One of a utilitys core responsibilities is to deliver voltage to customers

within a suitable range, so utilities must regulate the voltage.

On distribution circuits, voltage drops due to current flowing through the line impedances. Primary and secondary voltage drop can be allocated as necessary along the circuit to provide end users with suitable voltage. Voltage regulators

in the substation or on feeders can adjust primary voltage.

Voltage Standards

ANSI voltage standard specifies acceptable operational ranges at two

locations on electric power systems: Service voltage Utilization voltage The standard allows for some voltage drop within a facility, so service

voltage requirements are tighter than utilization requirements.

The standard also defines ranges of voltage: Range A

Most service voltages are within these limits, and utilities should design
electric systems to provide service voltages within these limits. As the standard says, voltage excursions should be infrequent.

 Range B These requirements are more relaxed than Range A limits. According to the standard: Although such conditions are a part of practical operations, they shall be limited in extent, frequency, and

duration.
When they occur, corrective measures shall be undertaken within a reasonable time to improve voltages to meet Range A requirements. utilization equipment should give acceptable performance when operating within the Range B utilization limits, insofar as practical according to the standard.

Effect of voltage variations on low-voltage and medium-voltage utilization equipment General effect of voltage variations on induction-motor characteristics

Synchronous motors Synchronous motors are affected in the same manner as induction motors, except that the speed remains constant (unless the frequency changes) and the maximum or pull-out torque varies directly with the voltage if the field voltage remains constant, as in the case where the field is supplied by a generator on the same shaft with the motor. If the field voltage varies with the line voltage as in the case of a static rectifier source, then the maximum or pull-out torque varies as the square of the voltage. Incandescent lamps The light output and life of incandescent filament lamps are critically affected by the impressed voltage.

Fluorescent lamps Light output for magnetic ballasts varies approximately in direct proportion to the applied voltage. Thus a 1% increase in applied voltage will increase the light output by 1% and, conversely, a decrease of 1% in the applied voltage will reduce the light output by 1%. High-intensity discharge (HID) lamps (mercury, sodium, and metal halide) Mercury lamps using a typical reactor ballast will have a 12% change in light output for a 5% change in terminal voltage. HID lamps may extinguish when the terminal voltage drops below 75% of rated voltage.

The lamp life is related inversely to the number of starts so that, if lowvoltage conditions require repeated starting, lamp life will be reduced. Excessively high voltage raises the arc temperature, which could

damage the glass enclosure if the temperature approaches the glass

softening point. Capacitors The reactive power output of capacitors varies with the square of the impressed voltage. A drop of 10% in the supply voltage, therefore,

reduces the reactive power output by 19%.

Solenoid-operated devices The pull of ac solenoids varies approximately as the square of the

voltage. In general, solenoids are designed to operate satisfactorily on

10% overvoltage and 15% undervoltage.