Electricity supply

Barry · Post by **Barry** » Tue Feb 28, 2006 5:36 pm

We decided to go electric when we refurbished our kitchen, and were advised by our builder to rewire to the kitchen, and upgrade our consumer unit. He made no mention of any potential problems with our incoming power supply. We have just returned from the villa, having experienced frequent power failures due to the EDP isolator tripping out. Our own consumer unit does not trip. There is a "25" marking on the EDP equipment, which we assume is 25 amps. The norm in the UK is 100 amps. Anyone any experience of upgrading the supply.
Barry

tbbr · Post by **tbbr** » Tue Feb 28, 2006 6:21 pm

WE had a similar problem in our apartment when we had TOO many appliances on.
Apparently the stdg charge for power is based on the original rating requested hence the low power limits frequently found.
Rather than pay more we now just switch off any items we do not need ( ie tV radios on standby etc ).
Seems that the portuguese have found a way ( indirectly ) limited excessive power use.

DaveK · Post by **DaveK** » Tue Feb 28, 2006 9:05 pm

Exactly the same thing in our appartment. This happened once or twice last year but last week twice in one evening when we had lights/TV/heating and the dishwasher on but once the bathroom heater was turned on the power tripped out. Once reset removing one major source of power consumption everything was fine.

We will do the same and restrict the number of appliances in use from now on.

Rampage · Post by **Rampage** » Wed Mar 01, 2006 4:31 am

We used to have that problem at our place in Carvoeiro during the winter when there were several heaters on. When someone then switched on the kettle the main breaker would trip. We had to upgrade the supply to three phase when we installed a pool heater and the electrician took the opportunity to spread the load better. We have not had a problem since.

Michael Crane · Post by **Michael Crane** » Wed Mar 01, 2006 9:47 am

I have added this info to Voltage & Electricty supply in FAQ.

Thank you.

biffa · Post by **biffa** » Wed Mar 01, 2006 9:48 am

You can apply for a power increase on line at the EDP web site but of course the standing charge will increase.

Barry · Post by **Barry** » Wed Mar 01, 2006 11:21 am

Thanks for the comments. Since we only use the villa occasionally, and mainly in the winter, we would like to be comfortable when we are there. There's no fun in being scared to boil a kettle in case the lights go out.

Will attempt to contact EDP when we are next over, and obtain a cost for an upgrade.

nightrider · Post by **nightrider** » Wed Mar 01, 2006 12:36 pm

Barry wrote:Thanks for the comments. Since we only use the villa occasionally, and mainly in the winter, we would like to be comfortable when we are there. There's no fun in being scared to boil a kettle in case the lights go out.
Will attempt to contact EDP when we are next over, and obtain a cost for an upgrade.

Barry,
Just a thought that maybe of assistance to you. EDP Portugal are now on line for most things and IN ENGLISH..so if you wish you can of course now contact them from the UK:-
http://www.edp.pt/home.asp

Homme Poco · Post by **Homme Poco** » Wed Mar 01, 2006 1:38 pm

I know someone who got their electrician to uprate the fuse,it´s not 100% legal,but it saves a lot of fannying about.
Have a word with your management team(if you have one),they know all the" very peoples".
Boa Sorte
HP

Barry · Post by **Barry** » Wed Mar 01, 2006 5:56 pm

Thanks for the link nightrider. Must admit I assumed the EDP website would be in Portugese.
We have discussed the problem with the person who looks after the place when we're not there, and she sent the electrician around. He said he thought we didn't have a problem, and that was the last we saw of him. So long as the incoming cable will take more power, I would have thought that putting in a higher rated trip would be relatively easy. Which is why I asked the question in the first place. Anyone have a recommendation for an electrician? If so please pm me. Thanks.

tbbr · Post by **tbbr** » Wed Mar 01, 2006 7:28 pm

You might need to check out your meter as well as this might have been set to the original EDP agreement.

steve · Post by **steve** » Thu Mar 02, 2006 1:35 pm

EDP used to upgarde the Potencia for free but they have now started charging. On my new house they asked for 1100 euros to upgrade from approx 10 KV supplied by the developer to the 20 KV I need to handle all our appliances. It is a bit of a rip off in my opinion because with modern incoming lines all they do is upgrade the fuse so that it handles the higher load before tripping out - no wiring changes at all. Roll on a bit of competition for EDP

Michael Crane · Post by **Michael Crane** » Thu Mar 02, 2006 1:38 pm

Steve, how does 10 & 20 KV relate to amps?

Barry · Post by **Barry** » Thu Mar 02, 2006 6:35 pm

Think Steve may be referring to KVa, which is the same as Kw. (watts=volts x amps). This is the easiest way to estimate your power need - by adding up the wattage of all your appliances. I'm jealous though, because Steve upgraded from a 43a to 86a, and I've only got 25a.

Lesley Jean · Post by **Lesley Jean** » Thu Mar 02, 2006 7:53 pm

Barry, I would completely and utterly recommend Armenio V. D. Dias of Silves, he is a great electrician and speaks very good English. We have used him for all our electrical needs and have been totally and completely satisfied with all his work.

Phone no: 282 445 298 or 917 248 284