A little background; the line voltage supplied here in my part of India varies as a function of the load. At dusk, the measured value is as high as 248V. Household appliances are rated at either 220V, or 240V.
A friend and I were talking; my take is the bill is for Energy (kWH). Ergo, regardless of whether the line is 220, 240, 250 - the energy consumed will be constant. His take is that the higher voltage means a lower current drawn - less heat, and less energy consumed.
How do I, as a consumer, gain or lose when the utility line voltage swings above or below the rated value?
1. ALL Electrical loads are not constant voltage loads, they will allow some range of voltage level, so there is no problem in voltage variations.
2. power = current * voltage
energy = power* time
so, energy is not only depends on current. its depends on voltage also
You will probably not have any significant problems with switchmode power supplies, most of which can cope with at least 20% variation in line voltage with no problems (and many can cope with much more than that, at least on the lower side). The total power drawn will be about the same (more current will be drawn at lower supply voltages) although peak efficiency will usually be at the nominal supply voltage.
Resistive loads obviously will draw more power at higher voltages, so you will pay a bit more more as your power meter records watts consumed (but you'll get more heat out of a heating element etc. as well).
Daniel is right!
Resistive loads obviously will draw more power at higher voltages, so you will pay a bit more more as your power meter records watts consumed (but you'll get more heat out of a heating element etc. as well).
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