The current high cost of energy in the UK and throughout the world – largely fuelled by the Ukraine war and its impact on the global gas supply – is having a severe impact on household budgets and the economy at large.
One of the innovative solutions currently available for homeowners to save money is to invest in a roof-mounted PV array, combined with a power/energy diverter.
What Are Power Diverters?
A power or energy diverter is an electrical device that redirects surplus electricity generated by a renewable energy source – such as solar panels and wind turbines – to useful applications within the premises, rather than allowing it to be exported back to the grid.
For instance, instead of the surplus being exported, the energy could be retained within the home (or business) and redirected to heat the water tank. In this way, a power diverter saves property owners money on gas hot water bills as well as electricity. Investing in a power diverter is also a practical way of reducing household carbon footprint and contributing to a clean and eco-friendly home.
How Does A Power Diverter Work?
There are two main types of power diverters that work in different ways:
1.Direct Diverters
These devices directly transfer excess electrical energy to specific devices or appliances, such as EV chargers or heaters, without converting the energy into another form first. These are the cheapest form of power diverter but are limited in their applications.
2.Indirect Diverters
Indirect diverters transform excess electrical energy into another form, such as heat, before directing it to a specific device – such as a water tank or air conditioning/heating system. These devices can be more versatile as energy and money-saving investments, but often require more upfront investment, and are more complex to install than direct diverters.
Power diverters use different modes to redirect electricity based on the user’s energy requirements and the available surplus from renewable sources.
- Burst Mode: In this mode, the power is switched on and off relatively frequently, with the minimum on and off time being only a few milliseconds. Burst mode is suitable for devices with a high inrush current, such as heating elements and electric showers.
- Phase Control Mode: In phase control mode, switching takes place at the mains frequency, with the on time varying from zero to the whole main cycle. The load always switches off when the mains voltage passes through zero, thus reducing stress on the device.
- Pulse Width Modulation (PWM): PWM mode involves switching many tens of times within each main cycle, with the on time varying from zero to the whole of the switching cycle. PWM is ideal for fine precision control and better efficiency, ensuring that the diverted energy is used effectively.
Become A Qualified Electrician With PTT
Qualified electricians are required to help homeowners and businesses assess their energy requirements and recommend the most suitable type of power diverter, as well as to readily maintain renewable energy sources and energy diverter devices to ensure optimal performance.
To find out more about becoming a qualified electrician with PTT, or expanding your professional knowledge through one of our electrical installation training courses, please contact us today.
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