Power quality of rural distribution system

The authors present the results of a detailed power supply quality survey of 23 small rural industries sponsored by the Canadian Electrical Association. They summarize the major power quality problems experienced at the various rural sites. The results of the survey will provide a knowledge base on rural power quality and the possible origins of power supply anomalies which are necessary for mitigating actions by the electric utilities and their rural customers. One of the major problems identified during the power quality site surveys was poor voltage regulation of the distribution feeders. The high steady-state voltage levels at some sites significantly reduced the life expectancy of incandescent lamps. The poor voltage regulation, resulting in high RMs voltage levels, usually occurred during the early parts of the morning when the utility´s transmission and distribution systems were lightly loaded