White Paper No. 18
The Seven Types of Power Problems and Their Impact on Electrical Equipment
The Seven Types of Power Problems and Their Impact on Electrical Equipment
White Paper No. 18
This Schneider Electric White paper “The Seven Types of Power Problems” elaborates on the complexities of electrical power quality and its impact on today’s technology-reliant world. It discusses seven primary power quality disturbances, each defined by changes in voltage, current, or frequency, adversely affecting electrical equipment. These disturbances are:
Transients: Brief, high-energy bursts of voltage or current, either impulsive or oscillatory, often caused by lightning or equipment switching.
Interruptions: Temporary or sustained losses of power supply, with varying durations and causes, such as grid damage or circuit breaker tripping.
Sags/Undervoltage: Reductions in AC voltage, frequently triggered by system faults or heavy startup loads.
Swells/Overvoltage’s: Increases in AC voltage, potentially caused by high-impedance connections or load reductions.
Waveform Distortion: Includes DC offset, harmonics, interharmonics, notching, and noise, often caused by electronic devices or faulty equipment.
Voltage Fluctuations: Systematic or random voltage changes, typically caused by large loads like arc furnaces.
Frequency Variations: Rare in stable grids but can occur in sites with dedicated generators or poor power infrastructure.
The white paper emphasizes the importance of understanding these power issues to protect sensitive electronic equipment, reduce downtime, and prevent data corruption. It advocates for the use of consistent terminology (as per IEEE standards) to effectively communicate and address power quality problems. The power quality challenges mentioned can be eliminated through the use of a properly configured Uninterruptable Power Supply System, learn more Here…
