Power Quality Improvement for Residential Customers of Distribution Network through Monitoring

In today's technologically advanced world, the modern man depends so much on continuous supply of electrical energy. The major world economies demand not only sufficient quantity but equally clean power for continued functioning of a wide array of appliances and equipment for everyday safety, security, mobility and economic welfare. Improving the quality and reliability of electricity supply has been a major factor behind deregulation and electricity reforms globally. In Nigeria, the debilitating effects of instability in the power sector on the socioeconomic lives of the people has left much to be desired. Presently in Nigeria, perhaps due to inadequate power supply; not much emphasis has been laid on monitoring particularly in the distribution network. The need for power monitoring as a tool for improving the quality has been emphasized in the literature. This paper presents power quality survey carried out in residential areas of distribution network using Power analyzer equipment. Various power quality parameters were monitored continuously as they were logged in for every ten seconds. The data obtained were then analyzed. Results show that the quality of power measured was below the international standard. Voltage values around 90V were continuously logged in for some periods in parts of the network monitored. The result of this survey can help to contribute to industry standards development relating to power quality and effective performance assessment of distribution companies. It can equally help to establish a more effective communication between the customer and the electrical utility.