Why understanding power quality is now critical
ELECTRICAL & ELECTRONICS POWER QUALITY PAYS
CP AUTOMATION
Why understanding power quality is now critical
Industrial facilities are experiencing transformation. Electrification, automation and digitalisation are all reshaping production, with different sites now integrating more robotics, drives and intelligent equipment to stay competitive. While impressive, these technological advances can lead to growing power quality challenges that directly impact productivity and reliability, explains John Mitchell, global sales and marketing director at power quality specialist CP Automation.
In recent years, we’ ve seen more facilities use non-linear loads such as variable speed drives( VSDs), robotics and switch-mode power supplies. While these technologies improve efficiency, they can distort electrical waveforms, causing harmonics and other disturbances.
Take VSDs, for example. They deliver strong motor control, but can introduce harmonics that overheat transformers, damage components and reduce equipment life unless properly managed.
As facilities introduce more robotics and automated lines, equipment sensitivity increases. Robots, PLCs and advanced control systems require stable power for reliable operation. Poor power quality can lead to nuisance tripping,
Unmanaged poor power quality will only hurt productivity and profits.
unexpected shutdowns and inconsistent machine performance. Over time, these issues can damage components and shorten equipment lifespan.
From power quality to profitability
It’ s easy to underestimate the commercial consequences. Equipment designed to operate for decades can fail prematurely when subjected to persistent electrical stress. Production interruptions reduce Overall Equipment Effectiveness( OEE), increase maintenance demands and disrupt delivery schedules.
The impact is beyond operational. Reduced uptime, higher maintenance costs and energy inefficiencies all eat away at profit margins, ultimately affecting both profitability and stakeholder returns. As production becomes more automated, the cost of electrical disturbances will only rise alongside.
If there’ s one takeaway, it’ s this: Unmanaged poor power quality will only hurt productivity and profits.
Measurement as a competitive advantage
Despite these risks, many facilities lack visibility of what’ s happening within their electrical networks. Basic voltage, frequency and current meters often track consumption only, offering minimal insight into issues such as voltage sags, transients or harmonic distortion that silently degrade equipment.
Modern power quality meters and analysers can capture a far wider range of parameters, enabling engineers to detect emerging issues before they cause downtime. Continuous monitoring can help operators pinpoint root causes, justify corrective action and protect critical assets.
By working with specialist partners, facilities can understand and correct power quality issues early. For example, CP Automation supplies a range of monitoring and mitigation technologies from partners including Powerside, Comsys and REVCON, which can help protect sensitive equipment from damaging transients and voltage disturbances.
To find out more, visit https:// www. cpaltd. net / industries / power-quality /
64 PECM Issue 79