Assessment of Electrical Power Quality Parameters in an Industrial Electrical System

This paper evaluates the characteristic parameters of the permanent regime of power quality in an electrical system within a service industry focused on metal-mechanic engineering solutions, encompassing the design, manufacture, and repair of structural components for mining equipment. The significance of this study arises from the escalating power quality issues attributed to the company's technological processes heavily reliant on non-linear electrical loads. The investigation encompasses a comprehensive survey of the company, delineating and contrasting the measured and computed variables against acceptable thresholds stipulated by prevailing regulations. The measurements and analyses were conducted on a 3000 kVA PCC transformer with a designated voltage of 13.8 kV/460 V and ten transformers with capacities ranging from 10 kVA to 250 kVA, catering to individual circuits. Within the scope of the study, challenges pertaining to voltage fluctuations, current imbalances, and current harmonic distortions emerged in nine out of the ten individual circuit transformers, whereas the PCC exhibited no discernible issues concerning the quality of electrical power. The outcomes underscore that within an industrial electrical system, there exists the possibility that the quality parameters of electrical power align with normative thresholds at the PCC level. However, such conformity may not extend to individual circuits, potentially giving rise to power quality complications, subsequently curtailing the operational lifespan of equipment, and inducing energy losses within the industrial setting.