A Review of power quality problems, standards and solutions

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International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET)

e-ISSN: 2395 -0056

Volume: 04 Issue: 01 | Jan -2017

p-ISSN: 2395-0072

www.irjet.net

A Review of Power Quality Problems, Standards and Solutions Pradeep Kumar M.E Student, Department of Electrical Engineering, National Institute of Technical Teachers’ Training and Research, Chandigarh-160019 pradeep02334@gmail.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------***--------------------------------------------------------------------Abstract - Power quality has become a major area of 2.1 Voltage fluctuations concern in present era due to the increase in modern sensitive and sophisticated loads connected to the Distribution System. The electrical devices or equipments are prone to failure when exposed to one or more power quality problems. The electrical device might be an electric motor, a transformer, a generator, a computer, a printer, communication equipment, or a household appliance reacts adversely to power quality issues depending on the severity of problems. This paper presents a review of the power quality problems, issues, related international standards and the solution techniques. Some power quality enhancement devices are also listed. It is necessary for engineers, technicians, and system operators to become familiar with power quality issues.

Key Words: Power quality issues, IEEE-519, Power Conditioning Devices, Voltage spikes, Frequency variation, voltage sag, Harmonics.

1.INTRODUCTION Power Quality (PQ) related problems are of most concern nowadays. The widespread application of electronic equipments, like, information technology equipment, power electronic based equipments such as adjustable speed drives (ASD), programmable logic controllers (PLC), energyefficient lighting, are completely changing the nature of electric loads. The applications of such kind of electric loads are the major victims of power quality problems. Due to their non-linearity, such kind of electric loads cause disturbances in the voltage waveform. This paper discusses the major power quality problems, related international standards and solutions based on an extensive number of publications.

2. TYPES OF POWER QUALITY PROBLEMS There are several aspects of power quality problems due to which an electrical device may malfunction, fail prematurely or not operate at all. Some of the most common power supply problems and their likely effect on sensitive equipment.

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Voltage fluctuations are caused by arc furnaces, frequent start/stop of electric motors (for instance elevators), oscillating loads. Consequences are under voltages, flickering of lighting and screens, giving the impression of unsteadiness of visual perception.

2.2 Voltage dips and under voltage Short duration under-voltages are called “Voltage Sags” or “Voltage Dips [IEC]”. Voltage sag is a decrease to between 0.1 and 0.9 pu in rms voltage or current at the power frequency for durations from 0.5 cycle to 1 min. The main causes of voltage dips are fault in the system, starting of large loads. Excessive network loading, loss of generation, incorrectly set transformer taps and voltage regulator malfunctions, causes under voltage which indirectly lead to overloading problems as equipment takes an increased current to maintain power output (e.g. motor loads).

2.3 Voltage swell Voltage swell is defined as an increase to between 1.1 and 1.8 pu in rms voltage or current at the power frequency for durations from 0.5 cycle to 1 min. The major causes are Start/stop of heavy loads, badly dimensioned power sources, badly regulated transformers (mainly during offpeak hours). Consequences are data loss, flickering of lighting and screens, stoppage or damage of sensitive equipment, if the voltage values are too high.

2.4 Very short interruption Total interruption of electrical supply for duration from few milliseconds to one or two seconds causes ripping of protection devices, loss of information and malfunction of data processing equipment. Mainly due to the opening and automatic reclosure of protection devices to decommission a faulty section of the network.

2.5 Long interruption Long interruption of electrical supply for duration greater than 1 to 2 seconds causes stoppage of all equipment. The main fault causes are Equipment failure in the power system network, storms and objects (trees, cars, etc) striking lines

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