Trip Down Memory Lane – 13 October 2000

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October 13, 2021

12:00 pm

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Voltage Dip

On October 13, 2000, the Public Utilities Board announced, “New Measures to Control Voltage Dips”, which went effective on 1 November 2000.

The new measures include reviewing a licensed electrical engineer  (LEE)’s performance if the electrical installation(s) under his charge had caused a total of 3 voltage dips, within a period of 2 years.

This was the beginning of having all voltage dip incidents (date, site, LEE-in-charge) published on the Authority’s website.

From The National Archives Singapore

Then, the utility’s (PowerGrid) power quality section, the Power Quality and Load Analysis (PQLA) section, was just being formed. The island-wide power quality monitoring system (PQMS) was still in the works. It became operational somewhere in 2001-2002 with 80+ PQ monitors monitoring voltage levels from 22kV to 230kV.

Singapore’s 230kV transmission network was just being split into two networks, effectively minimizing the impact of a 230kV voltage dip from one another.

Voltage dip, then and now is still a costly affair for sensitive industries. While just lasting in terms of milliseconds, it can have a detrimental impact on production processes, especially those in the semiconductor-related industries.

The utility via its subsidiary (SP Systems) introduced (shortly after in October 2002), a voltage dip mitigation device, known as the Dynacom. It was a single-phase ultra-capacitor-based device meant to compensate voltage dips as low as 40% of nominal and for up to 1 second.  It was targeted at protecting sensitive control circuits.

SP Systems Dynacom
SP Systems Dynacom

Fast track to today and the number of PQ monitors has more than doubled. The PQMS has enabled the utility to keep track and map out its voltage dip performance (System Average RMS Frequency Index – SARFI map) to the various regions of the island.

An Old SARFI map
An Old SARFI map

Singapore’s 230kV transmission network has since being split into 4 parts, limiting the significant impact of a 230kV voltage dip to just 1/4 of the island.

With inter-connectivity to our ASEAN neighbours being the talk of the town these days to improve the reliability of the electricity grid, we must not forget it does come with some downside as well.

Being inter-connected, any fault that occurred in one country’s electrical network can be seen in another. For instance, right now, Singapore is connected to Malaysia at 230kV. Any faults on either side of the network will be seen by both.

Here, in a recent event whereby a Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB)’s transformer was reported to have tripped. It had caused a voltage variation here in the eastern part of Singapore.

22kV Voltage Variation 8/9/2021 0432hrs

Context / Background of The Measurement Matters

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August 8, 2021

1:23 pm

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General Power Quality, PQ monitoring

A critical step in conducting an accurate power or power quality monitoring is the measurement/monitoring setup itself.

There are generally three guiding principles, to verify that the voltage and current probes have been connected correctly, to the ‘Circuit Under Test’.

  1. Voltage and Current phasor pairings are ‘together’
    (An inductive circuit will have the I lagging the V, and a capacitive circuit will have the I leading the V).
  2. Positive ‘Watts’ values
    (for a load centre).
  3. The context/background of the measurement
Voltage/Current phasor paired together and Positive kW – an example

Many consider that the first two principles are sufficient to ensure a correct connection of the instrument to the ‘Circuit Under Test’.

Unfortunately, this is not 100% true.

The context of the measurement will still need to be considered closely.

For instance, monitoring at load-end and seeing power factor values in the region of 0.5-0.6 may be ‘normal’.

But to see these same poor power factor values at the main incomer circuit of a large electrical installation? Well, one should re-check at how the instrument was connected.

The following example illustrates the importance of context/background of the measurement.

In one simple glance, values shown on the analyzer seem ok.

  1. The first two guiding principles were met.
  2. Voltage values seems to match the switchboard’s voltmeter.
  3. Current values seems to match the switchboard’s ammeter.

However, the power factor seems to be very poor, for an incomer circuit of a large electrical installation complex.

For context, these were the characteristics of the ‘Circuit Under Test’

  1. It is at medium-voltage level (with an active voltage regulation).
  2. At this MV level, the electrical installation will be penalized when the kVarh of the month exceeds 62% of its kWh consumption (translates to a power factor of poorer than 0.85).
  3. Loadings at this incomer level are expected to be fairly balanced.
Voltage/Current Phasor – as found

Thus, it is highly unlikely that the phasor diagram obtained is true of the ‘Circuit Under Test’.

Further checks revealed that two different set of errors have occurred upon connection of the instrument to the circuit.

  1. Wrong phase was clamped
    Clamp I1 was on Phase I3; Clamp I2 was on Phase I1; Clamp I3 was on Phase I2
  2. Wrong direction
    The clamps ‘arrow’s were pointed towards source (instead of load).

Before (left) and After (right) Corrections

It was also observed that the clamps used in this measurement have not been labelled (I1, I2, I3, etc respectively). This probably contributed significantly in the errors above.

A good practice is to have all the voltage test leads and clamps test leads labelled (on both ends) before ever using the instrument on-site.

Labelling test leads on both ends upon purchase – is a must

Frequency Changes During A Voltage Dip

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April 8, 2021

11:00 pm

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PQ monitoring, Voltage Dip

“Does frequency changes during a voltage dip?” – A favourite question among many. The answer is “Yes”.

This will be quickly followed by “But why our power quality monitor did not show significant changes in the frequency values even though a voltage dip event was captured?” The general answer is that the standard (IEC 61000-4-30) does not require it to measure such detailed changes in frequency values.

With the voltage waveforms captured, it is technically possible to calculate the frequency values during a particular event (say a voltage dip). Here’s an example, where the event waveforms were post-processed (via the Dranetz Dranview 7 software).

Such post-processing feature is very useful especially in generator load-test applications, where one will be interested to know both the voltage and frequency changes during every step-load change. An example is shown below. One just need to ensure that the pre/during/post event waveforms were set to be captured properly (i.e enough cycles). The software will do the rest.

Voltage Dip 13/09/2020 1857hrs

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September 13, 2020

8:36 pm

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PQ monitoring, Voltage Dip

Earlier this evening, there was a voltage dip that occurred just before 7pm. The following is a waveform captured at Low Voltage (monitored at L-N), located in the city area.

Reports of voltage dips from other PQ monitors in other transmission blocks suggest this was a Transmission-level fault.

Voltage Dip 13/09/2020 1857hrs (LV L-N)

Voltage waveform seen here was at LV (L-N). It mirrored what was seen at 22kV and above (at L-L). From here, it can be inferred that there was a transmission level single phase fault (Phase L1).

Mr. Harmonics II

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March 9, 2020

10:00 pm

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Harmonics

Harmonics gets people confused all the time. Some typical remarks will be like; “the neutral current harmonics are extremely high” or “burnt marks on the isolator were caused by harmonics”.

Here are 3 simple guidelines for harmonics in general LV applications.

  1. Keep Voltage THD% below <5%. While there has been revisions in standards like IEEE-519 (revising upward from 5% to 8% for LV), trust me, keeping VTHD < 5% will make life easier for everyone (utility, facilities dept and end-users).
  2. “Total harmonic content of the load current not exceeding 5% of rated current.” This is stated as one of the normal service conditions for a standard distribution transformer. Thus, it is a good practice to keep the total current harmonics < 5% of the transformer’s rated current (eg. 1MVA 22kV/0.433kV TF – rated current 1333A; total harmonic current shall be less than 67A).
  3. Current THD% may gives you misleading results (see my other post – Mr. Harmonics I). One needs to see the actual current harmonics in absolute terms (amperes), total RMS current and make reference to the corresponding cable / circuit breaker sizes, before deciding on the next course of action.

Voltage Dip 07/03/2020 1900hrs

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March 7, 2020

11:00 pm

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Voltage Dip

Earlier this evening, there was a Transmission-level fault that occurred at approximately 7pm. The following is a waveform captured at 22kV incomer (monitored at L-N), located in the city area.

Here, it suggests that there was a Single-phase fault (L2) and that it originated upstream at higher voltage levels. There were reports of voltage dips from other PQ monitors in other transmission blocks as well.

Update: Suspected fault originated from Genco facilities in the west.

Voltage Dip 7/3/2020 1900hrs
22kV L-L RMS Trend

Voltage Dip 11/01/2020 1007hrs

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January 11, 2020

11:45 am

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Voltage Dip

Earlier this morning, there was a Transmission-level fault that occurred at approximately 10:07AM. PQ monitors in the city-area captured the following waveforms at the 22kV incomer and at the 400V LT incomer side.

Here, the benefit of monitoring at L-N instead of L-L at 22kV is being showed clearly here. It is evident that there was a single-phase fault (L2) and that it originated upstream at higher voltage levels.

Note. A single-phase fault at 22kV will cause the other two phases to swell (not seen here).

There were reports of voltage dips in other transmission blocks from other PQ monitors. With this kind of magnitude observed here at 22kV, it is very likely that this fault originated in the same transmission block as well.

Update: 230kV cable damage along Keppel Road (South Region).

22kV Incomer – Monitored at L-N (South region)
LT Incomer – Monitored at L-N (South region)

When a 230kV fault occurs, a quarter of Singapore will feel the worst dip magnitude (the region where the fault occurs), with the other 3 regions observing shallow voltage dips. Below is an example (via a Dranetz HDPQ) in the North region of Singapore during this same incident.

LT Incomer – Monitored at L-N (North Region)

Voltage Dip 16 July 2019 4:44 PM

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July 19, 2019

11:51 am

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Voltage Dip

Earlier in the week, areas in Tampines, Loyang, Bedok, Pasir Ris will have experienced voltage dips. It was made known later that it was due to a 22kV cable fault in Tampines area.

Few sets of our portable PQ analyzers placed in Loyang was able to capture this event. It registered voltage dips (at low voltage) of about 20%, lasting around 60-80ms. Recorded data showed that it was a three-phase fault.

One may be curious, how could a fault in Tampines result in a voltage dip in places like in Loyang or Bedok?

Our local distribution grid is densely interconnected, resulting in a high-reliability electricity network. Total blackouts are rare. But interconnectivity brings about a small disadvantage. Any fault will be seen/felt (in the form of a voltage dip) by everyone who is connected. The seriousness of this dip will be dependent on the types of faults and the electrical distance between you and the fault point.

Here in our case, the fault was in Tampines area. Based on experience, for a voltage dip ~ 20% to be seen at another 22kV network, it will need to be a significant fault causing a voltage dip in the range of 80-90% in the fault area (Tampines). Loyang (where our PQ analyzers were) is connected to Tampines at 66kV level.

 

Missing Earth Loop Impedance On One Phase

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October 3, 2018

10:33 pm

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General Power Quality, Harmonics

Came across an interesting case recently, whereby the engineers taking care of a particular shopping mall had failed to obtain an earth loop impedance value on just one of the phases. Issue came to light as the electrical inspectors failed to obtain a complete earth loop results for the new tenants that are setting up shop in the mall.

Was called in to investigate if power quality is a factor here.

Background
– Similar “incomplete” earth loop values were obtained at the LV Main Switchboard. “OL” when measured between Phase L1 and Earth. Had used different sets of earth loop testers.
– Thorough checks were conducted on the distribution transformer, earth cables and the neutral-ground connection at the transformer.
–  Loads on this particular switchboard include the building’s chiller systems and some tenants’ loads.
– Was reported normal earth loop values could be obtained when the chiller system is not in operation.

Recall: Earth Loop Impedance Test
– One of the tests conducted for an Electrical Installation “Pass” Certificate.
– To ensure when a fault occurs in an electrical installation, sufficient current will flow to operate the fuse or circuit breaker protecting the faulty circuit within a pre-determined time.

Recall: Earth Loop Tester
– Operates by inducing a current from the Supply system, by introducing a calibrated load between the phase conductor and the protective earth.
– And then monitors the voltage difference.
– Comes in various forms (Multifunction tester vs. Dedicated tester); (3-wire types L+N+E vs 2-wire types L+E)

Earth Loop in a TNS

Findings
– Conducted separate earth loop tests at LV Main Switchboard and monitored the quality of supply.

earth loop tester and pq monitor

– Apart from one failed attempt via the multifunction tester, subsequent tests produced repeatable earth loop impedance values across all the 3 phases.
– “OL” when measured between Phase L1 and Earth, used “K-brand” earth loop tester(s).
– VTHD on “high side” but expected due to the a few nos of variable speed drives being used at the Chiller system.
– Phase L1 – noticed multiple zero crossings.

Conclusion
– The quality of the supply waveform on Phase L1 affected / influenced the operability of the other earth loop testers, resulting in giving “OL” readings. An interesting case!
– Newer earth loop testers do have a ‘harmonic component’ – to cater for (IEC 61557-3:2007).