Performance assessment of grid frequency measurements in a smart power quality meter

In modern electrical systems, power quality monitoring has become a crucial aspect across various applications, ranging from industrial plants to household electrical systems. Poor power quality can have significant economic and operational impacts, including reduced reliability and availability of the electrical grid, as well as shortened lifespans of connected equipment. Moreover, inadequate power quality increases the likelihood of hazardous situations, potentially leading to significant safety risks. To address these challenges, numerous academic and industrial research efforts have been devoted to developing instruments capable of detecting and quantifying disturbances in the electrical grid. Compared to traditional energy meters, these power quality monitoring devices require more advanced sampling and processing capabilities to analyze disturbance parameters effectively. This paper investigates the development of a low-cost power quality meter capable of measuring key electrical quantities to define the most common Power Quality metrics. Specifically, the study focuses on the characterization of frequency measurements, assessing whether the device complies with the common requirements outlined in current standards. Additionally, the meter’s performance is evaluated across a wide temperature range, from -20 °C to 100 °C, to identify any potential drifts caused by environmental conditions typical of real industrial scenarios.