i guess 12 volt is not going to hurt anyone,but as you say it should not be
Mike

Mike

Excuse me, I guess not correctly understand where these measured 12V

Peter