Electrical network diagnostics and power quality measurement
Power quality measurement in your home
Is the light flickering? Are your electronic devices failing one after another and nobody can tell you why? Network analysis can provide the answer to these questions.
What does this measurement involve?
Power quality measurement is the instrument-based examination of the quality of the voltage arriving at the electrical installation of a flat or house. We install a professional recording instrument (Fluke VR1710) on the installation, which records every event continuously and without interruption for days or even weeks. It does not take a snapshot. It also records what happens on your installation at two in the morning, within a single second.
During the measurement it records, among other things:
- the behaviour of the voltage (minimum, maximum, average) with a timestamp accurate to the second,
- the overvoltages, voltage dips and interruptions,
- the transients, those lightning-fast voltage surges that damage electronics unnoticed.
- the harmonic distortion (THD) caused by modern switch-mode loads and inverters.
- the flicker, that is, the voltage fluctuation that makes lamps flicker.
At the end of the measurement you receive a clear evaluation illustrated with graphs, which shows in black and white what is happening on your installation. On request we also issue a formal certificate with which you can approach your supplier.
When is it needed?
For example, if there are many solar installations in a street, the network is sometimes overloaded and the voltage can creep above the permitted 253 V. Sustained high voltage prematurely ages every appliance in the household. The measurement record documents exactly when and by how much the voltage exceeded or fell below the limits, allowing you to make a well-founded report to your supplier.
If your equipment fails for no apparent reason. Power supplies, LED light sources, the fridge, air conditioner or computer: if these fail one after another, hidden overvoltages or transients are often responsible. The measurement shows whether the fault comes from the network or is to be found inside the building.
If you are in dispute with your supplier. The mains voltage must remain within the tolerance laid down in the standard. You cannot see with your own eyes what is happening in the socket, but recorded measurement data is objective, timestamped evidence with which your complaint can be substantiated when you approach your supplier.
If you experience disturbing phenomena. Flickering lighting, humming appliances, equipment switching off for no reason, electronics "going haywire" at night. There is almost always a power quality problem behind all of these, which continuous recording identifies precisely. Flickering lamps are more than just annoying. Light fluctuation that is often no longer visible to the naked eye can contribute to headaches, eye strain and difficulty concentrating. The measurement shows whether the flicker is caused by voltage fluctuation on the network or whether the fault lies in the light source or its driver.
How does it work?
Installing the instrument is quick and involves no power cut. After we have agreed the arrangements, you decide how long you want us to record the events on your installation. This can be a single day or as much as two weeks. We plug the pre-programmed analyser into a wall socket. Operation is confirmed by a pulsing pale green LED, so we do not recommend running it in a bedroom or anywhere else where this might be disturbing. During this period you can use your electrical installation exactly as before; indeed this is essential in order to obtain more accurate measurement results.
What do you receive after the analysis?
Once the analysis has run, you can request either digital results or a formal certificate. We evaluate the results for you and go through them with you in person or by telephone. If you wish, we will also propose a technical solution to any problem identified.