POWER QUALITY

Power quality is a set of electrical boundaries that allows a piece of equipment to function in its intended manner
without significant loss of performance or life expectancy.

Effects of Power Quality on Equipment

There are two major categories of how power quality problems affect equipment:
1. Equipment Operating Problems
2. Component Damage

Types of Power Quality Problems

There are generally two basic types of power quality problems: (1) those created by the switching of electrical loads
or entire circuits and (2) those caused by the interaction of electrical equipment and the electrical supply system.
Extended Outages. Extended outages are the most recognizable type of disturbance. They are usually the result of
permanent electrical faults.
Momentary Interruptions. Momentary interruptions are temporary total loss of voltage and are often caused by the
operation of automatic overcurrent protective devices.
Sags. Sags are voltage levels lower than nominal for periods of 2s or less. Voltage sags may be the result of (1) large
loads such as motors or electric welders on the same circuit, (2) bus voltage collapse on the electric supply
distribution circuit from motor starting, or (3) electrical faults on circuits supplied from the source.
Surges. Surges are temporary voltage increases with duration similar to sags. Surges may be caused by lightning or
the switching of large loads.
System Disturbances. Surges and disturbances occur in a transmission circuit when circuit conditions are in any
way altered. Disturbances may be produced by causes within system itself, such as switching, grounds, or charges of
load, or they may be produced by external causes, such as lightning.
Impulses and Noise. Impulses are overvoltage conditions lasting for less than one-half cycle. Because of the
waveform impulses are sometimes called spikes or transients. Lighting or switching may cause impulses or
transients.
Noise is a repetitive impulse superimposed on the power sine wave. Radio transmitters, fluorescent lights,
battery charges, computers, and loose electrical connections may cause electrical noise.
Harmonics. Harmonic distortion is a form of electrical noise. It is the superposition of signals at multiples of the
fundamental power frequency on the power sine wave.
Frequency Deviations. Frequency deviation is rarely a problem, especially where multiple electric supply generating
systems join to form a utility grid system.

Power Conditioning Equipment

1. Transient Voltage Surge Suppressors
2. Motor-Generator Sets
3. UPS and Standby Power Supplies

Other Methods for Addressing Power Quality Problems

1. Adding Capacitors to DC Supplies
2. Isolating Sensitive Equipment Sections
3. Changing Transformer Taps