Reviewing Required Connection Capacity to Avoid Overpaying: Guide by Sadales Tīkls

At the beginning of July, with the change of “Sadales netas” tariffs, electricity users are encouraged to review the required connection capacity so as not to overpay.

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For each customer, the fee for system services is formed depending on the requested power (load), which is expressed by the number of phases (F) and amperes (A) of the electricity connection. It is important to select it according to the electricity consumption habits of each household, which is influenced by the range and power of the electrical equipment used in the household.

“Sadales tīkls” explains that apartment owners mostly use 1 F, 16 A or 20 A connections, which are suitable for providing all daily needs: lighting the rooms, operating the washing machine, refrigerator, TV, iron, electric kettle and other devices. On the other hand, 3 F connections are mostly installed in new project apartment buildings and private houses, where electrical devices with higher power are often used, such as heat pumps, water pumps, air conditioners, etc.

“Sadales tīkls” explains that by demanding too much power, the electricity connection is not efficient, first by overpaying for the installation of the connection and then every month – for maintaining the available but unused capacity, emphasizes “Sadales tīkls”. On the other hand, if the maximum available power of the connection is too small, when operating several powerful devices at the same time, an overload will occur and the circuit breakers or “corks” will turn off for safety, cutting off the electricity supply to a specific room or the entire home.

Each device has its own capacity

In order to determine how much power is needed, “Sadales tīkls” indicates that, first of all, it is necessary to know the electrical devices planned in the home and the power required for their operation. For each device, it may vary depending on the model, energy efficiency class, etc. For example, the power of an electric kettle can be both 1500 and 2400 watts (W), an oven – close to 3000 watts (W). The power of each device can be found in its user manual, often it is also indicated on the body of the electrical device.

If it is planned to introduce any additional electrical devices in the household in the future, then the power potentially required for their operation should also be determined.

The total power must be calculated

Secondly, the total power (load) of all devices should be calculated, which will allow to understand the technical parameters of the electricity connection (number of F and A) according to the operating habits of the devices. The total power can be calculated using load calculation calculator, which is available on the homepage of “Distribution Network”. It has already set the average power of the most commonly used electrical appliances in the household, while if the exact power of the equipment is known, it should be entered in the relevant sections. If more extensive consultations are needed, “Sadales tīkls” recommends contacting an electrical specialist.

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If the customer wants to find out the existing connection capacity (the number of F and A), then it can be done by authorizing in the “Sadales nettas” customer portal “e-st.lv”. You must select the section “Object information” – “Electricity supply objects” and select “Technical information” under the address of the corresponding object.

How to reduce power?

If, when calculating the total required connection power, the customer concludes that the power selected so far is too high, it is possible to reduce it in the “Sadales netto” customer portal by applying for load reduction. You must select the “Apply service” – “Connections” – “Load changes” section.

It is recommended to evaluate the suitability of the load for households with 3 F, 25 and more A connections. There are almost 100 thousand households with such a connection in Latvia, and such capacity could be too much for the needs of these households. “Sadales tīkls” reveals that in June, almost 3,200 households overestimated their electricity connection and applied for load reduction.

Load reduction is a free service, but “Sadales tīkls” emphasizes that this decision should be carefully considered. If, after some time, the need for a larger load still arises, the service of increasing it will be for a fee.

The load reduction and the necessary technical operations will be carried out by the “Distribution Network” specialists, while the operations that could be carried out at the customer’s property when the load is changed, for example, the replacement of the input protection apparatus corresponding to the new load, will have to be provided by the customer himself, but if necessary, an electrical specialist will be able to help with advice.

Which tariff is better?

From July 1, customers have access to two distribution tariff plans – “Basic” and “Special” tariffs are suitable for residents with regular, active daily electricity consumption. “Distribution network” indicates that about 90% of customers could be like that. On the other hand, “Special” – for properties in which the consumption of electricity is very low or irregular, for example, properties that are put up for sale and are not inhabited on a daily basis, summer houses in the winter months, companies with seasonal activity outside the season, etc. etc.

“Sadales tīkls” emphasizes that it is possible to change the tariff plan by choosing the most suitable one for the planned electricity consumption in the next month (for example, when moving to a summer house in the summer). This can be done for free in your profile on the “Sadales netto” customer portal. In addition, during the transition from July to the end of September 2023, it is possible to apply for changes as early as the 1st of the current month.

2023-07-25 09:04:01
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