RESEARCH

PROJECT
System Compatibility
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en Vol. 2, No. 2 EPRI Power Electronics Applications Center June 1995
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In This Issue
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R High-tech diviners probe the inner workings of computer systems to determine
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At your service: Utilities take advantage of the versatile Task 8.
Electric Power Research Institute Power Electronics Applications Center

first stage, Task 2, tested PC power

supplies and set the stage for more
advanced work. Task 13 will character-
ize PCs from the point of view of their
peripheral interface ports and determine
how a networked PC performs during
sags and surges caused by such things as
lightning, the operation of other equip-
ment, and inductive load switching. Plus,
the project will examine other common
causes of computer and network prob-
lems that are often misdiagnosed as
caused by power alone.
Although LANs provide enormous
flexibility in the workplace, their streams
of information may be particularly
vulnerable to electrical disturbances. To
understand the complex interaction
between power and communications
systems, were identifying upset and
failure mechanisms for the peripheral
Kermit Phipps, left, and Laboratory Manager Doug Dorr surge a network of personal interface ports of PCs, Keebler said.
computers, monitors, and printers. The PC II Project takes advantage of the upside- Computer lockups and corrupted data
down house test setup, which spans the rafters of the Power Quality Test Facility. files are among the most frustrating and
costly problems targeted for resolution.

PEAC engineers just say Often, finding the cause of these

problems is a process of elimination,
Keebler said. In some cases, incorrect
know to network troubles installation and long network cables can
cause problems. Sometimes, cables are
PEAC engineers recently began a project ing to Philip Keebler, a PEAC power installed too close to noisy electrical
to examine the effects of power distur- quality engineer, simply blaming equip- equipment or electronic ballasts, which
bances on the interface ports of personal ment malfunctions on power is an easy can cause computer system problems.
computers (PCs), peripherals such as out for computer operators and manufac- In the laboratory, engineers have
modems, and eventually local area turersthe problem is much more com- already created surges that repeatedly
networks (LANs). Although causes of plex, involving data ports, cabling, and upset computers and corrupt data. Even
computer problems vary, the end result grounding. Thats why utilities are spon- with transient voltage surge suppressors,
for utility customers is often the same soring the newest System Compatibility differences of reference voltage between
downtime. And these frustrated custom- Research Project, Task 13: Personal two pieces of computer equipment can
ers frequently blame power for their Computers II (System Interfaces). create harmful currents that flow through
computer problems. Our objective is to rule out red data cables and upset computer pro-
Sags and surges may indeed play herrings and discover what combinations cesses. According to Keebler, the test
havoc with PCs and LANs, causing key- of factors really cause data corruption results have been very revealing, giving
board lockup, destroying data, and even and other system problems, said engineers a head start on testing local
obliterating circuitry. However, accord- Keebler, who manages the project. The area networks in Stage 3.
 Task 8 enables utilities to
custom-fit research
By Gene Sitzlar complain about flicker, Have you
Research Coordinator recently installed a dimmer? This helps
us reduce the time we spend investigat-
Collaborative research has been a boon ing problems in the field.
in resolving general system compatibility
problems. But what about system com- The Crankshafts of Kentucky
patibility problems that are unique to an In Kentucky, a crankshaft manufac-
individual utility? Task 8, the most ver- turer once had the pleasure of having its
satile component of the System Compat- own dedicated substation. The harmonic
ibility Research Project, is garnering the currents generated by its numerous
attention of electric utilities by meeting induction heaters had no effect on other
unique research needs. Utilities that Kentucky Utilities (KU) customers, Kermit Phipps inspects a ballast circuit
sponsor a Task 8 project articulate although the manufacturer had to pay board during a Task 8 project sponsored by
research goals to PEAC engineers, who substantial power factor penalties. When the New York Power Authority.
then design a project to achieve those other facilities were built nearby, they
goals. The flexibility of Task 8 research were connected to the substation feeding problem in the field.
is designed to meet the needs of the the crankshaft manufacturer. Thats We feel that we are responsible to
sponsoring utility. As long as the work is when things became complicated for the address the concerns of our customers,
related to resolving system compatibility manufacturer and for KU Industrial said Bob Schwabe, a NYPA research
issues, it likely qualifies as a Task 8 Service Engineer Phil Roberts, PE. and development engineer. Task 8 is a
project. The following cases illustrate the Roberts was caught between custom- resource we have to address these
ways Task 8 has been used to benefit ers. On the one hand, the manufacturer concerns in a short period of time, which
electric utilities and their customers. was having a hard time finding a cost- is the tasks greatest advantage.
effective way to filter the harmonic
The Flicker of Puget Sound currents now flowing throughout the A lot of member utilities are still under
In the wake of new technologies, distribution system interconnecting the the mistaken impression that they can
electric utilities will often discover new new customers. On the other hand, the only use their EPRI Tailored Collabora-
system incompatibilities. When Consult- new customers were having trouble tion (TC) dollars for large research
ing Engineer John McClaine of Puget hearing people on the other end of the projects that require substantial utility
Sound Power and Light Company fielded telephone lines. The harmonic currents funding in order to obtain matching
customer complaints about flickering were interfering with communication funds from EPRI. Consequently, many
lights, he often found newly installed lines, and customers were demanding members often forfeit their EPRI TC
dimmers inside facilities. Most of the remedies. account balance at the end of the year.
flickering lamps customers complained The crankshaft manufacturer origi- However, TC dollars can be used in
about were connected to light dimmers, nally had a filter designed that wouldnt relatively small increments to sponsor
McClaine said. After talking to PEAC work, Roberts said. Using Task 8 customized Task 8 research.
engineers about his hunchthat dimmers enabled us to gather enough expertise to
were making incandescent lamps more get a smaller, cheaper filter that worked, Sponsored by EPRI and its member
susceptible to flicker-causing voltage saving the manufacturer $50,000 per year utilities, the System Compatibility
fluctuationshe decided to use Task 8 to in power factor penalties. Additionally, Research Project is a progressive
find out for sure. the filter eliminated the noise-causing research effort to improve compatibil-
We tested incandescent lamps with harmonics at other customer facilities. ity between the power system and
three different types of dimmers, said end-use equipment and devices. By
PEAC engineer Doni Nastasi. The The Ballasts of New York sponsoring a task of the project,
project not only gave John a way to As part of its demand side manage- utilities choose which equipment and
discover how dimmers affect flicker; it ment program, the New York Power devices will be characterized. Utilities
gave us a chance to try our custom- Authority (NYPA) installs high-effi- can finance their sponsorships
designed flicker software. Written by ciency lighting in government buildings through either a Tailored Collabora-
Nastasi, the innovative computer soft- throughout New York State. When tion Agreement or Cofunding Agree-
ware is the backbone of the flicker test NYPA customers have problems with ment with EPRI. All testing is con-
setup at the PEAC laboratory. The new lighting, NYPA is quick to respond. ducted at PEACs Power Quality Test
software proved to be accurate and much NYPA is currently using Task 8 to Facility or at other test facilities within
more automated than conventional investigate problems that their customers the Power Quality Testing Network.
flicker testing methods, Nastasi said. are having during the installation of
So how did Puget Sound benefit from lighting. Two ballast suppliers agreed to For more information, contact Steve
the custom research? We proved that participate in the investigation. NYPA Rector, EPRI-Knoxville, or Gene
light dimmers made the lamps a lot more needed answers, said project manager Sitzlar, SC Research Project Coordi-
sensitive to flicker, McClaine said. Kermit Phipps, and through Task 8 they nator, at 615-974-8288 or fax 615-
Now we can ask our customers who can conduct research specific to any 974-8289.
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