A new, ultra-low-cost power quality and energy measurement technology bringing smartgrid on the factory and automation floor

Abstract

This paper introduces a new application for Power Quality and Energy Monitoring: embedding power quality monitors inside sensitive industrial, commercial, automation, manufacturing and medical equipment – and bringing SmartGrid to the factory and automation floor. Using power quality monitors to solve intermittent problems has also been limited by the cost of monitors. In this case, the monitors are generally installed at the equipment terminals. So the monitors can either directly interface with the load, or they can interface via e-mail or WebServer with a remotely connected user. In addition the new technology also combines a high accuracy energy monitor that can precisely control loads based on the load profile. It also introduces IEC 61000-4-30 which is an excellent standard that ensures that all compliant power quality instruments, regardless of manufacturer, will produce the same results when connected to the same signal. However, instruments that comply with the Class A requirements of this standard have, until now, been too expensive for common use. Now a new set of technologies developed by an American company, in cooperation with a Japanese company, demonstrate that it is possible to manufacture three-phase power quality instruments that are fully compliant with the Class A requirements of IEC 61000-4-30, and to do so at ultra-low-cost, allowing these monitoring devices to be used even at entry levels of individual loads.