Advanced Software Developments for Automated Power Quality Assessment Using DFR Data

The power quality (PQ) meters are usually designed to provide information relevant to the particular type of the disturbance. This is quite adequate if the disturbances that are being monitored are of a given type that matches the performance characteristics and design features embedded in the instrument. However, if there is a need to detect a variety of disturbances and classify their types, a better solution may a generalized application of a Digital Fault Recorder (DFR) which can capture “raw” data. This allows the user to design a customized PQ assessment tools. This paper describes a software tool, which can detect and classify the disturbances recorded by DFRs automatically. The software is implemented using advanced signal processing and intelligent system techniques. The detailed characterization of the event given the software can provide the operator with comprehensive information about a given disturbance.