Electrical Power & Machines Dept.

‫قسم هندسة القىي واآلالت الكهربية‬

Faculty of Engineering ‫كلية الهندسة‬
Cairo University ‫جامعة القاهرة‬

There are standards for voltage and other technical criteria that may be measured,
but the ultimate measure of power quality is determined by the performance and
productivity of end-user equipment. If the electric power is inadequate for those
needs, then the “quality is lacking”. So power quality is ultimately a consumer-driven
issue, and the end user’s point of reference takes precedence.

A simple example:
A standard 100-watt light bulb requires 220 V to produce the designed light
output. If the voltage drops to 198 V (-10%), the light bulb still works but puts out less
lumens and is dimmer.
- If the voltage is removed as during a power outage, the light goes out.
- If however the voltage rises to 242 V (+10%), the light bulb will
produce more lumens than it was intended to. This may result in:
 causing overheating and stress on filament – will reduce life
 increased need for air conditioning
 Variation of lumens output – not desirable
 Increased power consumption
 The definition of power quality given in the IEEE dictionary originates in IEEE
Std 1100: "Power quality is the concept of powering and grounding sensitive
equipment in a matter that is suitable to the operation of that equipment".
 The following definition is given in IEC 61000-1-1: "Electromagnetic
compatibility is the ability of an equipment or system to function
satisfactorily in its electromagnetic environment without introducing
intolerable electromagnetic disturbances to anything in that environment".

Therefore, the following definition of a power quality problem may be used here:
"Any power problem manifested in voltage, current, or frequency
deviations that result in damage, failure or malfunction of end use
equipment."

1.3 Causes of Power Quality Problems

There are many misunderstandings regarding the causes of power quality
problems. The charts in Fig. 1.2 show the results of one survey conducted in the mid
1990's by the Georgia Power Company in which both utility personnel and customers
were polled about what causes power quality problems. These charts clearly illustrate
that the utility’s and customer’s perspectives are often much different. While both tend
to blame about two-thirds of the events on natural phenomena (e.g., lightning).
Customers, much more frequently than utility personnel, think that the utility is at
fault.

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Electrical Power Generation and Utilization EPM 627: Applications of Power Quality in
Master of Science in Electrical Power and Industrial & Residential Installations
Machines Engineering Academic Year 2015-2016