Integrating power quality sensors in a wireless network

Due to the present continuous development of more and more power efficient electronic devices, a comprehensive analysis of the power quality within an energy distribution area is a difficult task. Since filtering and compensation devices for power factor are no longer a solution, the continuous monitoring and control of power quality for each device in an energy distribution network becomes mandatory. A better solution is to integrate power quality sensors in each electronic device and to implement a control solution for continuous network surveillance. The large number of electronics devices targeted for power quality surveillance usually raises the problem of integrating the sensors in a control network. The paper presents a model of a power quality control system consisting of a distributed network of sensors integrated in a wireless network in order to reduce wire harnesses and to implement a fast communication link with each sensor or controller device. The main challenges of such a design along with its benefits are detailed. The proposed system allows a better energy control along with efficient communication architecture, increasing the power quality "awareness" of the energy distribution network.