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What are Transients?

August 13, 2016 by Peter Parcon

Aside from being one of the common power problems, transients are also the most damaging. Transients are basically sudden changes in voltage or current. The main causes of transients are lightning strikes, inadequate grounding and switching of devices, among others. These events can cause computers to lose data and equipment to fail. Transients are divided into two subcategories, impulsive transients and oscillatory transients.

APC Back UPS 500 - Surge ProtectionImpulsive transients are sudden and excessive increases in power that can cause voltage or current to go up or down. These kinds of transients are also called power spikes, bumps and glitches. While the main cause of an impulsive transient is a lightning strike, it is not necessary for lightning to strike the equipment since the electro-magnetic field surrounding lightning is enough to affect structures that can conduct electricity. One way to protect against an impulsive transient is to use a device that can control voltage or surge protection devices. Another way to protect against impulsive transients is to control the temperature and moisture of the room where the data center is located.

On the other hand, oscillatory transients happen when the polarity of voltage or current goes up and down at a rapid rate. In other words, it goes from negative to positive and back at a fast pace. An oscillatory transient happens when machines, like a motor, is suddenly turned off. This situation is similar to rapidly shutting off a faucet where a hammering noise can be heard coming from the pipes. The hammering noise comes as the water flowing through the pipes resist this sudden change.

Uninterruptible power supply devices include surge protection and so can be used to reduce the effect of impulsive and oscillatory transients. But, these devices may not be able to prevent them from happening, especially when they happen in a shop using heavy machinery.

References:

http://www.powerqualityworld.com/2011/05/oscillatory-transients-power-system.html

http://www.on365.co.uk/Power__and__Cooling/Most_Common_Power_Problems.aspx

http://www.apcmedia.com/salestools/VAVR-5WKLPK/VAVR-5WKLPK_R1_EN.pdf?sdirect=true

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/6-common-power-problems-ted-ochieng-otieno-cem-?forceNoSplash=true

Filed Under: Tips Tagged With: Impulsive Transients, Oscillatory Transients, Transients

Seven Main Types of Power Problems

August 13, 2016 by Peter Parcon

Issues with power supply often lead to losses amounting to billions of dollars every year. The following are the seven main power problems identified by an international standards organization, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.

Transients

Transients are the most damaging types of power problems. These are sudden changes in power and are referred to as power surges or power spikes. In this situation, power goes up beyond its normal range and causes an overload, which in turn causes damage to equipment connected to it.

APC Back UPS CS 500 vaInterruptions

An interruption is a total loss of power resulting from damage to the power supply grid. The damage may be caused by equipment failure or lightning strikes, among others. These interruptions may last from a few seconds to a couple of hours.

Sag or Undervoltage

A sag or undervoltage is basically a temporary drop in the power whenever heavy machinery is used. Power supply drops since these machines require a huge amount of power. The situation was once called a brownout before the term undervoltage was used.

Swell/Overvoltage

A swell or overvoltage is the opposite of a sag or undervoltage. It is a situation when the power supply is higher than the demand for it. Swells or overvoltages can cause equipment to overheat and lights to flicker.

Waveform distortion

Waveform distortions are changes in the frequency leading to data loss and equipment failure. The five main types of wave distortion problems are DC Offset, Notching, Noise, Harmonics, and Interharmonics.

Voltage Fluctuations

Voltage fluctuations are situations when voltage rises and falls erratically. Whenever machinery with high power needs is turned on, voltage fluctuations normally occur.

Frequency variations

Frequency variations normally happen in areas powered by a standby generator or areas with an unstable power supply. Equipment connected to these power sources will operate inefficiently.

These power problems can be remedied through the use of appropriate UPS systems available in the market today.

References:

http://www.on365.co.uk/Power__and__Cooling/Most_Common_Power_Problems.aspx

http://www.apcmedia.com/salestools/VAVR-5WKLPK/VAVR-5WKLPK_R1_EN.pdf?sdirect=true

 https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/6-common-power-problems-ted-ochieng-otieno-cem-?forceNoSplash=true

Filed Under: Tips Tagged With: frequency variations, sag, swell, Transients, uninterrupted power supply, uninterruptible power supply, voltage fluctuations, waveform distortion

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