Power Quality Notes

• Print Page
• Email Page

General Notes

• Power Quality in Your Home (PDF, 575 KB)
  Ensure the life and reliable operation of your home electronics.
• Power Quality Checklist (PDF, 30 KB)
  Identify and solve power problems for sensitive equipment.
• Power System Harmonics (PDF, 182 KB)
  Learn about power system harmonics, their potential problems and solutions.
• Understanding Electrical Power Characteristics (PDF, 118 KB)
  Learn about voltage ranges, power components, electrical disturbances, and more.
• Voltage Tolerance Boundary (PDF, 192 KB)
  The computer industry guideline for data center electrical distribution environments.
• Short Duration Voltage Sags (PDF, 313 KB)
  Learn what causes sags, their impacts and possible solutions.
• Lightning Protection (PDF, 24 KB)
  Learn how to safeguard almost any facility, equipment, or person.
• Telecommunications Interference (PDF, 108 KB)
  This Power Note discusses the basics of telecommunication interference.
• Performance Grounding and Wiring for Sensitive Equipment (PDF, 409 KB)
  Learn the basics of grounding design and applicable NEC grounding requirements. Additional guidance is presented beyond the NEC requirements to establish maximum performance associated with sensitive electronic equipment grounding.

Motors

• Motor Controls (PDF, 247 KB)
  In addition to providing a general description of operating issues, this paper makes particular note of nuisance tripping issues.
• Economics of Power Factor Correction (PDF, 203 KB)
  Learn how the power factor adjustment is calculated and when it may be appropriate to make corrections.
• Open-phase Protection Issues for Motors (PDF, 31 KB)
  This power note discusses open-phase protection issues for motors.
• Voltage and Current Measurement of Non-Sinusoidal AC Power (PDF, 35 KB)
  Learn about Voltage and Current Measurement of Non-Sinusoidal AC Power.
• Voltage Unbalance and Motors (PDF, 42 KB)
  This power note is intended to provide a brief overview of voltage unbalance, the related standards, and possible mitigation techniques to improve unbalance.

Mitigation

• Surge Suppressors (PDF, 184 KB)
  Learn how to select an appropriate transient voltage surge suppressor for your needs.
• Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) (PDF, 274 KB)
  Learn how to select a UPS for small, stand-alone, single-phase computer applications.
• Voltage Sag Ride through Mitigation in Sequence by Increasing Cost (PDF, 143 KB)
  This note focuses on solutions to voltage sags.

Variable Frequency Drives

• Application of Line Reactors or DC Link Reactors for Variable Frequency Drives (PDF, 213 KB)
  Learn how to apply line reactors or DC link reactors to variable-frequency drives (VFDs).
• Methods for Mitigating Voltage Sag Impact on Variable Frequency Drives (PDF, 172 KB)
  When purchasing a new VFD, you can specify sag ride through options but you must also program the drive to use them.
• Effect of Variable Frequency Drive Output Voltage on Motor Insulation (PDF, 168 KB)
  Learn some simple precautions to avoid premature failure in your drives.
• Solution of EMI Problems from Operation of Variable Frequency Drives (PDF, 165 KB)
  Minimize EMI problems by separating and shielding power conductors from control conductors.

Resources

• Publications (PDF, 34 KB)
  A list of Power Quality publications that may be of interest.
• References (PDF, 16 KB)
  A list of reference books and articles on various power quality topics. This reference material may also be available at your local bookstore, library or online store.
• Power Quality Standards (PDF, 17 KB)
  Standards and guidelines are continually being developed to help you interface sensitive electronic equipment with the real world and help you avoid power quality problems. This list is available for your reference.
• Vendors and Manufacturers (PDF, 510 KB)
  A list of vendors and manufacturers of power quality equipment. PG&E does not endorse any vendor or manufacturer nor are these complete or accurate lists of all vendors and manufacturers.
• Consultants (PDF, 37 KB)
  A list of power quality consultants. PG&E does not endorse any consultant nor is this a complete or accurate list of all consultants.