Power quality

Power quality is an issue that is becoming increasingly important to electricity consumers at all levels of usage. Sensitive equipment and nonlinear loads are now more commonplace in both the industrial/commercial sectors and the domestic environment. Because of this a heightened awareness of power quality is developing amongst electricity users. Occurrences affecting the electricity supply that were once considered acceptable by electricity companies and users are now often considered a problem to the users of everyday equipment. This article introduces the subject of power quality and outlines the increasing relevance of a range of issues including sources of power quality problems, power quality measurement, and amelioration of power quality problems.