There are some power saver devices shown in TV advertisements that they can save electricity bills.
But, does they really cut down electricity bills as advertised? Does they really cut down bills by 50%?
No.
How they can save bills and how much ?
They merges the cosine spikes in electrical waveform resulting in less spike height, so they can save bills a bit. They are simply plugged into wall plug and they do that by help of a capacitor. There are some indicator lights in the device which does nothing but just shows power ok. It can save power around 10% actually.
Which appliances power consumption it can make low?
Only inductive loads produce cosine waves and it can be useful in cases of electric heaters, air conditioners, electrical motors, induction cookers, etc.
How to make it?
To make power saver circuit, you just need a capacitor of 5-10µF of 220V or 440V according to your area grid voltage is 110V or 220V.
For this, I’d recommend buying the oil based capacitors that are used in ceiling fans. They are just 2.5µF, so you need to parallel 2 to 4 capacitors. After that, just connect them into plug and see it works.
You can also use any other oil filled capasitors, like used in water pumps, to make power saver circuit.
Just choose the one with correct voltage rating and make sure they're non-polar capacitors.
Bottomline: If you run AC, refrigerator, electric water pump, etc then connect a capacitor at the same plug to save some bill.
Good reading: http://electrical-engineering-portal.com/the-real-truth-behind-household-power-savers Thanks Prakash!
leemek says
Arup, recently i used electrolitic type capacitor value 47 micro F / 450 v, I connected it directly to the outlet n then my capacitor burst. CAn you explain to me why??
Arup says
It happened because you used polarized capacitors. We need non-polarized ones.
jayu says
arup sir
i am use the capacitor but not working still daily 8 unit
please reply me sir
harco says
hello arup,I already installed my capacitor hope my next bill lowers a bit.
I
Ashish says
Sir,
I used 10 uf +-5% / 440 VAC Capacitor and attached as parallel with my double door fridge. Nothing happened. My electricity consumption is still same as it was.
What wrong with me?
Regards,
Ashish
RK Murthy Challa says
Mr. Arup,
You have given good useful tip and understood. But the conclusion of your idea is not clear.
I mean, the said Capacitor has to connect in parallel to the individual power sockets, which we use with some appliance. Am I t correct or not. Plz let me know.
Rodney says
Dear Arup
if i connect the capacitor to the TELEVISION pin & insert in a plug can it cause any harm?
does increasing capacitors can reduce more electricity?
Abhi says
Very nice article
1 question though i have 3 phase meter
as per my understanding i should connect 3 capacitor for 3 phase
i have already bought 3 440 v ac 25 MFD shall i connect it directly to main power coming from meter does it hurt any appliances like Plasma tv or computer and also i have a 3 phase bore well motor connected to it is there any problems with this type of connection??
raju says
what to do for 3 phase power saver?
raju says
what to do for 3 phase energy saver?
sajid rasheed says
he anup plz help me the name of capasitor told me what finder relay used and finder stop the meter and tell me what finder function
Prakash says
The real truth behind household power savers
http://electrical-engineering-portal.com/the-real-truth-behind-household-power-savers
Arup says
Thanks for the link.
sajid rasheed says
hy arup. please tell me know about what is used electrolight capacitor is good or bad
jhane says
sir arup, can u please give a simple circuit diagram of this with a complete detail of the parts and their value? thanks a lot.
Arup says
Did you really read the article?
Sivaji says
Good day Arup,
I saw a power saver equipment whereby they connect one wire to Phase and one more was to the Ground. there was no neutral connection at all.
based on my understanding, any Capacitor, one leg will be connect to line wire and another to the ground wire. This is to Discharge back the capacitor.
If we fix the capacitor as you instructed, the charge will be kept in the capacitor and how it goin to discharge?
Kindly pls advice
Arup says
Neutral line is connected to ground in the grid supply. 🙂
sajid rasheed says
hy arrup,
kia capasitor bijli ke factor ko sahi kar deta he kia capasitor analog on digital dono meter par work karta he .maximum capasitor ki value kitni honi chahy