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How much AC is too much.

Has anyone had any issues with high AC levels at home? I am receiving 123 to 126 volts at my home at times. What level is too much and could cause damage to equipment?

I heard that a lot of the power companies are no longer regulating the outside grid like they use to do. To save money they are not regulating the voltage level at some of the transformers. If you live near a transformer that is not regulated you could have issues.

Any recommendations on the best way to correct incomming voltage ... Variac , AC regenerator (PS Audio) ?
timo62
gbart
290 posts
 
The North American electrical standard is +_5% (114V-126V). This should only present a problem with older tube gear.
timo62 OP
278 posts
 
Thanks for the input everyone.
I contacted the local power utility company and was told the same measurement of plus or minus 5% 114V to 126V. I just wanted to make sure that I was not causing any damage to my equipment when the AC level was at 125-126V.
williewonka
3,067 posts
 
To make it even more ugly, some of the new gear out of china is designed to work at a voltage lower than 120 - not sure why.

I had a Chinese built tube amp and had to get it fixed because it destroyed a set of tubes in 6 months.

Run that at 127 volts and the filaments burning through could cause lots of very serious damage.
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