Power Quality refers to the characteristics of the power, or specifically the current and voltage, provided to the customer. The power is to be provided in clean sinusoidal waveforms at a frequency of 60Hz that does not contain sags or spikes, which allows the customer’s equipment to operate reliably.
With the introduction and widespread use of sensitive electronic equipment, energy users have become much more aware and sensitive to transients and other power anomalies. Previously, equipment was fairly immune to short-term power fluctuations and did not project problems back into the utility’s system. Now, with the introduction of nonlinear devices, harmonics are created which can affect the customer’s equipment and the utility’s equipment. The utility is no longer just providing power to turn lights on and start motors. As a result, there has been an increase of problems experienced by electrical end-users. To determine the source of these issues, there are available means for customers, utilities, and consultants to easily monitor, record, and analyze the electric power. Based on the source of the problem, power treatment methods are available to cure or limit the problems.
For the purpose of establishing uniformity and of providing power quality guidelines to its customers, LADWP adopts the range of service voltages in use by the American National Standards Institute for Electric Power Systems and Equipment C84.1-1989.
Power quality disturbances can be generated from both the utility and customer sides of the distribution network.
The cause of power quality issues and service interruption must be identified and analyzed carefully to determine the appropriate course of corrective action. Many of these can be prevented through careful planning, but are often only identified after the issue arises.
Power Quality Group (PQG) performs troubleshooting, testing, analysis, evaluation, and provides solutions to power quality complaints from our residential, commercial, and industrial customers.