Power Quality Analysis
Power quality monitoring has been SATEC’s core expertise since its foundation. Over the years our solutions have evolved to include numerous helpful features and advantages within the field of power quality analysis:
This important field of power systems, well known to network operators, is oft a novelty to the unaware energy consumer.
Power quality, or PQ for short, relates to the reliability and consistency of the electricity supply and voltage delivered by the grid. This is reflected in the stability of parameters such as voltage and frequency. Since the grid is an ecosystem, overall power quality is determined not only by utility sourced events in generation, transmission and distribution, but rather also by client/consumer behavior. The character of electric loads feeding off the power grid also influence power quality. Either way, events occurring anywhere in throughout the grid can impact their surroundings, if not the whole national, or even international grid, depending on event magnitude.
Classical PQ events include sudden drops or rises in voltage, called sags and swells. Likewise, considerable deviations in frequency can be detrimental. Ramifications of compromised power quality include damage to equipment, eye fatigue and in extreme cases – fire hazards and blackouts.
Power quality analyzers, such as SATEC offers, are normally situated in a network operator’s substation or at the grid connection of a client/facility. The functionality is identical but harbors different interests. Since faulty power quality can damage equipment, the client wants to record and document such cases and claim damages from the operator. Accordingly, the operator must conduct its own independent monitoring, to confirm or dispute such claims and of course, simply to provide internal alerts for power quality issues, before any damage is incurred.
Voltage dips or swells, for example, occur as the result of sudden events within the network, such as short circuits, the energizing of a transformer or the introduction of big loads. For example, a big industrial client who turns on an induction motor could cause a notable sag of voltage experienced by neighboring facilities as well. Determining this is extremely important for a network operator for preventing such events and for deflecting claims from clients.
Symmetrical (three-phase) dips and swells are analyzed using the relative level of the fault or inrush current and the fundamental power angle. Asymmetric (single-phase and two-phase) dips and swells can be analyzed using the negative sequence power angle or, in the case of insufficient information, using the fundamental power angle.
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