Spanish Electricity – Rick Repairs: 

Living in Spain is wonderful, but there are drawbacks, one of which is the electricity supply - or lack of it.  Interruptions are commonplace and lack of voltage, especially in the Campo, are well known.

I get called out to fix all sorts of problems from burnt out switch boxes, Sky boxes not working, air-con dead, constant tripping etc.

Why do these things happen and what can we do to prevent them or lessen the impact?

Electrical appliances for the home are made to run on 230V ac, but often in the Campo, the voltage can be very much lower.  You’d be forgiven for thinking that it’s the high voltage that does the damage, but it’s not always so. Things like compressors used in your fridge, freezer and air-con need a minimum voltage to start – too low and they stall.  In this stalled condition they consume a lot more electricity and get hot, either burning out or tripping the breaker in the switch box.  Surges and spikes in the supply cause all sorts of problems, particularly with computers and control systems and other electronic devices.  A particularly nasty problem here is the supply turning off and on several times during the space of a few minutes – this can last a couple of hours and puts enormous strain on any appliances with transformers – they convert mains voltages down to low levels for the electronics to work.  Things such as air-cons stop working for good – new parts are needed to get them going again.  Radios, TVs, ‘phone chargers and Sky boxes can all be susceptible.

So what can we do?  Firstly, make sure you have the basics right.  Inside your switchbox you should find what’s called an ‘earth leakage circuit breaker’ or trip switch – it’s the switch with the little reset button or lever on it. This should always be rated at the same or greater current as the main breaker – so often I have been called out to replace one of these because someone has up-rated the main breaker and not up-rated this one.  This is your safety protection – it switches off if there is a fault condition but can’t if it’s not big enough – don’t risk it, get it changed.  For your computer, get a surge protector multiway mains outlet that also has protection for your ‘phone line. Make sure your computer internet connection is fed via this if on direct line. Check this surge protector is plugged into an earthed socket – several sockets I’ve come across appear to have an earth (2 metal prongs at the top and bottom), but they are often not connected.  If not connected, they won’t work.

For over and under voltage, there is a special switch sold here which switches off the incoming mains if outside of correct voltage and switches back on when correct – you need the space of 5 switches inside your switch box or an extra box to fit it in.

Unfortunately there is very little you can do to prevent the frequent on-off switching that is common here except to switch off or disconnect susceptible appliances when it is happening – this applies particularly to air-cons.  They have to be unplugged or the supply to them switched off – it’s no good just turning them off with the remote control.

If you’re going to be away for more than a few days it’s wise to turn off everything possible, maybe leaving the fridge/freezer supply, swimming pool pump and security lights on.  Don’t forget: if the supply goes off for any period of time, any timer controls will be wrong – not good to have outside lights on a timer as it advertises the fact that you’re not there if they switch on during the day; fit a dusk to dawn switch instead.

Nuisance tripping: you can never get a completely foolproof system. If the supply keeps going on and off, at some point the trip switch will activate and then your supply remains off until you reset it. If you plan to be away for some time, get someone to keep an eye on things for you.  If the trip switch keeps turning off under normal conditions then you have a problem. Try to isolate the cause – switch off all breakers. Then turn on the main breaker followed by the trip switch. Turn remaining breakers on one at a time until the trip activates. Turn this breaker off and investigate or call for help. The most likely causes are appliances that have something to do with water or are outside in all weather. Ever tried doing without electricity for a few days? It’s not easy…

- Rick Repairs - I can be contacted on 618135227