Voltage Stability: How to avoid Failure
Sudden production outages, unexplained machine malfunctions, or frequent defects – all of these can result from an unstable power supply. The cause often remains undetected until the effects become clearly noticeable. But what if you could identify and prevent these issues early on? In an era where renewable energy sources, digital control systems, and power electronics are making our grids increasingly complex, maintaining stable voltage quality is becoming a significant challenge. Learn how KBR’s Power Quality Maintenance Service (PQMS) helps you prevent disruptions, reduce costs, and always stay in control.
Dear Readers,
The increasing integration of renewable energy sources like wind and solar power leads to greater fluctuations in power generation, as these sources depend on weather conditions and are less predictable. This makes the grid more unstable and requires it to be more flexible in responding to changes, significantly increasing the demands on voltage quality and grid management. Additionally, the number of power electronic devices in low-voltage networks is rising, impacting other devices in the grid. At the same time, modern machinery and sensitive electronic devices require a stable voltage quality. This makes grid quality a growing challenge—not only for major grid operators but also for smaller businesses that rely on a dependable power supply.
How can you prevent defects and disruptions? This is where KBR’s Power Quality Maintenance Service (PQMD) comes in. With state-of-the-art and standards-compliant measurement technology and automated reporting, you will always know whether your network is functioning correctly and can proactively address issues. This means fewer outages, predictable costs, and greater operational security—allowing you to focus on your core tasks.
The Foundation of Your Operational Security: Power Quality
Power quality refers to the quality of electrical voltage supply. If you notice irregular machine operation, unexpected outages, unusually high wear and tear, overheating of equipment, or flickering lights, voltage quality is often the culprit. These issues can manifest as voltage fluctuations, overvoltage, harmonics, or flicker. Such disturbances are not always immediately apparent—until they cause malfunctions or even damage, particularly to sensitive equipment. These disturbances can disrupt production systems, cause IT failures, or lead to high costs. In industrial operations, poor power quality can result in substantial financial losses.
Continuous power grid analysis can help identify these disturbances early on. Automated data collection and analysis make voltage irregularities immediately visible. This precise monitoring allows for real-time assessment of grid conditions and minimizes potential risks in advance.
Compliance with Standards to Ensure Grid Quality
Companies must also adhere to international standards to ensure power quality:
The EN 50160 standard defines voltage quality requirements in public grids and specifies permissible voltage fluctuations and harmonics.
The standards IEC 61000-2-2 and IEC 61000-2-4 complement EN 50160 to ensure interference-free operation in customer-owned low-voltage networks.
Regular measurements and analyses in accordance with these standards ensure legal and reliable operation of your systems. Additionally, grid operators define threshold values in their technical connection conditions, which must be met by consumers. If these values are exceeded, grid operators may charge additional fees or, in extreme cases, disconnect the supply.
Proactive Monitoring for Maximum Security
With the Power Quality Maintenance Service, KBR offers a solution to address these challenges. The service continuously monitors and analyzes your voltage supply, providing weekly reports. In case of critical events, it sends immediate alerts. Our solutions are tailored to your needs and grow with your business.
By using cutting-edge measurement technology, all relevant parameters are recorded and evaluated in real time—completely automatically. If voltage fluctuations or overvoltage occur, you receive instant email notifications, allowing you to react immediately. This not only ensures compliance with the DIN EN 50160 standard but also protects your equipment from potential damage caused by grid disturbances.
Regular automated reports provide a clear overview of your grid’s status, so you do not need to be a power quality expert. This way, you can confidently determine whether your grid is in good shape or requires action.
Expert Support for Efficient Problem Resolution
Our power quality experts are happy to visit you in person. They assist with setting up measurement devices and, if desired, conduct individual measurements without interrupting your power supply.
In the event of disruptions, you benefit from our experts’ knowledge. With already available measurement data, our specialists can identify the root cause and provide targeted recommendations—saving you valuable time and reducing effort by avoiding the need for additional measurements. Fast data analysis minimizes downtime and ensures rapid operational recovery.
Transparent Reporting for Independent Assessment
The weekly power quality report according to DIN EN 50160 keeps you constantly informed about your grid quality. Event logs and recorded voltage disturbances help you understand problems immediately. We also store your measurement data for at least 12 months. Additional useful services are available depending on your selected package.
Our automated reports are designed to help you quickly and clearly assess your grid’s voltage quality. The comprehensible presentation simplifies the complex topic of power quality, enabling you to identify weaknesses early and take proactive measures. This not only enhances operational security but also strengthens your reputation among superiors and colleagues through forward-thinking action.
Long-Term Cost Savings Through Preventive Measures
One of the main advantages of PQMS is the prevention of unforeseen costs. Continuous monitoring and early identification of grid problems allow you to act proactively and prevent damage to machines and equipment. This reduces the risk of production downtime and costly repairs. Ongoing voltage quality monitoring also enables budget planning, as investments can be anticipated.
You determine the scope of the PQ Maintenance Service according to your needs. We offer three tailored packages—from a cost-efficient basic solution with informative reports to a comprehensive premium package with phone support, regular trend analysis, and an extended frequency range up to 20 kHz. Together, we will find the optimal package for your business.
Trust in Our Expertise
Analyzing and assessing power quality requires specialized expertise. As a leading provider in power quality solutions, we have decades of experience in all areas of corporate energy management. You have access to a full team of network experts through our own Power Quality department. Our PQ specialists are highly knowledgeable in measurement technology and certified according to VDE standards. They help you detect and resolve even the smallest fluctuations in your power grid in a timely manner.
With KBR EnergyManagement GmbH’s Power Quality Maintenance Service, you invest in the reliability of your equipment and the satisfaction of your customers.
Take advantage of our PQMS service today and protect yourself from unexpected grid problems. We are happy to provide personal consultation on all topics related to power quality in your business. For more information, we invite you to join our webinars. We look forward to seeing you!
Yours, Jonas Klaus
Technical Editor
KBR GmbH
