High voltage
May 1st 2008

Statutory electricity supply voltages were reduced from 240V in the UK to 230V +10% or -6% from the 1 January 2003, but average voltage remains at 242V (approximately 5% higher). As the majority of electrical equipment is designed to run at the 220V European nominal, there should be no problem operating at the UK's 230V nominal level. The higher the voltage; the higher the energy consumption. Usually reducing the voltage by 5% will give savings of 10%. The EMS PowerStar unit reduces voltages to the UK nominal (230V) via variable impedance transformer technology.

Savings in manufacturing are typically 12%, in administration type buildings savings can be significantly higher, about 16%.

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