On the 2nd of October 2023, I published an article with the heading “Phase Imbalance in Distribution Networks” in which I stated that “In a recent unrelated “survey”, I came across a 10-minute averaged voltage unbalance of 327% between Phase 2 and Phase 1”. I also asked the question: is Eskom aware what is happening […]
Author Archives: Bertie Bezuidenhout
Power Quality Consulting, Power Quality Monitoring
Compensating For Power Quality Issues Caused by Power Electronics Devices
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On September 24, 2023, I posed an article in which I explained how poorly maintained switchgear could lead to long-lasting power quality issues. In that article, which was based on an actual incident in Benoni, Gauteng, South Africa, I mentioned that the voltages of two of the three phases increased by more than 51% while […]
In the latest newsletter which would be published on November 14, 2023, I am making another attempt, this time, to catch the attention of accountants and financial officers explaining to them how unbalanced voltages, phase-shift variations, and harmonics disturbances would result in enormous economic losses. But first, I must go back to a previous blog […]
In the mid-1980s, I embarked on a mission to resolve persistent “power failure” complaints from the National Accelerator Centre (NAC) in Faure, Western Cape, now known as iThemba LABS—the largest accelerator facility in the Southern Hemisphere. Invited for private tours, I delved into their operations, even entering the high-stakes environment of the operating room. Witnessing […]
To mitigate the effects of Load-Shedding, many homeowners have decided to install PV Solar Energy systems. And, as I said before, they are more worried about how much it would cost than the quality of the products. If they can pay the lowest possible price for the entire installation, they are happy and do not […]
Practical imperfections which can result in unbalances are: A three-phase equipment such as induction motor with unbalance in its windings. If the reactance of three phases is not same, it will result in varying current flowing in three phases and give out system unbalance. With continuous operation, motor’s physical environment cause degradation of rotor and […]
In recent times, I have attended several seminars and that makes me wonder whether the entire process of Solar Energy Systems installation has anything to do with Electrical Engineering, or is it perhaps closer to something like tree cutting where there are so many claiming to be “experts” in that field. Almost daily, we receive […]