Canadian rural power quality statistical characteristics

The operational performance and life expectancy of electronic and electrical equipment used in rural industrial environments ranging from poultry to dairy farms to feedlots is dependent upon the quality of power being delivered to these facilities. The occurrence of power quality anomalies (e.g., voltage sags, swells and surges) which significantly disrupt rural industrial processes is a costly issue for society. This paper will present the results of a statistically analysis of the rural CEA national power quality survey data base and present its findings. The origins of these disturbances and the patterns of occurrence (e.g., time of day, day of week, season, etc.) of voltage sags, swells and surges that occurred at these rural sites will be presented and discussed. Site voltage profiles as a function of the time in a day will also be analyzed and compared with the CSA national standard: CAN3-C235-83 "preferred voltage levels for AC systems, 0 to 50,000 volts, electric power systems and equipment". The voltage profiles and power quality statistical results will define the electrical environment in which rural electronic and electrical systems must operate and provide the basis for mitigating technologies to minimize the impact of these voltage supply anomalies on susceptible equipment.