Commercial Power Quality FAQs

 
 

What causes power quality problems?

  • Most causes can be divided into internal and external causes.
  • Potential culprits may include large equipment start-up or shutdown, improper wiring and grounding, overloaded circuits or harmonics.
  • The most common cause is a lightning strike; other possibilities include equipment failure, vehicle accidents, weather conditions, neighboring business, and even normal operation of utility equipment.

What kind of equipment is vulnerable?

  • Most electrical equipment is affected by variations in powering and grounding. High-tech equipment, such as computer networks and phone systems, are sensitive and may be susceptible to damage.

How is a power quality problem diagnosed?

  • Sophisticated monitoring and testing are usually required to isolate the specific type of disturbance and pinpoint the cause. A thorough power quality investigation might include:
    • On-site testing
    • Grounding studies
    • Infrared Scans
    • Wiring verification
    • Identification of load characteristics