POWER QUALITY

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A perfect storm of power quality

Why is power quality getting worse?

New to Power Quality? Read this background article.

  • Increased demand for electricity

  • Electrification of loads

  • Aging infrastructure

  • Increased use of sensitive electronic equipment

  • Climate change and extreme weather

  • Regulatory and standardization challenges

  • Integration of renewable energy resources

  • Increased demand for electricity

    As the world becomes more technologically advanced, the demand for electricity has increased. This increased demand can stress the electrical grid, leading to power quality issues such as voltage fluctuations and power outages.

    Electrification of loads

    Many facilities are converting gas-powered assets to electrical ones as they aim for a more sustainable footprint, including EVs and heating. This increased electrical load can overload circuits and create harmonics and unbalanced voltage across phases

    Aging infrastructure

    In many regions, electrical infrastructure is aging and not well-maintained. This can lead to frequent power quality problems, such as interruptions, sags, and swells in voltage.

    Increased use of sensitive electronic equipment

    Modern electronic devices and industrial machinery are often more sensitive to power quality issues. Even minor fluctuations in voltage or frequency can disrupt their operation, making power quality more critical.

    Climate change and extreme weather

    Climate change is leading to more extreme weather events like hurricanes, floods, and wildfires, which can damage power infrastructure and cause power quality issues.

    Regulatory and standardization challenges

    In some regions, the lack of stringent regulations and standards for power guality can contribute to more frequent issues, as there is less pressure on utilities and industries to maintain high power guality standards.

    Integration of renewable energy resources

    The integration of renewable energy sources like solar and wind power, which are intermittent by nature, can cause fluctuations in power supply. These fluctuations can lead to power qualitv issues if the grid is not properly equipped to handle the variable nature of these power sources.

80% of power quality issues come from inside a facility
Power quality issues cost a typical company 4% of revenues
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When ignored, bad power quality can lead to:

  • Higher maintenance and equipment costs

  • Higher energy costs and emissions

  • Unplanned outages and downtime

  • Property damage and safety risk

  • Higher maintenance and equipment costs

    Bad power quality accelerates wear on motors, cables, busbars and other assets, meaning more maintenance hours and costly equipment replacement.

    Higher energy costs and emissions

    Power quality issues are like a tax on electricity, converting some of the energy into waste heat or vibration. So you have to generate more energy to get enough.

    Additionally, utilities often charge penalties when power quality inpacts the grid. When you consume more energy than you really need, your site emissions also increase beyond the ideal.

    Unplanned outages and downtime

    Outages from equipment breakage causes losses from spoiled semi-finished product and idle time.

    Property damage and safety risk

    If left unresolved, power quality issues can result in fires, equipment breakage and personnel injury or death. It is important to avoid these outcomes at all costs.

Watch these videos from our partner to understand more about the causes and impacts of bad power quality

How to find and fix bad power quality

OBSERVE

When you notice the first symptom, it’s time to act. Lights flickering, breakers tripping, heat, vibration, motor faults or if your power distribution system is doing something you don’t understand.

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INVESTIGATE & DIAGNOSE

Do you have a power quality monitoring system?

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RENT A PORTABLE METER

After you’ve rented the portable, AZZO will provide you with a detailed power quality analysis identifying the cause of the issues and recommendations to fix them.

ANALYSE POWER QUALITY

Use the analysis features of the monitoring system to diagnose the root cause of the issues.  Consider hiring a power quality expert to assist with the investigation

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FIX

Adjust equipment settings and/or install power quality correction equipment

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4. CONTINUOUSLY MONITOR

If you don’t already have one, install a monitoring system to be able to continuously monitor and analyze power quality

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MONITOR & ANALYZE POWER QUALITY

FIX POWER QUALITY ISSUES

Solutions

AZZO is a certified commissioning agent for Accusine Active Harmonic Filters.

A portable electronic testing kit in a black case with foam padding, containing a yellow device, various cables, connectors, and measurement tools for electrical diagnostics.

EnergyX® Portable Meter and Power Quality Analysis Report

  • A basic assessment of your electrical network's power quality health. If you are just starting out in the power quality arena, this is a great way to get started. Read this link to learn more.

  • Rent or buy an EnergyX Portable meter with a complimentary power quality analysis report

  • We’ll analyse and interpret the data and provide you with a report that outlines all issues detected, their root cause and recommendations to fix them.

    One free analysis is included with your EnergyX Portable purchase or rental

Industrial electrical panels and equipment, including Schneider PowerLogic devices, in an electrical control room.

  • Dynamically detects and corrects harmonics by injecting compensating current into the power system

  • Adds capacitive load to the power system to correct power factor

  • Protects sensitive loads from voltags sags, swells and other disturbances

Power Quality Correction Equipment

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EnergyX® with Power Monitoring & Analysis

  • ION Power meters are the most accurate & intelligent power meters available, measuring thousands of power quality and energy variables and transmitting them to the software system.

  • The EnergyX® platform is the world’s leading power quality and energy management solution.

Learn More