Power quality is measured according to how close it conforms to characteristics of being uninterrupted and stable – having zero distortion and being free of disturbance. The power quality impacts diverse aspects of operational capabilities and can reduce its ability to produce efficiently and cost-effectively. To counteract it requires investing in measures that result in power quality improvement.
Benefits
When a company looks at its current (and future) overall energy distribution and its characteristics, it becomes obvious why it is imperative to invest in power quality improvement. A result is several benefits including:
- Reduction in potential damage to equipment including premature aging, failure and outages
- Reduces energy cost: While poor quality power can decrease productivity while increasing energy costs, power quality improvements have the opposite effect by reducing in AC motors
- Heat
- Vibration
- Noise
- Increases the lifespan of machinery: This results from less maintenance required and less damage inflicted through diverse poor power quality
- Maximizes production and increases efficiency: Poor power quality can result in disruptions to the power that operates an industry’s production line. Machinery stoppage from power interruption, even if only of short duration, can negatively affect the output
- Lower energy costs: These are direct savings to a company resulting from improved power quality
Power Quality Improvement: A Smart Investment
By investing in power quality improvement, a company will reap several benefits. Energy costs decrease. Production is more reliable as the performance of machinery improves, maintenance decreases and the equipment lasts longer.
