Power Quality Measurements: Bringing Order out of Chaos

The quality of the power supplied t o sensitive electronic equipment is a n important issue. Quantifytng this quality, however, is difficult under the present s ta te o f nonexistent or uncoordinated standards concerning two related questions: ( I ) what levels of power quali ty a r c r equ i red for what types of loads, and (2) what measurement techniques a r e required to determine reliably the level of disturbances that reduce quality. Development of standards by the consensus rocess and voluntary compliance. although a slow process, is a mec e anism for reaching technically sound and cost-effective solutions. Several standards projects are in progress, but need an industry-wide support t o become the generally accepted basis for valid and useful measurements of power quality.