It’s summer. It’s hotter than hot. And you look at that HVAC every day with love and admiration—thankful for modern-day air conditioning. It’s a lifeline for many of us on these blazing hot days and nights.

Can you even imagine life without it? Ask anyone whose HVAC failed about that experience. It’s miserable. Most homes are not equipped to cool without an HVAC, and if your system breaks down, you’re in for some long, hot, humid days and nights. This is why you should consider making sure your HVAC is fully protected from damaging electrical events, including the now common voltage swings.

What’s a voltage swing?

Voltage swings are when the voltage either drops below the normal operating level or it spikes, sending an unexpected surge into an appliance. Most people are familiar with electrical surges or spikes and the damage they can cause, but undervoltage can be just as harmful. Voltage changes create wear and tear on all electronics, including modern “smart” appliances designed to be more electrically efficient.

Undervoltage refers to a condition where the voltage in an electrical circuit drops below the normal level. Causes include:

  • Heavy Load Conditions: When several electrical devices or high-power equipment operate simultaneously, the demand for electricity can exceed supply, causing a voltage drop.
  • Faulty Electrical Connections: Loose or corroded connections can increase resistance, leading to a significant voltage drop across the connection.
  • Long Distribution Lines: In areas where power needs to travel long distances, resistance in the wires can cause voltage to drop by the time it reaches the end-user.
  • Transformer Failures: A malfunction or failure in a transformer can result in reduced voltage output to the connected loads.
  • Utility Supply Issues: Problems within the power supply infrastructure, such as generation or distribution issues, can lead to undervoltage conditions. Note – we have a whitepaper called “Best Practices for Dealing with the Aging Power Infrastructure.”

Overvoltage is a more commonly known situation when the voltage exceeds the normal levels like in an electrical surge or spike. Causes include:

  • Lightning Strikes: Direct or nearby lightning strikes can induce high voltages in electrical systems.
  • Switching Surges: Sudden changes in load, such as turning large motors or equipment on and off, can create voltage spikes.
  • Power Supply Fluctuations: Inconsistent power supply from the grid, often due to generator switching or load balancing issues, can lead to overvoltage conditions.
  • Faulty Regulation Equipment: Malfunctioning voltage regulators or control equipment can fail to maintain proper voltage levels, leading to overvoltage.
  • Load Shedding: When certain loads are suddenly disconnected from the system, the sudden drop in demand can cause a temporary increase in voltage.

Whether it’s undervoltage or overvoltage, it’s a problem. Undervoltage can lead to reduced efficiency, overheating, and malfunction of electrical equipment. Overvoltage can cause insulation breakdown, equipment failure, and potential fire hazards. Neither is a good option.

Why these swings matter.

These days many appliances, including our A/C units, are more intelligent than ever. As of January 2023, they must meet a new national standard for efficiency. In order to meet the high-efficiency standards, our A/Cs are equipped with fancier electronics that now smart control the systems. The electronics take into account ambient air and humidity, and they run at a speed that’s more efficient with the intention of saving power.  When they work correctly, life is great. But when the systems are hit repeatedly with voltage swings, the fluctuating voltage creates wear and tear on the electronics in the HVAC system. This can result in an unexpected breakdown of the system with even newer systems being impacted.

The result is often costly repairs or replacement. Let’s be honest, that A/C system is easily the most expensive appliance in your home. You may not look at it every day or even think about its usage, but it’s working there 24/7 to maintain a comfortable temperature and humidity level. Replacing it is enough to give anyone sticker shock.

Protection is easy and inexpensive.

To ensure the quality and efficiency of your modern-day HVAC system, you need a protection device that can keep up with the newer electronics—one that is also smarter and can monitor voltage swings. The KG2 Intelligent Voltage Monitoring system, specifically the DTK-KG2 model from DITEK, is designed to protect HVAC equipment from harmful undervoltage and overvoltage events. This system monitors the input power and disconnects the power supply when voltage levels fall outside the preprogrammed limits, helping to prevent damage to those sensitive electronic and mechanical components.

The DTK-KG2 is particularly useful for protecting inverter-driven compressor systems and mini-splits, ensuring the longevity and reliability of HVAC systems by maintaining stable voltage levels.

And the exceptionally good news is the DTK-KG2 only costs a few hundred dollars. It’s a low-cost, one-time insurance policy for that expensive HVAC system that should it break down or need repairs, would easily set you back thousands and thousands of dollars to replace or repair it. Those modern-day smart electronics may be designed for efficiency, but they come with a significant price tag, comparable to buying a car!

The DTK-KG2 Intelligent Voltage Monitor will disconnect power during abnormal voltage events to prevent damage​ and save your HVAC from needing repairs or replacement.

Key features of the DTK-KG2 include:

  • Protection for 120/240VAC or 120/208VAC split phase circuits up to 40A: This makes it suitable for various HVAC applications.
  • Auto-calibration: The unit automatically adjusts to the specific input voltage, eliminating the need for manual calibration.
  • Surge Protection: Incorporates DITEK’s advanced surge protection technology to safeguard against transient voltage spikes.
  • Diagnostic LEDs: Red and green LEDs indicate the current-voltage condition, providing easy-to-read diagnostics.
  • Durable Enclosure: Housed in a UL Type 4X polycarbonate enclosure, the unit is designed for harsh outdoor environments.

It’s an Intelligent Voltage Monitor for your intelligent appliances.

The DTK-KG2 is not to be confused with a voltage regulator. The DTK-KG2 simply determines if the voltage is too high or too low so the voltage swing doesn’t damage the system. Basically, it acts as a traffic cop to make sure the voltage is good before entering your HVAC. And if it’s not in a suitable range, the DTK- KG2 shuts down the system to further the lifespan of its elaborate electronics.

An HVAC system is easily the most expensive appliance that most people buy for their home. Why not make sure it operates easily and efficiently with an inexpensive intelligent voltage monitoring device? It’s worth the pennies of prevention to keep you consistently cool on the warmest of days.

To see a DTK-KG2 in operation, check out the short video on our website and YouTube channel.