Feature

Testing for power quality in an industrial environment

Power quality is becoming increasingly important in achieving greater productivity and efficiency. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the industrial sector.

05/11/2018 14:10:17

Font size:

With ‘Industry 4.0’ driving change, this article looks at how the industrial environment is changing and how the role of power quality has become important.

Revolution
and evolution

It’s said that we are now in the ‘fourth industrial revolution’ or ‘Industry 4.0’. ‘Industry 4.0’ can’t simply be ‘switched on’ though, it needs planned
implementation. Some studies have identified IT security as the main issue, followed by concerns about reliability of production and computing hardware. However, even the best hardware
is still at the mercy of the factory power supply. Power line quality doesn’t just affect connected equipment; radiated emissions can interfere with other devices and degrade
wireless communication between equipment. It’s vital therefore to test and characterise power quality so that problems can be anticipated and mitigated.

Read the full article in the November issue of DPA

Written By Sophia Bell

Sophia Bell is the Group Editor of DPA, Connectivity, and PBSI. She joined the team in 2020 as Assistant Editor after achieving a First-Class Honours BA in English Literature and Film Studies from the University of East Anglia. In her current role, she leads the editorial strategy, driving digital growth and ensuring each title continues to deliver trusted, relevant insight for engineering and manufacturing professionals.