Power Quality Services
Power System & Power Quality Evaluation
Supply transformers, switchgear and cables all have maximum ratings. Uncontrolled increase in demand will eventually cause overloads which will lead to loss of the power supply. As well as this, neighbouring consumers’ activities can have a major effect on your supply.
Some companies are often unaware how much energy they are using and how much electrical power is available to them
P.Q.E. can survey, monitor and evaluate your power system and power quality, and identify your problems by carrying out harmonic measurements, load monitoring, load profiling, temperature measurements, insulation resistance testing and electrical pressure testing. All these will be provided with comprehensive written reports and recommendations.
1. Harmonic Measurements & Analysis
Harmonic distortion on the mains supply network is caused by the use of power electronics such as variable speed drive equipment. This distortion causes electrical failures & malfunctions, transformer overloading and other electrical problems.
P.Q.E. can visit your sites and carry out measurements of harmonic levels using cutting edge testing equipment to identify the problems, and provide you with comprehensive written reports on findings, comparing the results with the permissible levels of harmonic distortion. (Link to Outram Research's test equipment)
If distortion is too high we can provide Harmonic Filters to reduce it to the levels below the limits stipulated in Engineering Recommendation G5/4.
2. Load Profiling
Load Profiling is used to determine power and energy usage. A recorder which measures the three phase voltage and current is installed for several days. This gives the true picture of the load under all working conditions.
P.Q.E. can visit your site and carry out measurement using high tech instrumentation and use the information obtained to analyse power availability, balance between phases, transformer loading and maximum demand. Comprehensive written reports will be provided.
Load profiling can save a lot of money for consumers whose electricity tariff includes an availability charge. The results will show the maximum usage which may be much lower than the availability charged.
3. Mains Problems Analysis
This usually involves on-site testing with specialised equipment by experienced personnel from P.Q.E. to identify the causes of overloading of switchgear and cables, reasons for circuit breaker trips, malfunctions of equipment etc.
We can monitor the mains to detect short term voltage dips and spikes (high voltages which have durations of a few milliseconds). Both of these factors can cause electrical malfunctions and failures.
Comprehensive written reports will follow together with proposals to solve the problems.
4. Temperature Measurements
Measuring the temperature of electrical components and commodities are very beneficial to confirm that operating conditions and components loading is correct or otherwise. It also shows where problems are developing. The measurements obtained enable users to ascertain the running temperatures of electrical and mechanical components such as motors, cables, transformers etc.
P.Q.E. uses non intrusive and no contact electronic thermometers to measure the temperature of electrical components. If access can be gained safely the measurements can be made with the equipment running. Written reports and recommendations will follow after the measurements.
5. Consultancy
We undertake consultancy work, providing our expert knowledge on Power Quality, and enjoy working together with Energy Saving Organisations.
POWER QUALITY PRODUCTS
P.Q.E. supply the products listed below to either improve power quality or to offset the trouble caused by problems on the mains.
1. HARMONIC FILTERS
Please see the section on harmonic filters for details or click here.
2. SPIKE AND LIGHTNING ARRESTORS
Electrical and electronic equipment can be adversely affected by ‘spikes’ which are short term high voltages. These can appear anywhere on the mains waveform, create a momentary high voltage and cause insulation failure and/or component breakdown. The big problem facing the maintenance staff is that they are confronted with failure which has no apparent cause.
Spikes are generated by switching loads on or off and most of them are caused in-house but they can be ‘imported’ on the mains supply from neighbouring consumers. Another source of spikes is lighting strikes on overhead lines. These are more easily identified because damage occurs to disboards, and power factor correction equipment which is installed near the incoming mains.
It’s possible to install recording equipment to measure spikes, but an alternative approach is to fit spike arrestors to prevent future occurrence. This may be regarded as insurance but it is a fast solution which is cost effective. P.Q.E.’s range of arrestors will eliminate spike damage.
3. CONSTANT VOLTAGE TRANSFORMERS
A ferroresonant CVT is a device that has a stable output for wide variations in input voltage. Typically, the mains supply can vary by up to 15% but the transformer output changes by only 3%. In addition, CVTs don’t pass spikes and give a sinusoidal output when the mains supply is distorted by harmonics.
P.Q.E. supply CVTs to power up loads which are sensitive to harmonics when the installation of a harmonic filter isn’t financially justifiable.
We have also provided CVTs to eliminate light flicker on sites which have rapidly fluctuating heavy loads.
Please contact us for more information or call us on 01942 513000.
2 year Guarantee
All our equipment Is guaranteed for 2 years subject to our maintenance service terms and conditions.