Three-phase power systems depend not only on equal voltages between phases but also on the order in which those phases reach their peaks — a property called phase rotation. Incorrect…
White Papers
Browse our library of power quality technical resources.
446 white papers
COMTRADE in PQ Canvass
The Common Format for Transient Data Exchange (COMTRADE) defined by IEEE C37.111 and IEC 60255-24 is a file format most commonly produced by protective relays and digital fault recorders, though…
Analyzing Motor Startups with the Bolt
Induction motors are ever popular in today’s world and can be found in most areas of life — industrial, agricultural, and even residential settings. These motors can have high inrush…
Understanding Voltage Stability vs. Voltage Regulation
Voltage stability and voltage regulation are commonly confused concepts, particularly in the context of customer voltage complaints and power quality investigations. These two phenomena differ significantly in both cause and…
Introduction to Ferroresonance
Ferroresonance is a nonlinear electrical phenomenon that can damage transformers, surge arresters, cable insulation, and switchgear — and create dangerous backfeed voltages on conductors that should be de-energized. Although relatively…
Grid Readiness for Data Centers
Global cumulative investment in data centers between 2026 and 2030 is projected to reach $3 trillion. This explosive growth is straining electric grids worldwide. This white paper summarizes the IEEE…
Recognizing Transformer Energization in Power Quality Data
Transformer energization events occur frequently in electrical distribution systems and often appear in power quality recordings. These events can produce large transient currents and waveform distortions that may initially resemble…
Power Theory in Multiphase Distorted Systems
Introduction “Geometric Foundations of Power Theory for Multiphase AC systems in the Frequency Domain” is a great research article written by Francisco Montoya and others and it clearly explains a…
PQ Canvass API Access
Introduction Electric utilities rely on power quality monitoring to maintain grid reliability, meet regulatory requirements, and respond to disturbances across their distribution networks. As monitoring deployments grow — spanning substations,…
Datacenter Power IV
High-speed protective devices in modern datacenters, such as low-voltage circuit breakers with electronic trip units (ETUs) offering instantaneous or short-time protection, are documented to operate in cases where standard Power…
Power Quality for the Non-PQ Professional
This paper provides a plain-language overview of power quality — what it is, why it matters, and what can be done to maintain it. It is written for professionals outside…
Even vs. Odd Harmonics
Engineered Asymmetry Audiophiles routinely spend thousands of dollars on vintage vacuum tube amplifiers to deliberately inject their music with what power engineers spend millions trying to eliminate: harmonic distortion. Vacuum…