voltage fluctuations | APC UPS Blog

A voltage fluctuation is a regular change in voltage that happen when devices or equipment requiring a higher load are used. The effects of a voltage fluctuation are similar to the effects of an undervoltage. It causes lights to flicker or glow brighter. Display screen may flicker as well. There are also some instances when electronic equipment, such as a computer, will fail to start up. In addition, voltage fluctuations can cause computer systems to lose data, while televisions or radios may experience interference. This power problem can have a significant effect on the lifespan of incandescent bulbs, since they are designed for a specific voltage.

Rural areas may experience dramatic voltage fluctuations due to the long power lines. These power lines can cause voltage to go down when power usage in the area is high. When arc furnaces, arc welding equipment or even elevators are used, they normally cause the voltage of a power distribution system to fluctuate. This situation is similar to using a shower in the second floor bathroom of a house. When someone turns on the faucet in the laundry room on the first floor, the second floor shower may run out of water.

Voltage fluctuations can be managed through the use of a voltage regulator. An uninterruptible power supply (UPS) system or power line conditioning devices can also be used in reducing the effects of this common power problem. Another way to deal with voltage fluctuations is by simply removing equipment or devices causing it from the power supply system.

References:

http://northpower.com/network/services/voltage-fluctuations

http://www.apcmedia.com/salestools/VAVR-5WKLPK/VAVR-5WKLPK_R1_EN.pdf?sdirect=true

http://www.on365.co.uk/Power__and__Cooling/Most_Common_Power_Problems.aspx

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/6-common-power-problems-ted-ochieng-otieno-cem-?forceNoSplash=true

http://electrical-engineering-portal.com/9-most-common-power-quality-problems

http://blog.schneider-electric.com/datacenter/power-and-cooling/2013/05/28/six-types-of-power-disturbances-that-can-trip-up-your-it-systems/

Issues with power supply often lead to losses amounting to billions of dollars every year. The following are the seven main power problems identified by an international standards organization, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.

Transients

Transients are the most damaging types of power problems. These are sudden changes in power and are referred to as power surges or power spikes. In this situation, power goes up beyond its normal range and causes an overload, which in turn causes damage to equipment connected to it.

Interruptions

An interruption is a total loss of power resulting from damage to the power supply grid. The damage may be caused by equipment failure or lightning strikes, among others. These interruptions may last from a few seconds to a couple of hours.

Sag or Undervoltage

A sag or undervoltage is basically a temporary drop in the power whenever heavy machinery is used. Power supply drops since these machines require a huge amount of power. The situation was once called a brownout before the term undervoltage was used.

Swell/Overvoltage

A swell or overvoltage is the opposite of a sag or undervoltage. It is a situation when the power supply is higher than the demand for it. Swells or overvoltages can cause equipment to overheat and lights to flicker.

Waveform distortion

Waveform distortions are changes in the frequency leading to data loss and equipment failure. The five main types of wave distortion problems are DC Offset, Notching, Noise, Harmonics, and Interharmonics.

Voltage Fluctuations

Voltage fluctuations are situations when voltage rises and falls erratically. Whenever machinery with high power needs is turned on, voltage fluctuations normally occur.

Frequency variations

Frequency variations normally happen in areas powered by a standby generator or areas with an unstable power supply. Equipment connected to these power sources will operate inefficiently.

These power problems can be remedied through the use of appropriate UPS systems available in the market today.

References:

http://www.on365.co.uk/Power__and__Cooling/Most_Common_Power_Problems.aspx

http://www.apcmedia.com/salestools/VAVR-5WKLPK/VAVR-5WKLPK_R1_EN.pdf?sdirect=true

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/6-common-power-problems-ted-ochieng-otieno-cem-?forceNoSplash=true

What are Voltage Fluctuations?

Seven Main Types of Power Problems