To the untrained eye, problems in electrical networks or equipment connected to the circuit may not be recognisable as problems with mains power quality. If there is no obvious identifiable problem, it may be dismissed as “just an old circuit breaker that needs replacing” or “a one-off annoying reset”. You can look at the types of loads on the system and check for harmonics, imbalance or fault patterns.
Problems with harmonic distortion and voltage and current anomalies represent the areas where many mains power quality problems occur. Deviations in voltage and current can cause problems, but can often be fixed before they damage equipment. Discover the symptoms:
Problem
Symptoms
Possible causes
Dips or falls
Dimming of lights, computer crashes, clattering of relays and contactors or complete failure, shutdown of equipment and system
Unjustified and unexplained alarms and stops
Starting large loads, especially large inductive loads
Similar activities in neighbouring facilities
Severe weather
Voltage spikes
Faulty power supply
Overvoltage shutdown and alarms on frequency-controlled drives (VFDs)
Failure in single phase of three-phase system
Sudden decrease in load
Switching between condenser groups
Transients
Effects of flashover and spark discharge in distribution equipment
Damaged insulation
Faulty electronics
Computer crashes
Lightning strikes
Switching capacitors
Restarting systems after a power failure
Sudden downtime of large equipment
Dirty or worn contactors
Interruptions
Shutdown of equipment
Momentary loss of mains power
Imbalance
Overheated three-phase motors and transformers
Unbalanced loads across separate phases of three-phase panels
Unbalanced supply of utilities
Operation of single-phase welders
Open-delta transformers
Harmonischen
Open-delta transformers
Overheated transformers
Overheated inductive motors
Unjustified and unexplained alarms and stops of electronic equipment
Non-linear loads such as switching power supplies
Inverter sections of uninterruptible power supply (UPS), VFDs and battery chargers
Welders
Electric arc furnaces
Power Quality Analyzers and loggers
A Power Quality Analyzer can help identify these common power quality problems. With a Power Quality Analyzer, you will never miss another crucial power quality event. Whether you are performing a quick system check or a detailed power quality analysis, consistent data is essential. By connecting the 1770 Series to your assets, the instrument provides a unique automatic measurement system that ensures you collect the right data every time - from fast transients up to 8 kV, harmonics up to 30 kHz, dips and spikes, to the voltage, current and power measurements that allow you to characterise problems in your electrical system.
Power Quality Loggers make it easy to profile energy consumption in your installation. They provide data on current measurements, allowing you to detect and mitigate sources of electrical energy waste or overloaded circuits. These tools are great to have on hand for routine load studies and preventive maintenance programmes.
- Fluke 1732 and 1734 three-phase Power Measurement Logger
- Fluke 1736 three-phase Power Quality Logger
- Fluke 1738 three-phase Power Quality Logger
- Fluke 1742, 1746 and 1748 three-phase Power Quality Loggers
Power Quality Recorders are the right tool for advanced power quality analysis. Unravel the root cause of equipment failures with load studies and transient analysis, so you can go back later and make necessary repairs or develop baseline data for routine load studies.
