Power Quality Monitoring and Assessment of a Typical Commercial Building

Due to increase in the proliferation of non-linear loads as a result of energy-saving measures, there is a tremendous daily increase in the power quality disturbance created by these power electronics equipment and devices which are the major sources of voltage and current distortions in the distribution networks. Non-linear loads like personal computers, compact fluorescent lamps, printers, and other switch mode power supply equipment at residential, commercial and industrial levels has also increased the concern about power quality in the distribution networks. Power quality monitoring and analysis of electrical distribution networks are important in maintaining a reliable and stable power system. It also helps in reducing the financial losses to both utility and customer, and major breakdown of the power system equipment. The main aim of this paper is to assess and analyze the power quality of a typical commercial building with varieties of nonlinear loads. The parameters considered under this assessment are voltage and current imbalances, active and reactive power, waveform distortions, and quality of power factor. while the measurements were obtained with the help of HT Power Quality Analyzer. The results of the study carried out on the power quality assessment of the old Engineering building of University of Cape Town are presented in this paper to show the extent of power quality issues caused by the recent increase in number of nonlinear loads in the distribution networks