In today's technology-driven world, the quality of electrical power is a critical factor for businesses, industries, and households. Power quality refers to the consistency, stability, and reliability of the electrical supply, directly impacting the performance and longevity of electrical and electronic equipment. Whether in hospitals, data centers, factories, or commercial buildings, poor power quality can cause equipment failures, process disruptions, and safety hazards, leading to financial losses and operational inefficiencies.
Understanding the factors that affect power quality and implementing effective mitigation strategies is essential for ensuring the efficient and uninterrupted operation of electrical systems.
Power quality is a measure of how well the supplied electricity meets the required characteristics—such as voltage, frequency, and waveform stability. Ideally, an electrical system should deliver a continuous, smooth sinusoidal voltage without disturbances.
However, real-world power systems often experience fluctuations and distortions due to external factors (such as grid disturbances and neighboring facilities) or internal issues (such as non-linear loads and faulty equipment). These power irregularities can degrade performance, reduce efficiency, and increase maintenance costs.
Electrical devices are designed to operate within specific voltage ranges. Any fluctuations—whether overvoltage or undervoltage—can lead to inefficiencies, malfunctions, or even damage to equipment.
In three-phase power systems, an unbalanced voltage occurs when the three phases have different magnitudes. Causes include uneven loads, faulty connections, or phase-to-ground faults, leading to overheating, inefficiencies, and reduced equipment lifespan.
Both sags and swells can disrupt sensitive equipment, leading to failures and malfunctions.
A voltage interruption refers to a complete loss of power, either momentary or sustained. Even short interruptions can damage electronic devices, while prolonged outages can halt production and critical operations.
Unwanted electrical signals or electromagnetic disturbances can degrade the performance of sensitive electronics, leading to signal loss, data corruption, or erratic behavior.
Harmonic distortions arise from non-linear loads, such as switch-mode power supplies in electronic devices. These unwanted high-frequency signals can cause overheating, increased energy losses, and potential damage to electrical infrastructure.
Power factor is the ratio of active power (useful power) to apparent power (total power supplied). A low power factor results in energy wastage, higher electricity costs, and increased strain on electrical systems.
Sudden voltage or current spikes caused by lightning, switching operations, or faults in the power system can severely damage equipment and disrupt operations.
Voltage disturbances and harmonics can damage electrical and electronic equipment, leading to costly repairs, downtime, and reduced operational efficiency