The Facts about Grid Stability
In many areas, especially densely populated locations like large towns and cities, the national electricity grid and distribution networks are operating at (or close to) their limit. The addition and inclusion of more and more renewable energy sources is increasing the risk of instability – especially at peak demand.
Mains energy is known to be unstable, which is why a primary purpose of UPS (uninterruptible power supply) is to condition the voltage so that it is delivered to connected loads in a stable form.
Power Problems
Power problems associated with raw mains energy are defined as any variation in electrical power resulting in a malfunction or equipment failure. Power problems include: sags, surges, brownouts, electrical noise, spikes, transients and harmonics, alongside frequency variations and complete blackouts.
Part of a power continuity plan is to assess power quality, which can be done by connecting portable power monitoring devices to three or single-phase mains power supplies to record disturbances over a certain period of time. The results of such a test will assist in providing the right power protection system, with the highest possible levels of reliability and resilience and power conditioning.
It’s not only problems brought about by external mains power, however, that can cause problems for connected loads. Certain types of power load that are connected internally to the site’s electricity distribution system, such as motor loads (lifts, mechanical machinery), certain types of lighting (Tungsten) and air-conditioning, can cause problems for equipment upstream without the correct filtering and power conditioning. Certain loads may be active and others reactive and this too can create problems for upstream and downstream loads.
It is because of these facts that grid supplied electricity stability cannot be relied upon and that internal loads differ in their characteristics that selecting and specifying the right UPS topology and technology is so important, as is installation, monitoring of it once installed and on-going maintenance.
Comprehensive information about power monitoring and conditioning, plus grid stability can be found in The Power Protection Guide – the design, installation and operation of uninterruptible power supplies. Visit our website for details of the products and services we supply.