Examination of Power Quality in Industry

R. Mienski,
R. Pawelek,

I. Wasiak

Institute of Electrical Power Engineering Technical University of Lodz Lodz. Poland

Abstract-The paper provides results of tests of power quality performed for an industrial electrical power network. Several parameters were identified, like: voltage variation, harmonics and total distortion factor, voltage unbalance. The measurement aimed at assessment of influence of some loads which are operated in the plant on power quality and evaluation of quality of supply from public distribution network. Some results of tests and their analysis are presented in the paper.

This paper presents some selected test results performed in low- and medium-voltage distribution networks in AMICA co. works in wronki. It aimed at determining whether malfunctioning of the drive system of the press ,nachine is caused by industrial loads or inadequate quality of supply from the publicelectrical power
11. TES'I'S PROGRAM

1. INTRODUCTION

A. Description ojlhe Examined Network

In the condition of increasing awareness of power quality's role in electrical engineering there is a need to assess the quality of service provided by utilities to their consumers. Many industrial electric consumers now require a higher level of power quality due to increasing sensitivity of receivers and process controls. Quality of supply can be defined [4]as any deviation from the characteristic values of the ideal sinusoidal voltage waveform. Electrical power quality is then determined by the following supply voltage parameters which are measured at the connecting point of the common coupling with public network (PCC): - slow voltage variation, - voltage fluctuation - flicker severity, - voltage harmonics (values of higher harmonics and THD factor), - voltage unbalance in three-phase systems. The above mentioned parameters for low- and mediumvoltage distribution networks are defined and standardised in EN 50160 European Standard [ l ] which is being put in practice in Poland at the moment. In recent years negative phenomena resulting from electrical power quality deregulation have been observed more frequently. The electrical equipment characterised by a nonlinear voltage/cui-rent(e. g. power electronics), widely applied in industry. causes harmonic disturbances. Some industrial intermittent loads. like arc furnaces are the sources of voltage fluctuations resulting in annoying voltage flicker. The phenomena may be strain-effective for electrical power users and may defective operation of regulating devices, control and signalling systems and protective relays. Distortions coming from power electronic drive systems sometimes prevent their own control systems from proper functioning. Such phenomena have started examination of power quality in industrial environment.
0-7803-5105-3/98/$10.00 1998 IEEE 0

Fig. 1 shows the scheme of power supply to AMlCA Co. works in Wronki from the public electrical power network and presents a part of the low- and medium-voltage industrial distribution networks which has been examined.

Q ;,..:,,.

Fig. I Schemc afpawcr supply io AMIC'A C ' o

Supply voltage parameters have been measured on the bus of 15 kV switching station and on the bus of section I of 0.4 kV switching station in SO-3 station. In low-voltagc switching station scheme the receivers which influenced electrical power quality have been distinguished. They are as follows: the drive system of the press forming machine, the rectifier station for charging battery-operated truck and the

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capacitor bank for reactive power compensation. The bank is supplied with automatic power control system in the function of power factor. What has not been examined was the influence of the receivers installed in the boiler house and others shown as ,,other receivers" group on the scheme.

C. Tests Range

B. Measurement System
The measurements have been carried out by means of computer - operated measurement system. which has been designed and constructed in the Institute of Electrical Power Engineering of Technical University of Lodz, basically to evaluate supply voltage parameters according to EN 50160 European Standard demand. Table I illustrates basic information which refers to measurement system data. While taking measurements in 0.4 kV switching station, the system inputs were connected directly to three phase voltages, however, in case of 15 kV switching station, they were connected to three delta voltages by means of voltage transformers. Test results were registered on hard disc of the computer at frequency given in the Table 11.
TABLE I
BASIC CHARACTERISTICS OF MEASUREMENT SYSTEM

The performed tests aimed mainly at assessment 01' influence of some loads, which are operated in AMICA Co. Wronki. Special attention was paid to the drive system of the pressing machine and the mutual interaction of rectifiers and capacitor bank. Another purpose was estimation quality of supply from public distribution network. So the examination scope referred to measurement of selected voltage parameters in SO-3 15/0.4 kV station (which supplied energy to the press machine) cairied out on both the buses of 15 k V and 0.4 k V and the analysis of results obtained. A number of measurement cycles have been performed. and three of them have been chosen to analyse. Table I1 illustrates their characteristics. In each cycle the following suppl) voltage parameters, defined according to [ 11, have been tcstcd at a given measurement point:
0

voltage changes in relation to its declared value for each phase,

Operating mode The system operates in real-time. without intervals between data windows. measuring, analysing and recording measurement results on the disc automatically Input

where: U,, - data window rms value of supply voltage (phase or line-to-line), U,. - declared voltage at the connecting point of common supply,
0

asymmetry factor of three-phase system,

ASYM, =

5 100 %
U1

Measurement system charartcristics Data window. Window span: Sampling frequency: Consecutive data windows: Calculatins method:

rcctaneular 2 sec. 4095 Hz are in contact FFT

where: U,-- data window rms value of negative sequencc component of supply voltage basic harmonic, U, - data window rms value of positive sequence component of supply voltage basic harmonic. relative values of voltage higher harmonics for each phase.

Voltnge curve analysis

I
I

where: Ulf- data window rms value of h - voltage haiinonic (h = 1, .... ,40). b
0

Filter characteristic: Filter frcqucncy: Band width:

rectangle i,S0 Hz (0,02 + 0.022) f,

THD factor for each phase voltage.

7

Averaging timc of voltagc calculation from 2 SCC. to I5 min. resul ts: Voltage measurement accuracy: consistent with EN 61000 [3] Measurement range: Calculation method: Averaging time of calculation results: Measurement accuracy of flicker severity:

(0,OOlS + 0.2) U" consistent with EN 60868 121 (2 + IS) min.

consistent with EN 60868 121

The following values have been accepted as declared voltage: - for 0.4 kV - U, = 220 V (phase voltage of the network). - for I5 kV - U, = 100 V (secondary voltage of voltage tran sforiners).

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Cycle No.
I

Date, time of measurement start-up 26. IO.I997 15:59

26. IO. 1997 17:59 26f27.10.1997 22:05

Number of samplcs. averaging time IO0 10 sec.

~~

Measurement place
SO-3: 0.4 kV

Load characteristics During measurement cyclc. aftcr all the receivers had bcen put otT. the press machine was switched on and the starting and braking of thc drive systein 01' this press were tested several times. During the cycle thcrc was a simultaneous pcrtormance ol' the hoilcr slalioii receivcrs. rectifier station and capacitor hank In autoniatcd control niodc. Thc switching on and off of subsequent steps ofthc bank was liwxd. During the cycle the plant operated under normal night-characteristic load.

SO-3; 0,4 kV I O sec.

SO-3; IS kV 2 min.

111. MEAS~JREMENT RES~JLIS

A. General Remarks
As the time of canying out measurements was limited, the averaging time of measurement results was forced to be shortened (in reference to EN 50160 Standard [I]) from IO min. to 10 sec. (at night time to 2 min.). It enabled to examine the influence of dynamic states of the press machine performance (starting and braking) on the power quality and it gave the adequate number of measurement samples in subsequent measurement cycles as well. For these samples, statistical characteristic values were determined, basically the maximum, minimum and mean value and the so-called 95% level, i.e. the value, which is not acceded by 95% measurements during a given cycle.

conclude that the drive system of the press machine. especially during transient processes which take place in starting and braking, has a significant influence on supply voltage distortion. The evidence for this is in high maximum values and the values of 95% level of THD factor, coming up to 1 1 % and 9% respectively. Such an apparent supply voltagc distortion is seen in the wide range of higher harmonics (Fig. 3) which arise during examined dynamic states, basicall) so-called harmonics characteristic of 6-pulse -?-phase rectifier bridge.

1. 2w

B. Influence o the Press Machine Drive System on Power f Quality

Table 111 presents the basic results of measurement of power quality parameters obtained in measurement cycle I. For the same cycle changes in time and systematic graph of T H D factor of phase voltages have been illustrated in the Fig. 2. And Fig. 3 shows the spectrum of harmonics distorting phase voltage curves (for LI phase).

b)
I1.M

No.

Index Value

Total harmonic distortion factor of the Supply voltage level .. . voltage U L ~ UL; THDLI THDLI THDL~ ULI
%

I . maximum 10,17
2. minimum
3.

% 10,98

1.58 2.74 8.79

1.42 2.74
9.71

11,12 1.68
2.86 9.82

Asymmetry factor ASYM Yo % % Yo 109.73 109.55 109.75 1.54 107,40 107.34 107.44 1.44
1.48

10,w

s
c

8.W

bW

mean

109.16 108.99 109.20 109.63 109.43 109.66

4. 95%level

1.51

2.M

io

LO

w )

U )

. w
timc 1%1

611

711

xo

vm

IIII

Measurements were carried out under the conditions of higher supply voltage (TI transformer tap switch in - 5% position) and of the lack of other loads switched on the examined section. When analysing the test results, we can

Fig. 2. THD factor for three phascs.

a) changes in timc graph. b) systematic graph

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D.Electrical Power Quality in 15 kV Network

To illustrate the quality of supply from public electrical power network. the measurement results from cycle I l l wcrc taken into consideration. Basic voltage parameters are shown in Table IV. Moreover, Fig. 5 illustrates changes in time and systematic graph of THD factor of line voltage, and Fig. 6 illustrates the spectrum of harmonics distorting line voltage curve (ULl2)on busbars of 15 kV. The tests were carried out at night, under minimum load of industrial network. Basing on the results obtained we can assume that the quality of supply (supply voltage parameters) meets the requirements of

4.00

2.w
0.00

II

I4

17

10

29

31

J5

38

Harmonics numher

Fig. 3. Spectrum of harmonics in LI phase voltage, 0 - maximum value. - 95% level

C. Interaction o Rectifiers and Capacitor Bank. f To illustrate the phenomena which take place during reactive power compensation in the network with non-linear receivers. the results of cycle II measurement were chosen. The non-linear receiver is represented by the group of threephase rectifiers, designed for loading battety-operated trucks, which performs practically under constant load. The switchon of subsequent steps of capacitor bank in automatic control operating mode was forced (by adequate positioning of coscp regulator). The bank had 23 steps of adjustment, each of 20 kVAr. In the process of switching on the capacitor bank, appearing of resonance phenomena was observed successively for 13, 1 I , 7 and 5 harmonics, i.e. for harmonics characteristic for 6-pulse 3-phase rectifier bridge. The analysis was carried out for such a capacitors power, when individual harmonics (from 5, 7, I 1 and 13 sets) reached the maximum values. Fig. 4 illustrates the above mentioned phenomenon presenting values of harmonics in dependence on capacitor bank power (Q 1 <Q2<QXQ4). Theoretical calculations, which took into account supply network parameters and capacitor bank parameters, confirmed the chance of resonance for abovementioned higher harmonics.

No.
L

Index Value

Total harmonic distortion lsclor ofthc voltaec THDLI THDL? TH11i.1

%
%
I

:\syn1Supply voltage level

inctry litclor

Ut.,
%

1. maximum 3.24 2. minimum 0.58 3. mean 150

4. 95% level

3.52 0.48 1.54 2.61

3.5s
0.39 1.60 2.79

100.85 I 99.82 97.50 99.19 96.32 98.13

UL:
940

UI
%

ASYM
1.26
1.04

100.03

96.86 98.12 99.01

1.20
1.24

2.54

100.34 99.29

3.0

- LS p
a 2.0

I S
I .o 0.5
0.0

I
00*.10 02:OSIZ
M:Of.:14

I
Uh:OS:lS

22m.W

0,o

I
o
IO
U)
)o

4n

so
tmr l . V1

60

70

nit

in11

Fig. 4. Values o f selected higher harmonics (cyclc II)

Fig. 5. THD factor ol'the supply voltage (SO-3. IS kV). a) change 111 tinic graph. b) systcmatic graph

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EN 50160 standard [l], but in order to confirm this conclusion, additional one-week examination with the averaging time of measurement results consistent with the standard requirements should also be carried out.

3. In networks with non-linear receivers, reactive power

compensation using a capacitor bank with automatic control of the power, may lead to resonance for some higher harmonics. The higher accuracy of regulation is. the higher probability of this phenomenon occurring exists.

4. Computer

0.0

k
IV. CONCLUSIONS

based measurement system, which has been designed and constructed at the Institute of Electrical Power Engineering of Technical University of Lodz. makes it possible to evaluate three-phase supply voltage in accordance with EN 50160 European Standard [ I ] . Moreover, regulated time of averaging the results in the range from 2 sec. to IS min. enables to shorten the examination time, what allows to observe the phenomena which take place in dynamic states of devices niorc precisely.

Fig. 6. Spectrum of harmonics in the supply voltage (SO-3. IS kV) U - maximum value, 95% level

V. REFERENCES
[ 11 Europcan Standard EN SO 160: I.~'ohgechuruc/eris/ics yf e/ec/rrcrJl, sirpplied hy puhlic clistrihir/ron g W w r s . 1994. 121 European Standard EN 60868: /-'/ic&enrre/er - /'irncfiorrd ( i d ~ W , V J
specficcitrons. 1993. [3] European Standard EN 6 1000: f?/ecfromugne/ic coriipohdifr / E \ / ( ' / .

1. Tests of power quality carried out in AMlCA Wronki Co. works enabled to : - evaluate the influence of non-linear receivers with frequent variable load on the voltage parameters in industrial network, - examine resonance phenomena which take place in reactive power compensation when rectifier type receivers are present, - estimate generally the quality of electrical power supply by public distribution system.
2. Transient processes taking place during starting and

I993 [4] Guide t Quality of Electrical Supply for Industrial Installations. IJlli. o I994
Dr Rozmystww Miedski received M.Sc. and 1'h.D. degrees lion1 'I'cchnical Untvcrsity 01' I-otlz. A1 present hc is a scnior lecturer at thc Institutc of Electrical Power I.:npinccring of Technical University of Lodz. His area of interest is powcr quality id A C N power network simulator. Dr Rysmrd Pawelek was born in 1952 in Chocz. Poland. IIc received M.Sc. and I'h I ) dcyw.; from Technical llniversity of Lodz. At prcscnt he is a senior lecturer at thc
lnstitutc of Elcctrical Power Engineering of Technical llnivcrsity of I . i d 7 His field of interest IS powcr quality.

braking the drive system of the press machine, significantly increase the voltage distortion in examined low-voltage industrial network. This distortion comprises a wide range of higher harmonics, and at the same time the crucial significance is put to so-called harmonics characteristic for 6-pulse 3-phase rectifier bridge.

Dr lrcna Wasiak graduatcd from the Tcchnical University of Lodz (Poland) in 1976.Thcrc she received the Ph.D. degrcc in clcctrical power engineering. Prcscntl> slic is a senior lecturer at the Institute of Electrical Power En_riiiccring. Tcc1iritc;il University of I.odz. I Icr arca of intcrcst includes modelling and stmulntlon 01' transienis 111power systems. and powcr supply quality

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