It
is now a little over a hundred years since electricity was delivered to the
general public and the vast networks of single-wire earth-return (SWER)
distribution lines required to reach each customer were implemented with largely
bare (uninsulated) overhead conductors.
While air is an ideal insulating medium, trees, animals, high winds, failure of power line components, moisture and dust, traffic accidents and fallen power poles can easily breach it. Lightning and other induced power anomalies can also be very destructive and affect sensitive electronic equipment.
The majority of power quality problems actually originate within the customers own electrical installation and the majority of these relate to the provision of a poor or intermittent earth, imbalance between the phases and harmonic current distortion from operating equipment. The four potentially most destructive disturbances arising from the external supply are Transients, Over voltages and Momentary Interruptions. In Victoria, the Electricity Distribution Code outlines the standards for the quality and reliability of this supply as well as providing information to customers on complaints handling, and other matters.
Electricity Distribution Code: http://www.reggen.vic.gov.au/PDF/2002/DistributionCodeJan02.pdf
Electronic Damage Reports provides a consulting service to the Power Distribution Companies with regard to damaged electronic equipment. We report on the cause, nature and extent of damage and the cost of repairs vs. the market value. We do not repair or service any of the equipment.
