Calculation of Flicker levels For Different Motor Starts Using Matlab

Hector Urbina School of Engineering Systems Queensland University of Technology 2 George Street, Brisbane 4000, Australia Email: h.urbina@student.qut.edu.au ABSTRACT
This paper presents the implementation of a program with a Graphical User Interface (GUI) that calculates flicker levels for induction motors depending on their starting operation mode. The GUI implements a standardized method of calculating flicker levels at different points in the network including at the transformer primary and secondary sides and at the substation terminals. This program developed in matlab, requires the user to input certain data including the motors power rating, power factor and efficiency. A separate excel data file containing the utilitys different varieties of substations, transformers and feeders is interfaced with Matlab so the user can specify the components of the network were the motor flicker arises. The main program converts impedances to per unit. These impedances at the point of common coupling (PCC) are used as a reference to calculate the voltage change caused by the changing current during transient. This is used to calculate the flicker level using the flicker evaluation methods as outline in Australian Standard AU/NZ 61000.3.7:2001. The program implements a convenient way to calculate flicker were the utilities infrastructure (substations, transformers etc) are standardize and offers a fast way of checking whether particular customer load can be connected to a certain network configurations without coursing excessive flicker.

Firuz Zare School of Engineering Systems Queensland University of Technology 2 George Street, Brisbane 4000, Australia f.zare@qut.edu.au
perception and incandescent light bulbs. Humans can be very sensitive to light flicker that is caused by voltage fluctuations. Traditionally the flicker curve in figure 1 illustrates the level of perception of light flicker from a 60 watt incandescent bulb for rectangular variations. The human perception of flicker depends on the rate of change of voltage in percentage and the frequency of rectangular voltage changes per minute.

dV/V% Rectangular Voltage Change per minute

Figure 1: Voltage changes that will result in perceptible light flicker with a 60 watt incandescent light bulb.

There are two measurements of flicker. One is the short term flicker severity level (Pst) which is taken from a ten minute period and the other is the long term flicker severity level (Plt) taken over a two hour period. The Plt flicker is the summation of twelve consecutive Pst measurements. The AS/NZ 61000.7.3 standard gives limits and evaluation procedures for equipment connected to medium voltage (1k to 35k) and high voltage (35k to 230k) supply systems. The standard is very clear about compatibility levels which are for coordinating the emission and immunity levels of equipment to ensure Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) in the whole system. The compatibility levels are based on 95% probability levels of disturbances. Recognizing that it is not always possible to maintain flicker levels within these compatibility levels, the limit is that 95% of the long term flicker values (Plt) should be less than 1.0 in one week measurement period. The planning levels are the utilitys internal quality objectives in calculating the impact on the supply systems loading of customers.

1. INTRODUCTION
Flicker arises from large enough voltage fluctuations where voltage magnitudes vary due to fast load changes. If this variation is large enough, equipment within a certain critical frequency range can result in annoying flicker of lamps and other electrical goods may experience disturbances [1]. Customers of utility networks may complain about annoying light flicker that may possibly arise from internal flicker sources including air conditioners, washers, refrigerators, dryers, welders, motors etc. Voltage changes can be sinusoidal, rectangular, triangular and periodic. The AS/NZ 61000.7.3 standard contains shape factor curves that allow the calculation of motor flicker resulting from such wave forms [2]. Flicker is a very specific problem related to human

These planning levels are decided by the utility however; the standard gives indicative values [2]. The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) along with the Union for Electroheat (UIE), the Electric Power Research Institution (EPRI) and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) have made corporative efforts to allow the IEC standard to be modified for a variety of lighting technologies and promote a universal standard [3]. This universal standard approach has been adopted for voltage flicker and AS/NZ standard has conformed to this norm. It is indicated that Europe has also accepted this norm and it is implemented as a standard [4]. This program may be further developed and could be of interest to power utilities around the world where the IEC standard is used. This program concentrates on residential/commercial connections of induction motors. Using the program allows the utility to assess whether the motor can be connected and the flicker severity level at different point in the network can be checked to be within the desired planning levels.

2. 3. 4.

Triangular Sinusoidal Double Step

The necessary impedances of the components from the utility are stored in excel data file which are retrieve once the component is chosen. The program flow chart and architecture graphically explain the sequence of the program methodology.

2. PROGRAM METHODOLOGY
To calculate flicker levels for a fluctuating load we need to have the program calculate the point of common coupling in per unit, find the voltage drop of the load form the transient and then perform a flicker calculation using the flicker time method and proper shape factor. Flicker levels at different points in the network can be calculated by simple voltage divider rule. The program is a friendly graphical user interface (GUI) that allows the user input parameters on the motor and the electrical connection of the power system. The parameters needed from the motor entered by the user include: 1. Motor Size in KW 2. Motor Starting Power Factor 3. Motor Running Power Factor 4. Efficiency 5. Current Multiplier (Only if selected by the user) 6. Frequency of Motor Starts (Voltage Change per minute) The user can also select the mode of operation for starting, they include: 1. Direct on Line (DOL) 1. Start/Delta 2. Know Starting Current 3. Single Phase/SWER The characteristics for the single line network selected by the user include: 1. High Voltage Feeder 2. Substation 3. Low Voltage Feeder 4. Distribution Transformer The user can also select the shape factor which includes: 1. Rectangular

Figure 2: Program flow chart and method of calculations

Vs = Vr + ( R.I p + X .I q ) + j ( X .I p R.I q ) Vs = Vr + ( R.I p + X .I q )

Represent as voltage change

(4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) (10)

Equating only the real parts and ignoring imaginary parts

Vs + Vs = Vr + Vr + V
V = R.I p + X .I q

The change in voltage of the load is equal to

I p = I cos I q = I sin V = R.I cos + X .I sin

Similar analysis may be found in [5-7].
Figure 3: Program architecture and methodology

3. VOLTAGE CHANGE AND COURSES

The voltage fluctuations occur when loads draw current having significant sudden or periodic variations and fluctuating current drawn from the supply causes additional voltage drops in the power system leading to fluctuations in the supply voltage [5]. Rapid fluctuation in load currents are attributed to motor starting operations where the motor current is 3-5 times the rated current for a short period of time. Other electrical devices include Arc furnaces, Arc welder and Air conditioners with frequent motor starts. The voltage variations are strongly dependant to the network impedance at the PCC and therefore flicker calculations should always be related to the network impedance or short-circuit power at the PCC. 3.1. CALCULATION OF VOLTAGE CHANGE For the calculation of voltage drop, consider a model of a fluctuating load in figure 4 with a voltage source Vs , a resistance of R and a reactance of X. This resistance and reactance can be thought of as a feeder cable suppling electricity to the consumer. The voltage Vr is the voltage scene by the consumer at the PPC. The load current I represents the transient current in the load.

4. SINGLE LINE ANALYSIS

The program needs inputs from the user specifying parameters of the network to be analyzed including substation, transformer and feeder impedances in per unit to calculate the PCC. A typical configuration of a direct on-line (DOL) assessment of flicker levels can be seen below.

Figure 5: DOL assessment for a disturbing load

Impedance Z AB between measuring points A and B may be a HV-MV transformer or feeder. Flicker measurement relies upon the superposition principle to calculate voltage fluctuation sources. The differential voltage fluctuation is defined as Vdiff = V A VB (11) When the superposition principle is applied and there is a simultaneous fluctuating load connected at A and B, the differential voltage is given by Vdiff = Vdiff ( A) + Vdiff ( B) = Vdiff ( A) (12) This shows the fact that when the disturbance at point A is switched on, the voltage fluctuation coursed at point A is due to the disturbing load A. When the disturbing load at point A is switched off the voltage fluctuations at point A is exclusively caused by fluctuation loads at point B. V A ( B ) = V B ( B ) (13) This equation states that when A is off that the voltage change at point A is going to be the same in voltage B [8]. Therefore; Vdiff (B ) = V A ( B ) VB ( B) = 0 (14) To conclude in this section

Figure 4: Simple power system

This analysis can be used to calculate voltage drop when the load is turned on and draws a current [6].

Vs = Vr + I ( R + jX )

(1) (2) (3)

I = I p jI q
Vs = Vr + ( I p jI q ) ( R + jX )

Vdiff is related to the

impedance between A and B so we have;

Network information menu box. Selection of substation, transformer, LV and HV Feeders Motor Characteristics menu box. Input motor size, starting power factor, running power factor, efficiency, multiplier, number of voltage change per minute
Figure 6: DOL assessment for a disturbing load

Starting method menu box. Select to start motor in DOL, Star/Delta, Known Starting Current or Single Phase/SWER Flicker level output at motor terminals, primary side of transformer, secondary side of transformer and at substation. Shape factor selection box. Rectangular, triangular, ramp, double step Calculate Flicker push button

Vdiff = Vdiff ( A) = Z AB I

(15)

6. GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE

The GUI application was developed in Matlab. The main code is located after the push button1 call back function. Matlab uses a structure call handles to update information. Certain variables such as the ones input by the user need constant updating and this is done by the handles structure every time the push button Calculate Flicker is pressed.

To calculate the flicker levels at different stages of the network, voltage divider rule may be applied once the flicker from the disturbing load is calculated

5. FLICKER CALCULATION METHOD

The AS/NZ 61000.7.3 standard states an international method to calculate Pst and Plt. This program uses the direct on line measurement and the flicker time method in [2, 8]. The program will also get some information from the user to define the nature of the voltage change whether it is a rectangular, sinusoidal, triangular or periodic and different motor mode which affects the current multiplier. Once the characteristics of the voltage drop are chosen then the voltage fluctuation is a single-step voltage (e.g. rectangular, ramp, triangular, double step.). Flicker will then be calculated using flicker time method [2].

6.1.

PROGRAM NETWORK CONFIGURATION

The configuration of the network which the flicker is calculated follows the order of a generator connected to a high voltage feeder connected to a substation connected to a low voltage feeder connected to a distribution transformer connected to the load.

Figure 5: Network configuration

By definition

Pst = 3

10 min

(Flicker Time Method)

(16)

The option also exists for the user to not select any high voltage and/or no low voltage feeders that will simulate a motor connected directly to the substation.

t f = 2.3.(100.d .F ) 3
Where d = Voltage change F = The voltage shape factor

7. EXAMPLE OF APPLICATION
It is desired to find out if we can connect a 10 KW motor and connect it to 66/22 KV substation without exceeding planning levels set be the utility at a flicker severity index of 0.9. The generator is 100 km away from the substation and the load (motor) is 50 km away from the substation. The motor has a starting power factor of 0.3

and a running power factor of 0.8; it is desired to firstly try to connect the motor direct on line. The program now requires for the user to input the characteristics mention in the question, select a high and low voltage feeder cable, type in the distance of the cable and select a distribution transformer that steps down 22k volts to 415V.

8. CONCLUSIONS
The voltage drops due to different motor starts affect lighting apparatuses connected to the network. This consequently also affects the power quality supplied by the utility. This program aids in the analysis of power quality by calculating flicker for a single line network consisting of different substations, transformers and feeders. The development of a GUI to calculate flicker levels in Matlab offer a feasible way to aid in the assessment of flicker coursing loads. This program concentrates only on induction motor starts; however, there is other electrical equipment which the same analysis can be applied to. Future development of the program can involve similar applications for arc furnaces and other nonlinear loads. This program uses the international flicker assessment standards and can help utilities achieve a great efficiency in supplying quality power.

REFERENCES
[1] M.M. Morcos, J. C. Gomez, Flicker Sources and Mitigation IEEE Power Engineering Review, November 2002 pp.5-10. AS/NZ Standard 61000.3.7 Part 3.7 Jan 2001; Limits-Assessment of Emission Limits for Fluctuating Loads in MV and HV Power Systems S. M. Halpin, R. Bergeron, T. Blooming, R. F. Burch, L. E. Conrad, T.S. Key, Voltage and Lamp Flicker Issues: Should the IEEE Adopt the IEC Approach IEEE Power Engineering Review Volume 18, Issue 3, July 2003 Page(s):1088 1097. M.M. Morcos, J. C. Gomez, Flicker Measurements and Light Effect IEEE Power Engineering Review, November 2002 pp.11-15. Handbook Power quality-Recommendations for the application of AS/NZ 61000.3.6 and AS/NZ 61000.3.7 Voltage Fluctuations in the Electric Supply system Power Quality Centre, University of Wollongong Technical Note No7 August 2003 P. Goossens, A. Robert, E. De Jaeger, Assessment of the flicker emission of fluctuating loads Quality of Security of Electrical Supply conference proceedings February 2001 Session 5 paper 4. D.E Jaeger, E. Measurement and Evaluation of the Flicker Emission Level from a Particular Fluctuation Load 2nd Draft. CIGRE/CIRED WGCC02, June 2000.

Figure 6: GUI with data input from the user

[2]

At the motor terminal the flicker level is 1.05418, this is above the planning levels of 0.9 that the utility hoping to achieve in total. The available option is to access whether the motor would achieve its desired planning levels if the motor is started in a star/delta configuration which minimizes the starting transient current.

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

Figure 7: GUI with data in star delta start

[8]

Now at the motor terminals the flicker severity level has decreased to 0.351392 due to the star/delta mode selection. This is below planning levels of 0.9 and it is acceptable for connection. If multiple motor or various voltage fluctuation load have to be connected to the transformer, the individual flicker levels are summed together using the general summation law [2].

Pst = 3

P
i

sti

(17)