Electricity voltage in Thailand.....

[Listerman]

I am interested to know what the electrical supply standard in Thailand should be.

I understand that for domestic use the supply voltage is 220 V AC, can someone confirm if the frequency 50 Hz ?

I would also like to know what the 3 phase supply voltage and frequency would be for industrial users.

Thanks in anticipation of your responses.

[Thetyim]

I've checked a couple of sites and they say
Single phase 220v, 50 Hz
Three phase 380v, 50 Hz

[liveinlos]

One problem here is the voltage is unregulated, meaning there are fluctuations in the actual amount. I have seen the 220 VAC in the house knocked down to 1 phase and supply 75 vac only. This can create strange situations including the fluorescent lights working very dim, pc monitor or flat screen turning on and off, etc. Over the years I have had a quite a few things knocked out completely with the power going on and over sporadically with no warning.

[FlyFree]

It does tend to wander all over the place. Like so much in Thailand, hard to pin down.

[globin]

I've checked a couple of sites and they say
Single phase 220v, 50 Hz
Three phase 380v, 50 Hz

This is the standard, but as people say it is "off spec" sometimes. Transformers and inverters are available in electrical stores, if you require something else.

[lom]

I've checked a couple of sites and they say
Single phase 220v, 50 Hz
Three phase 380v, 50 Hz

This is the standard, but as people say it is "off spec" sometimes. Transformers and inverters are available in electrical stores, if you require something else.

It was standard until 5-6 years ago.
Now it is 218-242V or expressed in another way 230V +- 5%.
The 3-phase voltage is 400V nominal now.

[Rural Surin]

It does tend to wander all over the place. Like so much in Thailand, hard to pin down.

There are some things that need to be coventionally standardized.
Electric infrustructure fits this category.

[hazz]

I've checked a couple of sites and they say
Single phase 220v, 50 Hz
Three phase 380v, 50 Hz

This is the standard, but as people say it is "off spec" sometimes. Transformers and inverters are available in electrical stores, if you require something else.

local electricity transmission is as 11kv 3 phase, in the cities local transformers will take this down to 220v, if you dont have a local 'public ' transformer then you will end up buying one.

if you have a long line running from the transformer and you skimp on the cable size, or the local 11k line gets simually overloaded at peak times then the votage will drop below the legal minimum and you get a brown out. A lot of equipment can handle this, but if you have important equipment that cannot, then you need a ups or a constant voltage transformer

[The Fresh Prince]

Sorry off op

If it sparks when you put a 2 pin plug in then it's pretty normal. In the states they have (or they did when I went) the 2 pin system. Does does it ever spark in the states?

[The Fresh Prince]

It does so with all electricity when you close a circuit.

Yes but I'm from the 3 pinned U.K where we are protected from such stuff!

[hazz]

I know what you mean, Personally i really do not like the plugs here, they are shit, the kind of shit you would expect from a nation of monkeys that thing the earth is 6000 years old. I use 3 pin uk style plugs from singapore and hk

[Marmite the Dog]

In the states they have (or they did when I went) the 2 pin system. Does does it ever spark in the states?

Of course it would if it's 3rd world standard.

[Mozzbie47]

From what iv'e read, there are 2 types of 220 volt electric supply, both are wired in different ways, is that correct. ??

[Grower]

If it sparks when you put a 2 pin plug in then it's pretty normal. In the states they have (or they did when I went) the 2 pin system. Does does it ever spark in the states?

The major difference here is (besides voltage); grounding is not standard. All but a very few receptacles in our house are grounded, which I insisted on for all new additions.
The U.S. is still behind the times with 110/120 V.

[Marmite the Dog]

From what iv'e read, there are 2 types of 220 volt electric supply, both are wired in different ways, is that correct. ??

Probably. One is done according to the laws of physics and one is done the Thai Way™.

[Boon Mee]

Sorry off op

If it sparks when you put a 2 pin plug in then it's pretty normal. In the states they have (or they did when I went) the 2 pin system. Does does it ever spark in the states?

Mebe back in early 20th century but the three pin system has been code for a long time now!

[hazz]

There are a few probes with the wiring too, whilst the hais did see the sense in not following the Americans on 110v, they unfortunately decided to follow them on everything else. So we be shit American plugs, but also two wiring standards one with red/black and the other white/black. It would not be too much of a issue except that in the former black is neutral and the latter live. Not only cn this bugger up equipment, it can kill you too.

As for how the earth is handled between the fuse board and the transformer, there are multiple ways to do this, the correct way depends upon the configuration of the 10kv transformer supplying your house, getting wrong is dangerious and you will have to rely on the local electricity company to tell you which system out need to use, at which point you will need a real electrician to set it up for you, not something you can or should DIY.

As for 110v there are good reasons to go for this as its much safer when you have fools without an ounce of common sense between then, when one considers how hey hadle guns in the us... 110 v looks like a very good decision for them. And thinking about for Thailand too

[Boon Mee]

the us... 110 v looks like a very good decision for them. And thinking about for Thailand too

Indeed.

Double the voltage, 1/2 the amperage. It's what kills you is the current but the 'bite' from 110 is less.

[hazz]

Trueish but it's the voltage that pushes the current through and an important consideration in a wet chaotic environment like construction where we do use 110v. However everywhere else we have found the the uk population has enough common sense to handle 230v with considerable safety; I defiantly think the us government could make that assumption about their own people.

[DrAndy]

I love it when you boys talk dirty about things you know nothing about

[Boon Mee]

I love it when you boys talk dirty about things you know nothing about

I think hazz meant current 'pushing' the voltage thru.

Anyhow, electricity rates here in Thailand are too steep. Don't know what the kw/hr rate is but my bill is way too high...

[DrAndy]

electricity rates here in Thailand are too steep. Don't know what the kw/hr rate is but my bill is way too high...

they are cheap

about B4.5 a Kwhr for a private house, depending on use (they have a sliding scale)

about B7/9 for apartments

[hazz]

I love it when you boys talk dirty about things you know nothing about

That's quite a strange fetish you have there, Andy; not a former public school boy by any chance?

[Hypatia]

Excuse the bump

Re US 110 v

regrets for my ignorance- I guess using US made lamps is not a good idea? Could they be re wired?

[globin]

Excuse the bump

Re US 110 v

regrets for my ignorance- I guess using US made lamps is not a good idea? Could they be re wired?

Generally, the answer is yes, as low voltage stuff is rated by wattage, we have edison screw, bayonet style and a few other weird and wonderfull lamps and fittings here.