| Description: | In industries of diversified specifications, there is a big place for various kinds of equipment ranging from machinery to computers. All of them need sufficient voltage and good power quality to accomplish the respective industrial operations with greater efficiency. Nowadays, power quality concerns are prevalent in industries and they account for operational uncertainties. Upon finding better solutions for removing such concerns, the industries can get fruitful results. Get some useful information from this post that gives an idea of the common power quality problems and improvement methods.
What is Power Quality?
Power quality is nothing but the quality and amount of substantial voltage provided from the power supply to the final load or equipment. The electric and electronic devices – whether in industries, houses, shopping malls, or any other places – will need good power quality to run smoothly.
If there are any disturbances in the power supply, then the voltage levels and supply to the devices will be altered. So, their function will be disrupted – this will be showing an impact on the final device. Sometimes, the devices may get damaged and sometimes the functioning will be improper. You may not get normal results. This will be critical in case of sensitive equipment. So, everyone must ensure that they enable a good quality of power to the concerned devices.
Certain Disturbances Affecting Power Quality
As you know, sometimes, there will be alterations in the power supply. But, the industries or other customers should be aware of them and get away from the resulting serious effects. Otherwise, power quality varies and causes unnecessary issues. Some of the common disturbances or power quality problems are -
• Voltage surges or spikes
Often, there will be an increase in voltage levels. If there is an instantaneous rise in voltage then it is termed as a voltage spike and if this rise occurs after a longer duration of time then it is termed as a voltage surge. These voltage surges or spikes will account for the damage of equipment like computers and other high-tech machinery. The internal parts of some devices may be damaged. The ultimate effect will be on the power quality supplied to the devices.
• Under voltages
By the name itself you can understand that the voltage from the power supply is lower than that of the substantial amounts required for the devices. As enough voltage is not given to the load, it can’t function properly. Under voltages can also damage vital equipment like motors.
• High-voltage spikes
Sudden peak levels of voltage levels due to lightning strikes are often called as high-voltage spikes. This can be observed up to the levels of around 6,000 V. With this problem, the quality of power supplied to equipment is compulsorily affected – very huge losses are left to the industries if required care is not taken to avoid them. High-voltage spikes will damage the circuit boards and also account for data losses.
• Voltage Dips
Voltage dips or voltage sags are the under-voltages occurring for shorter duration. The magnitude of the voltage supply is reduced in the voltage sags – however, it slowly recovers within a certain small period of time. Any faults in the supply system or voltage interruption may cause voltage dips. They reduce the power quality supplied to the motors and other important industrial equipment.
• Frequency variations
Sometimes, the frequency of power supply changes from the normal range of 50 Hz or 60 Hz. Any unstable frequency power sources or improper operation of emergency generators can vary the frequency levels. As a result, the power quality disrupts and there will be many issues like program failure, data loss, equipment lock-up, or complete shutdown of the device.
• Voltage fluctuations
The amplitude or the magnitude of the voltage levels change frequently and are termed as voltage fluctuations. They are most common power quality problems in industrial activities. Also, improper power quality evident with voltage fluctuations can cause defects like the flickering of lighting and screens, unsteady visual perception, etc.
• Voltage Unbalance
In the three-phase power supply, the magnitudes of three voltages or the phase angle differences between them may occur. So, voltage unbalances also occur in such a current supply. This may not provide sufficient amounts of voltage levels to the three-phase loads. Therefore, many three-phase power applications are badly affected by voltage unbalances.
• Noise
When the high-frequency signals superimposed on the waveform of the power system frequency, then comes the noise. It disturbs the functioning of various devices like microwaves, televisions, welding machines, arc furnaces, etc.
Different Solutions for Improvement of Power Quality
As there are many reasons for the above-mentioned problems, it is necessary to find solutions to avoid the consequent damage. There are different solutions for improving power quality. Some of them are -
• Appropriate Wiring
It is essential to maintain an appropriate wiring system. One needs to check if there are any loose, missing, or improper wiring connections. It is very important to find the connection problems at panels, equipment, and receptacles.
Also, there are certain testers that can check any improper issues like reversed polarity. It is must and should to care for the isolating panels that feed sensitive electronic loads from heavy inductive loads.
• Adequate Grounding
A majority of industrial, commercial, medical, and other equipment are connected to computers and effective digital systems. It is necessary to enable adequate grounding of the systems to ensure good quality power. High-levels of safety is assured with accurate grounding and bonding integrity. Otherwise, you will be left with costly disturbances.
• Spectacular Power-Conditioning Equipment
Different types of power-conditioning equipment help in improving the power quality supplied to the final loads. Some of them are noise filters, isolation transformers, voltage regulators, and UPS.
• Noise Filters
In order to remove unwanted frequency signals and associated problems, noise filters have to be used. They are enabled by a combination of capacitors and inductance. Considerable frequencies of power supply can be suppressed and, therefore, the final quality of power output is good and efficient.
• Isolation Transformers
Isolation transformers separate the load or equipment from the main power supply through galvanic isolation. Also, there are certain other characteristic elements like capacitance ability in these transformers. So, they can also avoid certain noise levels. They are most helpful to avoid the defects caused by voltage fluctuations and power outages.
• Voltage Regulators
Regulation of voltage levels is possible through many devices like tap changers, buck boost transformers, constant voltage transformers, and so on. They ensure that substantial voltage levels are provided to the end-user equipment.
• UPS
Uninterrupted power supply systems allow a continuous flow of electricity to the concerned appliances. Different types of UPS systems like online UPS, line interactive UPS, and so on are available in the market to meet the demands of various power-based applications.
Servomax Limited is one of the best manufacturers of various kinds of power-conditioning equipment. It helps a wide range of customers by providing excellent power quality and avoid unwanted problems like operational and financial losses. |
