Development of a System for Monitoring the Parameters Determining the Quality of Electric Power and Power Consumption within Consumer Premises
Keywords:
Power Quality, Power Factor, Apparent Power, True Power, Reactive Power, Power ConsumptionAbstract
Many researchers have studied power quality measurements and monitoring. Power quality has always been important as it is equated to reliability - undisturbed operation or functionality of electrical systems in customer facilities. This study reports on the development of a system for measuring and monitoring the parameters characterizing the quality of electrical power used in facilities within consumer premises. The determining of quality parameters such normal voltage operating range, current, power factor, apparent power, reactive power and the real power. Also the study includes the computation of total power and power consumption at specific date and time. The raw data of these parameters are process and log in real time. It can be access remotely via the internet or mobile application through SMS. The system employed the developed software for remote accessing and data base using Visual Basic programming and MySQL. Testing revealed the developed system to be reliable and appropriate for operation related to monitoring electrical power in the customer premises. Monitoring of the power used in customer facility can be a possible ground in initiating correcting measures in order to minimize power consumption. The study can be further improved by including parameters such as waveform distortion, frequency and voltage flickers to comply with all the specifications demanded for such systems by national norms and regulations.