Power Quality

Where this fits

Voltage, waveform and disturbance characteristics that affect electrical equipment and processes.

Core system ideas

Power quality can involve voltage sags/swells, interruptions, harmonics, transients and other waveform conditions.

Sensitive industrial and electronic loads may respond differently to the same disturbance.

The source can be on the utility network, within a customer facility, or at the interface.

Interfaces and tradeoffs

Reliability involves both routine adequacy and the ability to remain within acceptable conditions after disturbances. Fast controls, reserves, protection, asset condition and trained operators contribute at different timescales.

What organizations measure

Voltage variation, harmonics, interruptions and event frequency.