Power Quality

Training Courses

Voltage fluctuations/flicker

LPQIVES is co-finaced by:

LPQIVES is a programme of:

LPQI is part of:

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 Module 3

Voltage fluctuations/flicker

1 INTRODUCTION
Voltage fluctuations are the specific type of electromagnetic disturbances as their main effect – the
phenomenon of light flicker – appears in the form of a negative direct influence on the human
organism. Light flicker is the subjective sensation of variations in the luminous flux, whose
luminance or spectral distribution fluctuates with time. Moreover, voltage fluctuations are the
reason of adverse effects of technical and economic nature.

1.1 General aims

The seminar describes the flicker phenomenon and discusses the sources of voltage fluctuations
and their effects. It presents methods for analysis, measurement and limitation of voltage
fluctuations in electric power networks. It describes the current state of standardization of the
phenomenon in the light of international and national rules, and particularly considers the problems
that are important for contracts closed between energy suppliers and consumers.

1.2 Target groups

This module’s target group are mainly:
− end-users of equipment
− designers
− installers or contractor of installations
− electric networks operators
− equipment sellers and services providers in the electricity sector.

2 SPECIFIC AIMS AND TOPICS

The pathway of learning consists of a 2 days course, subdivided in sections (with different
duration), with these contents and related aims.

1st day
Contents Introduction, Basic terms and definitions, Description of the disturbances, Sources of
voltage fluctuations
Effects of voltage fluctuations
Measuring methods and instrumentation
Aims Supplying knowledge concerning theoretical basics of disturbances, its sources, effects,
and methods of assessment by means of measuring
2nd day
Contents Standardisation of voltage fluctuations, flickermeter – emission and immunity tests,
customer connection requirements (responsibility of the supplier, and the customer),
measurement and assessment of voltage fluctuations
Aims Supplying knowledge concerning principles of measuring, contract formulation. Use of
the obtained knowledge to analysis and solving problems related to voltage fluctuation
(ASD, wind generation), and to practical measurements in laboratory.

Below there’s a detailed overview of the course contents.

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2.1 Pathway of learning flow chart

Time progression
(hours)

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3 COURSE DETAILED PROGRAM

First day:

60 mins Participants registration

5 mins Openning, informations, course introduction, course introduction

55 mins Section 1: Introduction

− Basic terms and definitions
− Description of the disturbances
− Sources of voltage fluctuations (arc furnaces, induction motors etc.)
− Effects of voltage fluctuations (influence on human organism, light sources,
other equipment)
Modality: Lesson and discussion

60 mins Mitigation of voltage fluctuations (general considerations, synchronous

compensator, static compensators - SVC)
Modality: Lesson and discussion

15 mins Coffee break

60 mins Section 2: Measuring methods and instrumentation (flickermeter, measured

flicker severity)
Modality: Lesson, computer laboratory and discussion

Second day:

45 mins Section 3: Standardisation of voltage fluctuations (general considerations,

compatibility levels, emission of voltage fluctuation, immunity levels, connection
of disturbing customers in MV and HV systems, voltage fluctuations in national
regulations
Modality: Lesson and discussion

45 mins Static compensators

Modality: Laboratory and discussion

15 mins Coffee break

60 mins Section 4: Flickermeter – emission and immunity tests

Modality: Laboratory and discussion

60 mins Customer connection requirements (responsibility of the supplier and the

customer)
− Case study 1 - ASD
− Case study 2 - wind generation
Modality: Lesson and discussion

15 mins Coffee break

60 mins Section 5: Measurement and assessment of voltage fluctuations

Modality: Laboratory and discussion

30 mins Final discussion and conclusions, End of the course, user satisfaction survey
(user’s questionnaire),
Confirmations of attendance

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4 GENERAL NOTES

− each day there will be two coffee breaks according to the seminar program;
− at the beginning of the course the lecturer will explain course aims and at the end he will verify
their fulfilment;
− the course will be divided in theoretical and practical sections;
− at the end of the lessons, a user satisfaction survey will help the lecturer in monitoring the course
quality.

5 TEACHING METHODS

Teaching methods are summarized in three main moments:

− knowledge transfer (Lesson)

topics exposure by the lecturer with the help of slides and presentation of practical cases;
− deepening/learning verification (Discussion)
general discussion stimulated by the lecturer (also during the lesson) to verify knowledge
transfer;
− practical training, laboratory activities; group work

During all the sections, the lecturer will always attend, with teaching and/or activity coordination
duty.

6 DIDACTIC MATERIAL

The didactic tools which will be used by the lecturers will be:
− Blackboard
− Video-projector
− Notebook
− Microphone

The lecture room will be suitable to allow the use of all the above listed didactic tools and to enable
group work for the attendants.

Each user will receive, during the registration, a folder containing:

− course program;
− lecture notes containing all or part of the lecture slides.

Some additional electronic tools will be available also in electronic format at: http://www.leonardo-
energy.org/drupal/ .

The folder will also include a user satisfaction questionnaire and a knowledge test (which will be
both filled and submitted at the end of the course).

7 EXISTING KNOWLEDGE REQUIREMENTS

The following (on the basic level) shall be prerequisite for the participant:

− electric circuits theory: AC circuits

− electric machines
− electric power engineering; power system

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− power electronics
− electric metrology.

8 ACQUIRED COURSE KNOWLEDGE

The knowledge acquired during the course should be sufficient for:

− identification of the distortion nature

− distortion source identification
− disturbance assessment by means of measuring
− evaluation of technical and economic effects of disturbance
− proposing remedial measures
− formulation of contract between the supplier and consumer of electric power on the basis of the
existing standards and regulations.

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