Poor power quality affect electronic systems that drive automated processes in buildings and facilities.
In as much as they enhance efficiency, they leave behind consequences at great cost.
It is therefore, important to know what causes these problems in order to eliminate and mitigate these problems.
Power quality problems are caused by environmental and weather conditions, facility internal distribution system and loads
The internal distribution system is the major culprit contributing about 80% of all power quality problems.
Grounding / wiring systems, corroded connections, defective electrical devices, overloaded circuits, and improper bondings are just some of the culprits
The variable speed drives (VSD’s), microprocessor based devices, lightning and battery charger loads contribute to the resulting poor quality of electrical power in a circuit. Internal loads can also cause low power factor, harmonic distortions and many PQ issues such as sags, swells and transients etc.
Sources of PQ problems in order of frequency of occurrences are
User electrical distribution and grounding;
User loads
Weather related…lightning, wind, rain, etc
Utility distribution
Utility transmission
Utility generation.
From electric power generation, transmission, distribution, point of common connection (PCC), that is at the meter to the equipment of the end user. Power quality problems are seen throughout the chain as can be shown below.
Scope of PQ
The scopes of power quality cover but not limited to the Grounding & Wiring, Voltage Disturbances & Power Conditioning, and Lightning & Surge Protection.
Harmonics and Power factor correction and Electromagnetic compatibility EMC (EMI & ESD) are all part of power quality.
Understanding the full spectrum of these issues, from their fundamentals, their characteristics, nature, signatures, how they occur and how they affect systems is key to the power quality engineer in resolving, mitigating and offering cost- effective solutions to power quality problems.
How do we find solutions to power quality problems? Power Quality-Overview IV
Contact us
Victor Oyedu, FNSE, FNIEEE, CPQ.
Power Quality and Energy Management Specialist.
Publisher at Afrienergyonline.com
CEO, FullSpectrum Energy Solutions Limited, Nigeria.
