Power Quality Issues in mains distribution networks are becoming increasingly common, being driven by the accelerating uptake of energy efficient power electronics equipment.
Whilst these modern technologies offer efficiencies and improvements on the load side, they often result in pollution of the mains supply to which they are connected. This often results in adverse effects on the equipment itself, in addition to other loads connected to the same supply.
Poweronics has decades of experience in identifying, quantifying and solving many Power Quality problems across all industries and voltage levels.
The following table shows the most commonly occurring problems, likely causes, and the relevant solutions which can be applied in each case.
Typical Power Quality Problems
| Issue | Cause | Effects | Solution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harmonic Distortion | Motor Drives LED Lighting IT Equipment Welding Equipment | Motor overheating Cable overheatingAccelerated ageingPremature failure Increased costs | Active Harmonic Filters |
| Voltage Fluctuation | Load Fluctuations Poor Power Factor Weak supply network | Unstable load operationLoad maloperationNuisance tripping | Active Harmonic Filters Static VAr Generators Power Factor Correction |
| Poor Power Factor | Inductive LoadsAC Motors, DC motorswelding equipment | Increased supply demandOverloaded suppliesIncreased charges | Static VAr GeneratorsPower Factor Correction |
| Flicker | Rapidly switching loads | Unstable load operationLighting flickerEquipment maloperation | Active Harmonic Filters Static VAr Generators |
Poweronics’ Power Quality Solutions
| Technology / Solution | Equipment type / description | Typical Ratings |
|---|---|---|
| Active Harmonic Filter (AHF) | AFQm-M Wall-Mounting module AFQm-C Floor-Standing cabinet AFQm-R Rackmount module | 30A to > 800A 100A to > 1200A 100A to > 800A |
| Static VAr Generator (SVG) | SVGm-M Wall-Mounting SVGm-C Floor-Standing cabinet SVGm-R Rackmount module | 30kVAr to > 600kVAr 100kVAr to > 1200kVAr 100kVAr to > 1200kVAr |
| Power Factor Correction (PFC) | OPTIM Standard PFC cabinetOPTIM-FRS Detuned PFC cabinet OPTIM-FRE Thyristor-Switch cabinet | 12.5kVAr to 1200kVAr 25kVAr to 1200kVAr 150kVAr to 1200kVAr |