 |
|
Steps for Resolving Your Problem
A recent study by the Electric Power Research Institute, a consortium supported by utility companies, estimated that power failures cost the United States economy $104 billion a year and that power quality problems such as spikes, surges and drops cost an additional $15 billion. Expenditures to address these problems each year run into the billions of dollars.
When power quality problems are suspected in a facility, a number of systematic and cost-effective steps should be taken to resolve the problems including:
Steps to Troubleshooting
Make an inventory of all equipment in the facility, noting all equipment vulnerable to a disturbance.
Create a disturbance log and enter the symptoms experienced.
- What equipment was affected?
- What was the time and frequency of occurrence?
- What was the correlation to other events or operations in the facility?
- What new equipment has been added or what changes in existing equipment have occurred?
Inspect wiring and grounding by checking for loose connections, defective breakers or fuses, and short circuits.
- Determine if new circuits have been added or if existing circuits have been modified.
- Examine the circuit to the affected equipment, particularly the grounding and circuit capacity.
Perform measuring and monitoring of the circuit voltage and if necessary, record voltages using a line disturbance analyzer.
Analyze and evaluate all of the information.
Resolve the problem by implementing appropriate solutions.
- Enlist the services of the equipment supplier to examine the equipment.
- Take steps to ensure that wiring and grounding are proper.
- Provide surge protection on all circuits with sensitive equipment.
- Evaluate the need for additional power quality equipment (isolation, regulation, UPS, etc.).
|
|
|
