Operational experience with a nationwide power quality and reliability monitoring system

An end-to-end web-based electric power quality and reliability monitoring system has been operating since mid-2002. Today, more than 700 monitor nodes are placed in 46 states across the nation and more than 90000 PQ events have been captured. Exceptionally low cost monitors are key to affording broad deployment by corporations, utilities, and single customers. Large industrial users benefit from the event notification, data reporting and statistical summary capabilities to understand the impact of power quality on their operations at multiple facilities and to specify optimal solutions to mitigate these problems. Case studies from the first year of system operation are discussed, which demonstrate the potential for realizing a nationwide power quality and reliability monitoring system.