Power Quality investigations are frequently complex, difficult, tedious and error prone. When sitting down to analyze a long duration power quality recording as part of a critical investigation, the vast…
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Merlin™: AI-Assisted Power Quality Analysis In PQ Canvass
Merlin™ is an AI-assisted analysis suite built for PQ Canvass. Instead of manually stepping through dozens of waveforms and days of trend data, Merlin™ reviews an entire recording and presents…
Voltage Unbalance and Polyphase Induction Motors
While three-phase AC squirrel-cage motors have been around and reliable since 1889, courtesy of Mikhail Dolivo-Dobrovolsky, one issue that has plagued their operation and lifespan throughout the years has been…
Meet Merlin™: How AI is Transforming PQ Analysis
As grid and load complexity increases and distributed generation proliferates, utilities face a torrent of sensor data that outpaces human capacity to interpret it. This paper introduces Merlin™, an analyst-grade…
Visualizing Loose Neutrals with RMS Capture Graphs
Loose neutrals represent one of the most hazardous and subtle single-phase service issues encountered by utility power quality (PQ) engineers. The condition arises when the neutral conductor connecting the center…
Introduction to Temporary Overvoltage
Temporary overvoltage is a common, but often overlooked stress condition on modern electric distribution systems. Although it receives less attention than lightning and fast transients, it can damage equipment, overheat…
Analysis of Capacitor Bank Operation in Waveform Files
Electric utilities use capacitor banks to control power factor and regulate voltage on distribution systems. This paper describes a three-part method to recognize capacitor bank switch events within a power…
Voltage Regulation: Standards-based Compliance
Voltage regulation—the ability to maintain steady‑state RMS voltage within acceptable bounds—affects equipment performance, protection, and customer experience. Distributed energy resources (DER) add complexity via bidirectional power flow and daytime voltage…
Voltage Unbalance Within PQ Canvass Compliance Reports
Power Monitors, Inc.'s PQ Canvass is a secure, cloud-based platform built for power-quality (PQ) analysis. PQ Canvass has a beta feature of automated "compliance reports" that transform data uploaded from…
Voltage Sag Analysis: Standards, Testing, and Compliance
Voltage sags, short-duration reductions in supply voltage, pose significant challenges to electrical and electronic equipment, leading to malfunctions, shutdowns, and substantial economic losses across industries. IEEE Std 1668-2017 and SEMI…
Voltage Tug-of-War The Silent VFD Killer
The modern variable-speed drive (VFD) is a sophisticated power electronic system, yet the front end is still a deceptively simple six-pulse diode bridge. That simplicity means the rectifier has little…
High Impedance Faults: Causes, Risks, Detection Techniques
High impedance faults can be a troublesome power quality issue affecting not only utilities, but their customers too. Frequently, these faults can trip arc fault breakers and GFCI outlets and…
