How to determine the quality of electricity - norms and parameters of assessment

In the contract, which is concluded between the consumer and the energy supplying company, the supplier's obligations are always spelled out. One of the most important indicators that deserves attention is the quality of electrical energy. But before drawing conclusions about the service provided, you need to find out what is meant by this term and what values ​​it covers. Electricity indicators are set in accordance with applicable regulatory documents.

What is Power Quality

Quality indicators for each type of electrical line are set differently. The actual parameters must fully comply with those established in the regulatory documentation. It is this feature that determines the quality of the service provided.

Changes or transformations of the SCE arise as a result of the loss of a resource during transportation over long distances, electromagnetic phenomena or abnormal increases in loads on the main lines.

To assess the quality of electricity, it is required to measure the main indicators. You can study them in detail in the regulatory documents of GOST № 13109-97.

What affects the characteristics of the supply network

The quality of electricity is influenced by a rather large list of factors:

• regular voltage drops as a result of connecting large loads;
• icing of supply lines;
• increase in air humidity;
• the quality of electrical lines, the end of their operational period, their failure;
• at sea stations, the ebb and flow are taken into account.

When it comes to wind farms, the quality of electricity can be adversely affected by changes in the direction and strength of wind currents.

What happens when you deviate from normal eating patterns

The power, performance and service life of electrical devices, especially on an industrial scale, directly depends on the quality of the supplied energy resource. A decrease in the efficiency of the mains leads to an increase in the consumed electricity. In the engines of devices, the torque decreases, lighting devices flicker regularly, all types of lamps fail quickly enough.

Research in physics has long shown that, with constant engine load, a decrease in voltage leads to a rapid increase in amperage, which negatively affects the operability, performance and service life of household appliances and other electrical appliances. This will burn the electronic boards, and the wires with insulating material may melt.

Criteria for assessing the quality of power supply

A large number of different indicators affect the assessment of power quality.

• voltage deviation;
• voltage fluctuations;
• impulse voltage;
• frequency deviation;
• voltage dip;
• flicker dose;
• temporary overvoltage factor.

Voltage deviation

The value is calculated by a special coefficient that characterizes the steady-state deviation in relation to the nominal.You can verify the proper quality using a special measuring receiver of electricity.

Voltage deviations from the norm are recorded at large losses during the transfer of the resource over long distances or overloads of the highway. The maximum permissible indicators are considered - 10%.

Voltage fluctuations

The value characterizes the deviation of the amplitude of the oscillation of the electric current in the wires. Voltage fluctuation is a composite quality parameter. To calculate it, you need to first calculate:

• duration and frequency of deviations;
• dose of fluctuations;
• the scope of change.

To calculate the parameters, you will also need special high-precision measuring equipment.

Impulse voltage

The magnitude manifests itself as a short increase in the amplitude of the electricity. As a rule, switching processes or bad weather outside the window become the cause of such surges. Such network states are characterized by unpredictability, therefore, impulse rationing is not provided.

Frequency deviation

This parameter is set to 50 Hz on public networks. Regulatory standards allow a frequency decrease or increase by 2-4%. If the permissible deviations are exceeded, a failure of electrical equipment is observed, electric generators fail.

Voltage dip

The concept is characterized as a significant decrease in amplitude followed by recovery in a short period of time. The main provoking factors are a sharp increase in load or short circuit.

This indicator is described by the following characteristic features:

• frequency of deviations per unit of time;
• the force of voltage subsidence - in some cases, it can tend to zero;
• duration.

The voltage drop also has a random nature of occurrence, therefore, rationing is not provided.

Flicker dose

The parameter shows what effect the flickering of lighting devices has on the human body as a result of changes in the parameters of electricity. The value is calculated using special measuring equipment.

Temporary overvoltage factor

This term indicates how much the actual amplitude is higher than the allowable values. The main provoking factors are switching processes and short circuit.

How to make sure the power quality is good

Before starting the inspection on your own, it is required to take into account the fact that the power quality indicators must be recorded by representatives of the relevant organizations. Only on the basis of the results of the act of work performed can a claim be made to the supplier.

To check all the required parameters, additional use of special measuring equipment will be required. Some quantities can be calculated using a multimeter:

• failures;
• overvoltage and phase imbalance;
• well-established deviation.

Abnormal operation of household appliances and electrical appliances may also indicate deviations from the norm.

Types of protection against unpredictable changes in network parameters

The energy supply company must take care of the proper quality of the supplied services, which comply with the established regulatory documents. But at the same time, each homeowner on a personal basis can protect their household appliances from power surges with special types of equipment:

• Sources of uninterrupted electricity are able to maintain the working condition of some types of household appliances for a specified time. For example, connecting such a device to a computer allows it to shut down correctly and save all the required files.
• Equipment designed to protect against voltage surges. The principle of operation is similar to that of a relay.If one of the parameters of the electrical circuit reaches critical levels, the room is automatically de-energized.
• The voltage stabilizer controls that the voltage does not go beyond the specified parameters. Provides adequate power quality, provided that the deviations do not exceed 35%.

It is recommended to purchase equipment designed to protect household appliances in specialized stores. The electrical appliance must be accompanied by accompanying documentation and a warranty card.