Digital Meters - Power Quality Monitoring and Analysis

1GE Consumer & Industrial

MultilinApr 20, 2023

Digital Meters - Power Quality Monitoring and AnalysisBala VinayagamMar 21, 2006



Contents

• Effects of power quality • Power Quality definitions revisited• What is needed for PQ monitoring ?• GE Multilin’s solution

o PQMIIo EPM9000 series

• Summary

Monitor and Analyze Power Disturbances, Disruptions & Harmonics



PQ is a Business Problem

Power Quality issues cause business problems such as:

• Lost productivity, idle people and equipment

• Lost orders, good will, customers and profits

• Lost transactions and orders not being processed

• Revenue and accounting problems

• Customer and/or management dissatisfaction

• Overtime required to make up for lost work time

According to Electric Light and Power Magazine, 30 to 40 Percent of All Business Downtime Is Related to Power Quality Problems.



Is Power Quality Such a Big Problem?



Why PQ is such a Big Problem?

• The sensitivity of today’s electronic equipment makes it susceptible to power disturbances

• For some devices, a momentary disturbance can cause

o scrambled datao interrupted communicationso a frozen mouse o system crashes and equipment failure



PQ Problems are Expensive

• Berkeley Lab Study Estimates $80 Billion Annual Cost of Power Interruptions … Research News, Berkeley Lab, February 2, 2005

• $50 billon per year in the USA is lost as a results of power quality breakdowns …. Bank of America Report

• A manufacturing company lost more than $3 million one day last summer in Silicon Valley when the “lights went out.” … New York Times January 2000

• “A voltage sag in a paper mill can waste a whole day of production - $250,000 loss” … Business Week, June 17,, 1996

• Half of all computer problems and one-third of all data loss can be traced back to the power line … Contingency Planning Research, LAN Times



Who is Affected?

• Lost production• Scrap• Costs to restart• Labor costs• Equipment damage and repair• Other costs

• High Cost Facilitieso Semiconductor plantso Pharmaceuticalso Data centers

• Medium Cost FacilitiesoAutomotive

manufacturingoGlass plantsoPlastics & ChemicalsoTextiles



PQ Definitions RevisitedIEEE CategoriesStd 1159-1995

Short Duration Variations

Typical Duration

Instantaneous Sag 0.5 – 30 cycles

Momentary Sag 30 cycles – 3 sec

Temporary Sag 3 sec – 1 min





Typical Duration


Momentary Sag 30 cycles – 3 sec.

Temporary Sag 3 sec – 1 min.

Instantaneous Swell 0.5 – 30 cycles

Momentary Swell 30 cycles – 3 sec.

Temporary Swell 3 sec – 1 min.





Typical Duration


Momentary Sag 30 cycles – 3 sec.

Temporary Sag 3 sec – 1 min.

Instantaneous Swell 0.5 – 30 cycles

Momentary Swell 30 cycles – 3 sec.

Temporary Swell 3 sec – 1 min.

Momentary Interruptions

0.5 – 30 cycles

Temporary Interruptions

30 cycles – 3 sec.




Long Duration Variations

Typical Duration

Sustained interruptions

> 1 min

Under voltages > 1 min

Over voltages > 1 min





Typical Duration


> 1 min



Voltage imbalance Steady state

Waveform Distortion





Typical Duration


> 1 min



Voltage imbalance Steady state

Waveform Distortion

DC offset Steady state

Harmonics Steady state

Inter harmonics Steady state

For Electric Utilities Control of Voltage and Prevention of Outages is Power Quality



Sources of PQ ProblemsUtility Sources

• Lightning

• PF Correction Equipment

• Faults

• Switching

Internal Sources

•Individual Loads –Lighting, Elevators, Coolers, HVAC

•Uninterruptible Power Supplies

•Variable Frequency Drives

•Battery Chargers

•Large Motors During Startup

•Electronic Dimming Systems

•Lighting Ballasts (esp. Electronic)

•Arc Welders, and Other Arc Devices

•Medical Equipment, e.g. MRIs and X-Ray Machines

•Office Equipment and Computers

•Wiring



PQ Problems and Possible CausesTypical problems Disturbance Type Possible Causes

Overheated neutralIntermittent lock-upsFrequency deviations

Steady-state Shared neutralsImproper or inadequate wiringHigh source impedanceSCR/Rectifiers and notchingHarmonics






InterruptionGarbled dataRandom increase in harmonics levels

Utility faultsInrush currentsInadequate wiring








Intermittent lock-upsLights flickerGarbled data

Sags/Swell Source voltage variationsInrush/surge currentsInadequate wiring










Component failureDielectric breakdownLock-upsGarbled dataWavy CRTs

ImpulsesEMI/RFI

LightningLoad switchingCapacitor switchingStatic dischargeHand-held radiosLoose wiring/arcing










Component failureDielectric breakdownLock-upsGarbled dataWavy CRTs

ImpulsesEMI/RFI

LightningLoad switchingCapacitor switchingStatic dischargeHand-held radiosLoose wiring/arcing

Overheated transformers and motorsVoltage and current distortionsGarbled dataLock-ups

Harmonics Electronic loadsSCR/rectifier



Major PQ Problems

Source: EPRI, 1994

Spikes, 7%

Sags, 56%

Outages,

6%

Swells,

31%

Sags (Dips)

Associated with system faults

Switching of heavy loads

Starting of large motors

Swells

System fault conditions

Switching on a large capacitor bank

Switching off a large load



Cost of Voltage Sags

Textile Industry

Plastics Industry

Glass Industry

Process Industry

Semiconductors

$1k $10k

$100k $1M $10M

Losses per Voltage Sag Event

Source: EPRI “The Economics of Custom Power”, IEEE T&D Show 2003



Cost of Momentary Outages

Momentary Outages create problems when computers and clocks reset, equipment stalls, and work stops.

Category Minimum MaximumIndustrialSemiconductor Manufacturing $20.0 $60.0Electronics $8.0 $12.0Automobile Manufacturing $5.0 $7.5Pharmaceutical $5.0 $50.0Glass $4.0 $6.0Rubber and Plastics $3.0 $4.5Petrochemical $3.0 $5.0Food Processing $3.0 $5.0Textile $2.0 $4.0Metal Fabrication $2.0 $4.0Mining $2.0 $4.0Paper $1.5 $2.5Printing(Newspapers) $1.0 $2.0

CommercialHospitals, banks, civil service $2.0 $3.0Communications, information processing $1.0 $10.0Resturants, bars, hotels $0.5 $1.0

Commercial shops $0.1 $0.5Source: EPRI “The Economics of Custom Power”, IEEE T&D 2003

Cost of Momentary Interuption($/kW Demand)



High Speed Waveform Capture

High Speed Waveform Capture Is the Most Important PQ Troubleshooting Tool



Benefits of Continuous PQ Monitoring

Continuous PQ Monitoring Detects, Records, and Leads to the Prevention of PQ Problems

• Power Quality monitoring provides a continuous “Health Check” of a facility’s power system … for example:

o Harmonic interaction between loads and power conditioning equipment spotted

o High Inrush currents from equipment startup detected

o Transients from load switching are seen

• It provides data to see, diagnose and avert looming problems – “like squeaky brakes on a car”

o Trends can be detected

o JIT equipment maintenance programs can be established

• It acts like a “Black Box” on an airplane to tell you what, when, and where a Power Quality event occurred … to prevent it from reoccurring



What is needed for PQ Monitoring?PQ Monitors must detect and record the 7 types of PQ problems

•Transients•Interruptions•Sag/Under Voltage•Swell/Over Voltage•Waveform Distortion•Voltage Fluctuations•Frequency Variations

These include Flicker and Compliance to ITI(CBEMA), IEEE and ISO Standards

Plus they must …

• Be easy to use• Be Suitable for continuously

monitoring indoors and outdoors

• Interface with standard PQ analysis Software…PQDif format

• Be fast enough to capture high speed events that produce equipment problems

• Have enough storage to save the waveforms you need

• Have PQ analysis tools that produce usable, actionable recommendations

ITI: Information Technology Industry Council (Computer & Business Equipment Manufacturer’s Association)



26

EPM 9000 / 9800• Up to 512 samples / cycle• Web server•.02 accuracy•Flicker and transients recording

High Range PQ • Transients Flicker• High Sampling Rate• Utility Hardened• Web Server• Ladder Logic I/O

PQM II• Power Quality parameters• Data logging• Control options

Mid Range PQ• Waveform• Events/Alarms• Data Logging • I/Os

EPM 60000.2 revenue class accuracyNew Additions: THD and KYZ pulse option

EPM 2000Low cost – panel mountSingle P/N PL2000

Basic Metering• 50+ Parameters• 0.3% Accuracy• I/Os• THD, F, PF…..

EPM 1000 / EPM 4000•Wall/Panel mountable enclosure•Power line carrier capability•Modbus communication•Multi-Point monitoring capability•Energy Aggregator support

Sub Metering• Tenant Metering• 10-20 Parameters• .5 % Accuracy

Sub Meter Basic Metering Mid Range PQ High Range PQ

Basic PQ Monitoring to Advanced PQ Monitoring, Detection & Analysis

Power & Power Quality Metering System



GE Power Quality Meters

High End PQ Meters• Power professionals world-wide

rely on GE’s products for their power monitoring and communication applications.

• GE’s meters provide high speed waveform capture, advanced power quality, multiport communications and control.

PQMII EPM9800 EPM9450/9650



•All basic electrical parameters

•Data logging and waveform

•Voltage disturbance analyzer

•Analog outputs, digital inputs

•Control relays and KYZ pulses

•Multiple communication ports

•Easy to program and set-up… EnerVista

•Replaces multiple analog meters

GE Product Application Product Features

PQM II Power Quality Waveform, Data Logging, I/Os

Power Quality Meter – PQM II



Power Quality with Advanced Voltage Disturbance Recorder

Key Features

• High accuracy, mid range Power Quality with many advanced features.

• Waveform capture using set-points for PQ analysis. Waveform can be triggered by external equipment (motors) through digital inputs for capturing start-up current etc….

• Control Relays can open and close at the pre-programmed (min, max etc) set-points for alarms and notifications.

• Analog outputs for power information to PLCs, RTU and other non digital communication devices.

• VERY EASY to use , program and set-up – comes with free set-up and monitoring software (launch pad).

• Voltage Disturbance Recording for electrical up to 500 sag & swell events

• Open Modbus and DNP 3.0 protocol over RS 485 with multi port communication capability

Target Applications/Industries

• Ideal for circuit monitoring for control panels, switchboards, Motor Control Centers, Power Distribution Panels.

• Primary Monitoring of low and medium voltage application, requiring full metering with over 100 different electrical parameters with data logging and oscillograph (waveform).

• Applications requiring Control Relays with set-point activation, Analog and digital I/Os.

• Heavy power users for need of clean power - Data Centers, Pulp and Paper, Oil & Gas…….

• OEMs, Electrical Panel Manufacturers, Switchgear manufacturers, Motor Control manufacturers…..

Power Quality Meter – PQM II



GE Product

Application Product Features

9450Advanced Power Quality Metering

512K Memory for Data-Logging, waveform; Measures all Electrical Values

9650Advanced Power Quality Metering with Flicker

2 or 4 Meg Memory for Data-Logging and Waveform capture

9800Socket Design - Advanced Power Quality Metering with Flicker

2 or 4 Meg Memory for Data-Logging and Waveform capture, local display

• Advance Power Quality with Revenue Metering

• Highest Grade Revenue Accuracy - 0.06% Energy

• Advanced Waveform Recording and Analysis – 512 samples /cycle

• Built Ethernet 100 Base T – Total Web Solutions

• Advanced Control for Load Shedding and Demand Control

Advanced PQ Meter – EPM 9000/9800



Advance PQ Analysis with Revenue Class Accuracy

Advanced PQ Meter – EPM 9000/9800Key Features:

• High Speed Waveform Recording - With up to 16 to 512 samples per cycle resolution. The unit records magnitude and duration of events including the captured waveform. All information is stored in the on-board mass memory.

• Software and Hardware Triggers - The meters provides both software and hardware triggers to record waveform events. This allows the unit to be used for fault analysis, system apparatus monitoring and many other applications.

• Extensive Harmonics Analysis – This meter provides a real- time harmonic analysis to the 128th order for every channel. This advanced harmonic recording capability has been traditionally available only in high-end power quality recorders. Records THD to the 255th order peak.

• Real Time Phasor Analyzer - The unit monitors phase angles between the voltage and the currents.

•Web Server Capability – Data from meters is viewable over the web. Data from the ModBus devices connected to the meter can also be viewed.

•Expandable I/O Modules for Analysis and Control

Target Applications/Industries:

• Primary Monitoring of low medium and high voltage application, requiring full metering, with data logging, controls and high speed oscillography (waveform).

• Remote monitoring over the web using web pages

• Applications requiring Control Relays with set-point activation, Analog and digital I/Os.

• Heavy power users for need of clean power - Data Centers, Microprocessor Chip Manufacturers Pulp and Paper, Oil & Gas…….

• OEMs, Electrical Panel Manufacturers, Switchgear manufacturers, Motor Control manufacturers…..



Advance PQ Analysis with Revenue Class Accuracy

Advanced PQ Meter – EPM 9000/9800

Key Features:

• High Speed Waveform Recording - With up to 16 to 512 samples per cycle resolution. The unit records magnitude and duration of events including the captured waveform. All information is stored in the on-board mass memory.

• Software and Hardware Triggers - The meters provides both software and hardware triggers to record waveform events. This allows the unit to be used for fault analysis, system apparatus monitoring and many other applications.

• Extensive Harmonics Analysis – This meter provides a real- time harmonic analysis to the 128th order for every channel. This advanced harmonic recording capability has been traditionally available only in high-end power quality recorders. Records THD to the 255th order peak.

• Real Time Phasor Analyzer - The unit monitors phase angles between the voltage and the currents.

•Web Server Capability – Data from meters is viewable over the web. Data from the ModBus devices connected to the meter can also be viewed.

•Expandable I/O Modules for Analysis and Control

Target Applications/Industries:

• Primary Monitoring of low medium and high

voltage application, requiring full metering,

with data logging, controls and high speed

oscillography (waveform).

• Remote monitoring over the web using web

pages

• Applications requiring Control Relays with

set-point activation, Analog and digital I/Os.

• Heavy power users for need of clean power

- Data Centers, Microprocessor Chip

Manufacturers Pulp and Paper, Oil &

Gas…….

• OEMs, Electrical Panel Manufacturers,

Switchgear manufacturers, Motor Control

manufacturers…..



Real Time Field Recorded Events

Source: AGA Brazil

Meter: EPM9650

Period: Jan 2005 – Dec 2005

Continuous Monitoring of the Station for PQ Problems



PQ Meter ITI Capture

Equipment Interrupting Voltage Sags as Recorded

Damage Inducing Voltage Surges as Recorded

ITI Acceptable Power Disturbance Envelope

ITI: Information Technology Industry Council (Computer & Business Equipment Manufacturer’s Association)



Instantaneous Sag Event



Instantaneous Swell Event



Harmonic & Interharmonic Spectrum



Flicker Recording



Flicker Recording



Summary

GE Multilin provides the necessary tools for a successful PQ disturbance analysis and allows users to take remedial actions

Accurate Measurement to determine actual

state

Examinations

Remedial actionsRemedy

Feels the pulse of the power system network

Symptoms

High resolution recordings for longer

durationsGE Communicator

software

Diagnosis



Finally…

If You Can’t Measure it You Can’t Manage it

If You Can Measure it You Can Manage it

Documents

Digital Meters - Power Quality Monitoring and Analysis