What does power quality analysis focus on in electrical systems?

Power quality analysis is primarily concerned with the characteristics of the electrical power supplied and used in a system, particularly how well the power maintains its desired form without disturbances. This includes an examination of various phenomena that can degrade the quality of power, such as harmonics, voltage sags, swells, transients, and frequency deviations.

Focusing on harmonics is essential because they are a significant component of power quality issues in modern electrical systems, especially with the increased use of non-linear loads, which can cause distortion in the voltage and current waveforms. High levels of harmonics can lead to increased heating in equipment, reduced efficiency, malfunctioning of protective devices, and interference with communication lines. Thus, harmonics serve as a key factor in determining power quality, making this choice the core emphasis of power quality analysis.

Understanding the role of harmonics is crucial for diagnosing potential problems and implementing corrective measures, thus ensuring reliable and efficient power delivery in electrical systems. This focus shifts the attention away from areas like energy efficiency, load balancing, or generator performance, which, while important, do not directly address the purity and integrity of the electrical power being analyzed.