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Publisher & Editor-in-Chief Leo Simpson, B.Bus. Editor Greg Swain, B.Sc.(Hons.) Technical Staff John Clarke, B.E.(Elec.) Robert Flynn Darren Yates, B.Sc. Reader Services Ann Jenkinson Sharon Macdonald Marketing Manager Sharon Lightner Phone (02) 979 5644 Mobile phone (018) 28 5532 Regular Contributors Brendan Akhurst Garry Cratt, VK2YBX Marque Crozman, VK2ZLZ John Hill Jim Lawler, MTETIA Bryan Maher, M.E., B.Sc. Philip Watson, MIREE, VK2ZPW Jim Yalden, VK2YGY Bob Young Photography Stuart Bryce SILICON CHIP is published 12 times a year by Silicon Chip Publications Pty Ltd. A.C.N. 003 205 490. All material copyright ©. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written consent of the publisher. Printing: Macquarie Print, Dubbo, NSW. Distribution: Network Distribution Company. Subscription rates: $49 per year in Australia. For overseas rates, see the subscription page in this issue. Editorial & advertising offices: Unit 34, 1-3 Jubilee Avenue, Warrie­ wood, NSW 2102. Postal address: PO Box 139, Collaroy Beach, NSW 2097. Phone (02) 979 5644. Fax (02) 979 6503. PUBLISHER'S LETTER Should we reduce our mains voltage to 230V? Recently, there have been moves afoot to standardise much of the Western world’s electricity supplies, transformers, ma­chines and appliances. If Australia goes along with it, our domestic mains voltage would be reduced from a nominal 240 to 230 volts AC. This suggestion came originally from the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) in 1983. As far as Europe is concerned, the move to standardise on 230 volts, or any other figure for that matter, is probably a good one. Presently, Europe has a range of mains voltages – 220, 230 and 240 volts – and it makes sense to standardise on the one voltage in the long term. Britain, which now uses 240 volts, is going along with the idea but the USA, as is their usual conser­vative stance in these matters, will stick with its 110 volts at 60Hz. However, any suggestion that Australia should automatically follow Europe should be treated with cynicism. Dr David Sweeting, chairman of the Australian Institute of Engineering’s 230-volt working group, is quoted in the Sydney Morning Herald (March 5th, 1994) as saying “It is going to improve the opportunities for the electrical equipment we produce, opening up the world to our industry”. Oh really! Let’s face it, any Australian manufacturer who wants to export is already meeting the standards of world markets or they should be. If they want to sell a product in an overseas market, it has to meet the standards of that market and it will not make one whit of difference whether Australia has the same electrical standard or not. On the other hand, it might make it easier and cheaper for importers of electrical equipment and, heaven knows, Australian manufacturers don’t need any more competition from imports. In virtually every field of endeavour, Australian manu­facturers have heavy competition from aggressive importers. Do we really want to make it easier for the importers and thereby put our balance of payments in even more jeopardy? Remember also that if we change to 230 volts AC for domes­tic use that automatically means a change to the 3-phase distri­bution standard of 415 volts AC to 397 volts. So all the equip­ment designed to run at 415 volts will be slightly less effi­cient, as will 230 volt equipment. The 230-volt working group referred to above estimates the reduction would add about 0.5% to the cost of electricity. I would question that figure too. If the voltage is reduced by a nominal 5% from 240 to 230VAC, the I2R losses in the distribution system will be more like 10%. And when you consider that a great deal of the domestic distribution network actually runs at 250 volts AC or more, the distribution losses would be more like 15% if the change was fair dinkum. That is a huge cost to Australia, for the doubtful bene­fit of being in line with a European standard. I could go on poking holes in the argument but I think I’ve made the point. Should we reduce our mains voltage to 230 volts AC? We’d like to hear from you. Leo Simpson ISSN 1030-2662 WARNING! SILICON CHIP magazine regularly describes projects which employ a mains power supply or produce high voltage. All such projects should be considered dangerous or even lethal if not used safely. Readers are warned that high voltage wiring should be carried out according to the instructions in the articles. When working on these projects use extreme care to ensure that you do not accidentally come into contact with mains AC voltages or high voltage DC. If you are not confident about working with projects employing mains voltages or other high voltages, you are advised not to attempt work on them. Silicon Chip Publications Pty Ltd disclaims any liability for damages should anyone be killed or injured while working on a project or circuit described in any issue of SILICON CHIP magazine. Devices or circuits described in SILICON CHIP may be covered by patents. SILICON CHIP disclaims any liability for the infringement of such patents by the manufacturing or selling of any such equipment. SILICON CHIP also disclaims any liability for projects which are used in such a way as to infringe relevant government regulations and by-laws. Advertisers are warned that they are responsible for the content of all advertisements and that they must conform to the Trade Practices Act 1974 or as subsequently amended and to any governmental regulations which are applicable. 2  Silicon Chip