Energy Services
Power Quality
Power quality refers to the consistency of the electric voltage. Voltage outside the proper range can damage electrical equipment.
In years past, power was used to operate only motors and lights. Today, homes and businesses are filled with computers, televisions, stereos, appliances and other equipment containing microchips. These devices are extremely sensitive to the quality of power.
PROBLEMS WITH POWER QUALITY
Spikes and surges are sudden increases in voltage that last less than 1/60th of a second. They can be small or large -- up to thousands of times the normal voltage. Large spikes can burn or melt electronic components causing instant failure. Repeated 'hits' from smaller spikes gradually erode components and can shorten their useful life. Most spikes originate inside your home or business. Other electric equipment, such as refrigerators, copy machines, laser printers and large motors, can cause spikes when turned on and off.
A smaller percentage of spikes originate outside your building, caused by lightning strikes, short circuits in electric lines and large equipment used by factories. While these spikes are less frequent, they tend to be more serious. Lightning strikes to a telephone line, cable TV system or satellite dish also carry voltage spikes. Devices that are connected to more than one wire, such as cordless telephones, answering machines, computer modems and TVs are especially vulnerable.
SAGS are decreases in voltage that starve machine for the power they need to operate. This is the most common form of power quality problem. Sags usually last less than a second--voltage drops longer than one second are called brownouts. When power returns, spikes often occur as equipment in the system springs back into action.
INTERRUPTIONS are a total loss of power which may last less than a second or up to several hours. You may not notice a split second interruption, but your computer might restart or your digital clock may start flashing.
NOISE doesn't cause much damage, but it can be a nuisance. You see electrical noise as 'snow' on the TV screen or hear it as static on the radio. Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) and Radio Frequency Interference (RFI) are two sources of noise.
PROTECT YOUR EQUIPMENT
Proper grounding of the electrical system is essential. If your home or business doesn't have grounded, three-pronged outlets, the first step is to install them. It's best to put sensitive equipment on its own dedicated circuit.
Fuses and circuit breakers protect building circuits from overheating and causing fires. However, damaging spikes and surges occur so quickly that they pass through circuit breakers. To catch spikes and surges you need surge suppressors. Surge suppressors react within one billionth of a second (called a nanosecond) to divert the excess voltage to the building's electrical ground. Good surge suppressors also filter line noise.
PLUG-IN PROTECTION
Highly sensitive equipment needs the protection of plug-in surge suppressors. Surge suppressors are the simplest, least expensive and most effective way to prevent problems with electronic appliances.
Surge suppressors are installed between the appliance and the wall outlet. Their job is to reduce the size of voltage surges to a safe level.
Surge suppressors will not stop digital clocks from 'blinking' after a power interruption. Nor will they prevent loss of data from a computer system due to an interruption or sag. They DO protect the equipment.
UNINTERRUPTIBLE POWER SUPPLIES
Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS) provide a battery backup for computers. UPS devices insure power quality during sags and interruptions protecting both data and hardware. Most UPSs provide 10-15 minutes backup time, allowing you time to close files and exit programs. Most UPSs provide surge suppression as well. A UPS must be UL listed.
Tillamook PUD has a selection of surge suppressors and uninterruptible power supplies to meet our customers' needs. Visit with our Energy Services staff to determine which model is the one for you.
