In order to ensure adequate distribution of electrical load to new and existing tenants, the building management had requested contractor to confirm that the electrical system installed by them was not contributing to excessive harmonics distortion. The client engaged PowerQ to undertake the monitoring of the three main switchboards supplying power to an MNC office, to review electrical load profiles, carry out harmonics analysis, provide electrical data and necessary recommendations.
PowerQ undertook a power quality audit and monitored the Main Switchboard. The measurements were taken using Power Quality Monitor-PQ3000p and the following results were found:
The average voltage THD was (1.72%-2.1%) and average current THD was (39.63% to 45.98% to 33.3%). The average Power Factor was higher than 0.85 indicating an acceptable power factor.
Monitoring showed the average voltage, frequency and current within the operating limits and standard guidelines. It was established and noted that 20% to 50% average current THD indicated presence of current harmonics in the tenant loads which is typical for office loads with IT equipments. PowerQ had advised on measures to arrest harmonics.