Power quality characteristics of rural electric secondary power systems

The occurrence of power supply anomalies (e.g., voltage sags, surges and swells, sustained under and overvoltages, etc.) originating on the secondary side of rural facilities and high utilization voltage levels can often damage and/or disrupt rural computerized processes, electric equipment, and interrupt loads, a costly issue for rural society. This paper attempts to answer several questions concerning the frequency and duration of voltage sags, swells, and surges posed by rural customers and reveals the statistical characteristics of the utilization voltage levels at rural sites. The answers to these questions are based on the national survey results of the frequency and duration of voltage sags and surges at rural sites monitored at their utilization voltage levels. The survey results provide a knowledge base for monitoring, operating electric equipment, and designing and utilizing power quality mitigating technologies in rural electric environments.