Nexus on-site measurement & PQ studies
On-site measurements and PQ studies by Nexus team or by our authorized service providers (global distribution network) is the process of gathering, analyzing, and interpreting raw measurement data into useful information. The process of gathering data is usually carried out by continuous measurement of voltage and current over an extended period. The process of analysis and interpretation has been traditionally performed manually, but recent advances in signal processing and artificial intelligence fields have made it possible to design and implement intelligent systems to automatically analyze and interpret raw data into useful information with minimum human intervention.
Power Quality measurement devices used for PQ measurements are Harmonic Analyzers, Transient-disturbance Analyzers, Oscilloscopes, Data Loggers and Chart Recorders.
The findings of the power quality measurements and recommendations for possible solutions, if so required, are presented in post-measurement power quality report.
Objectives & Scope of power quality measurements
Nexus Power offer a broad range of engineering services in power quality such as:
- Detailed study of reactive power, power factor and existing harmonic pattern in the electrical system
- Simulation of electrical network, system using ETAP software and carrying out harmonic penetration studies
- Performance bench marking of equipment or plant
- Solutions to improve power factor and mitigate harmonics as per IEEE 519 standards
- Implementing the recommended solutions and verifying the results by doing re-analysis to ensure optimized system performance with fastest payback
- To help make the predictive maintenance
Customer benefits
A power quality audit performed by a specialized company can deliver several benefits for the industrial or commercial customers which includes but are not limited to the following:
- Improved insight into the plant and or equipment power quality, and identification of their current and parameters
- Enough data to back up and make well-informed investment decisions
- Correctly sizing and type the mitigation solution
- Avoiding unexpected outages
Increasing use of semiconductor based electronic equipment & non-linear loads (such as SMPS used in computers & their peripherals, data servers, variable speed drivers (VFD), arc furnaces, LED lights etc.) and rapid integration of non-conventional energy sources into grid network throws new challenges for the PQ environment.
Depending on the loads and the network, industrial or commercial facilities may face issues related to poor power quality which can impact profitability, and the reliable operations of the equipment.
These power quality issues may affect end users, equipment & system manufacturer, designers of plants & installations, electricity distributors, public authorities and public. Outcome of some surveys have revealed significant losses to industries due to poor power quality. Variation in voltage & frequency and waveform distortion (in other words harmonics) are the critical power quality issues.
Harmonics are very harmful within an electrical system and can have serious consequences. For example, the presence of harmonics reduces the life of equipment. It is possible that the investment that you made in your motors & drives will not be realised if they are damaged and need replacing before their expected life span. This can be very expensive. Harmonics cause things to run hot, which cause stress on the cables and equipment. In the long term, this degrades an electrical system. The presence of harmonics will also mean that although you will get billed for the power that you are supplied; a large percentage of that power may be unusable. Harmonic mitigation is acting to minimise the presence of harmonics in your electrical system and can achieve great cost savings.