The problems posed by electrical power supply to industrial installations

Despite the fact that electrical power is a widespread and highly flexible product, perfection cannot always be guaranteed owing to disturbances caused either by random phenomena affecting the network (lightning, network equipment faults etc.) or by the operation of certain types of equipment (are furnaces, rolling mills, electronic power equipment etc.). After a brief summary of the origins and nature of the various disturbances to which electrical networks are prone, be they public or industrial, we will deal in more detail with the problem of voltage dips and short time interruptions, these being the most problematical disturbances for the industrial customer. The principal technical solutions for correct operation of industrial installations will be described. In particular, the possibility of private generation operating in parallel with the public network will be dealt with. The need for collaboration between the user (or engineering firm representing him) and manufacturer (or installer) of electrical equipment and the electrical power distributor is stressed.