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Transformer failure is an increasingly common problem
Designers and manufacturers will inherently acknowledge that the optimum limit of any transformer is less than the plate rated value, typically around 80%. Justification for this will vary, however, due to complexities, the reasoning is rarely considerate of the heating effect of non-linear loads. Modern loads such as LED lighting and inverter drives draw power at multiples of the fundamental frequency. The results of this phenomenon are commonly referred to as harmonics.
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These higher order frequencies have a pronounced impact on the quality of the power and the heating effect on the transformer. Failure to identify and mitigate these characteristics may lead to the overheating and catastrophic failure of the transformer, which is increasingly common. RPQ will indicate if the true loading and spare capacity of the transformer.
Harmonics – How much is too much?
This is dependent upon a several variables. Harmonic components are assessed during typical peak utilisation periods and benchmarked against recommended limits.
The application of engineering solutions is carefully considered in conjunction with site- specific criteria and harvested data. RPQ will indicate the necessity for mitigation, as required and will also monitor the effectiveness of such solutions through regression analysis.
Inrush currents and voltage dips cause nuisance tripping and system malfunctions
Short duration events often go unnoticed but are commonly responsible for costly interruptions to supplies and production processes.
The ability to capture the time, duration and magnitude of such events is paramount. RPQ will profile and tabulate the most significant events, which will assist in identifying workable solutions for the facility operator.
Power Quality analysis and ongoing risk management
RPQ’s engineers have decades of experience solving complex power quality problems. Our Remote Power Quality Analytics Platform analyses data from your fixed metering systems to:
1. Identify existing Power Quality problems
2. Identify emerging problems including upstream
changes and failing systems
3. Provide clear, actionable information to help solve these problems
4. Capture events and seasonal demands
5. Providing ongoing analysis and support
6. Do this at a fraction of the cost of a typical site study
The true cost of poor power quality
The Electrical Power Research Institute calculated
that poor power quality cost US businesses between
$119-188bn in lost revenue with 4% of companies
reporting annual costs of 10% or more of annual
revenue. Poor ‘Power Quality’ is estimated to cost
industry and commerce in the EU in excess of 150
billion euros per annum.
Poor Quality causes:
The RPQ facility has a number of unique advantages
Reporting facility key features;
• Calculate true transformer loading and spare capacity.
• Voltage management assessment & calculation of potential savings.
• Site specific harmonic analysis and identification of mitigation solutions, as required.
• Power factor & reactive power assessment and identification of compensation, where applicable.
• Regression analysis to identify failing or undersized systems such as power factor correction and harmonic filtration.
• Calculate and monitor changes in upstream
supply voltage and background harmonic
voltage distortion.
• Detection of imbalance and migration required.
• Time stamped voltage events for association with plant & equipment failures.
• Capture of inrush current events and assessment against specific overload protection settings.
• Computation of transformer losses and energy savings associated with modern replacements.
• Ongoing monitoring & support.