Power quality solution alternatives for low and medium voltage continuous process loads

Critical process industries have always expressed concern about utility disturbances that impact their operations. These companies spend millions each year on process improvements and automation, which often greatly increases the sensitivity of their plant loads to voltage sags and outages. Since the electrical service environment is different for each location, the mitigation of utility power problems is a "site-by-site" process. This paper addresses alternatives that are available to mitigate these events and provide cost effective solutions. This paper covers voltage sag, voltage flicker and outage mitigation systems ranging from 300 kVA at low voltage to over 30 MVA at medium voltage levels. Examples of actual installations are presented along with information as to how the mitigation system choice was made