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