Final Exam – ANSWER SCHEMES

Q1. Voltage Sags & Interruptions

a) As a result of your investigation during an equipment tripping incident at your
customer’s facility, you have found that voltage sag caused by motor start -up operation is the
cause of the tripping event. Analyze THREE (3) methods you can propose to reduce the voltage
sag that caused by motor starting operation. (9m)

ANSWER:
1. Keep large motors on a separate supply from the sensitive loads. Following this advice
usually prevents problems with other equipment. The PCC will be at the distribution
voltage level, where the voltage sag is less severe than at the motor terminals.
2. Use resistance and reactance starters. These initially insert an impedance in series with
the motor. After a time delay, the starter bypasses this impedance. Starting resistors may
be bypassed in several steps while starting reactors are bypassed in a single step. This
approach requires the motor be able to develop sufficient torque with the added impedance.
3. Use delta-wye starters. These connect the stator in wye for starting, then after a time
delay, reconnect the windings in delta. The wye connection reduces the starting voltage to
57% of the system line-line voltage, which causes the starting torque to fall to 33% of its
full start value. The reduced voltage during the initial stage of the starting reduces the
inrush current and the resulting voltage sag.
4. Use shunt capacitor starters. These devices work by switching in, along with the motor,
a large shunt capacitor bank that supplies a large portion of the motor VAR requirements
during the start process. The capacitor bank then automatically disconnects once the motor
is up to speed (usually based on overvoltage relay).
5. Use series capacitors on distribution circuits supplying large motors. This will reduce
the effective impedance seen by the motor during starting as well as the resulting voltage
sag on the motor side of the series capacitor. However, the source side of th e series
capacitor may still experience a more severe voltage sag.
Any 3x (1m point+ 2m explanation EACH)
b) Uninterruptible Power Supply, UPS system is one of the backup systems for the voltage
sags and interruptions problems. As an engineer, you have to plan a solution proposal to your
customer.
i. With the aid of diagram, sketch and briefly explain the behavior of the THREE
(3) configurations of the UPS system. (9m)

ANSWER:

(Diagram 2m + Any 1 explanation 1m)

(Diagram 2m + Any 1 explanation 1m)

 (Diagram 2m + Any 1 explanation 1m)

ii. With the aid of diagram, propose a better device that has several advantages over
battery-based UPS systems. Defend your answer. (7m)
ANSWER:
Superconducting Magnetic Energy Storage (SMES) Devices (1m)

(3m)
Defend:

SMES-based systems have a much smaller footprint than

batteries for the same energy storage and power delivery
capability.13

The stored energy can be delivered to the protected system

more quickly.

The SMES system has virtually unlimited discharge and charge

duty cycles. The discharge and recharge cycles can be
performed thousands of times without any degradation to the
superconducting magnet.

(3m)
Q2. Transient Switching Overvoltage
a) Figures 2(a) and (b) show the captured signals during power quality monitoring
measurement.
[Rajah-rajah 2(a) dan (b) menunjukkan isyarat-isyarat yang ditangkap semasa pengukuran pemantauan kualiti
kuasa.]

(a) (b)
Figure 2

i. As an engineer, analyze the waveform of the power quality problems in Figures

2(a) and (b) in term of their general characteristics, causes and effects. (8m)

ANSWER:
Figures Characteristics Causes/Sources Effects

Figure • Sudden increase/

2(a) decrease in Current OR
Voltage.
• Voltage/ Current raises
to its peak value in 1.2
micro- seconds.
• Then, decays to ½ its
value in 50 micro- • Lightning strikes. • Destroy equipment
seconds. • Switching of such as computer,
Any 2 (2m) equipment/load. chips, TV etc.
Figure • Sudden increase/ • Power line switching on the • Damage sensitive
2(b) decrease in Current OR utility’s power systems. load.
Voltage. Any 2 (2m) Any 2 (2m)
• Do not decay quickly.
• Tend to continue to
oscillate for 0.5 to 3
cycles & reach 2 times
(2x) the nominal
Voltage OR Current.
Any 2 (2m)
 ii. From your analysis in (a), conclude the types of power quality problem and
propose ONE (1) solution device to reduce the problem. Explain briefly the
operation of the proposed device with the help of diagram.
[Daripada analisis anda dalam a), simpulkan jenis-jenis masalah kualiti kuasa dan cadangkan
SATU (1) peranti penyelesaian untuk mengurangkan masalah tersebut. Terangkan secara ringkas
pengendalian peranti yang dicadangkan dengan bantuan gambar rajah.]
(6 Marks / Markah )
ANSWER:
Figure 2(a);
Type: Impulsive Transient. (1m)

Figure 2(b);
Type: Oscillatory Transient. (1m)

Solution devices for Transient: (any 1 types) (Device 1m + Explain 1m + Diagram 2m)

➢ Surge Arresters and Transient Voltage Surge Suppressors

- limiting the maximum voltage, and the terms are sometimes used interchangeably.

➢ Isolation Transformers
- used to attenuate high-frequency noise and transients as they attempt to pass from
one side to the other.
 ➢ Utility Surge Arresters
- limiting the maximum voltage, and the terms are sometimes used interchangeably.
- have more energy-handling capability

➢ Low-Pass Filters
➢ Low-Impedance Power Conditioners

b) Computer that connected to a telephone system via a modem can fail when subjected
to a lightning surge voltage. As an engineer, create an initial plan to protect sensitive
load based on the principles of overvoltage protection with the aid of the diagram.
[Komputer yang disambungkan ke sistem telefon melalui modem boleh mengalami kegagalan apabila
terkena kepada voltan lonjakan kilat. Sebagai seorang jurutera, cipta pelan awal untuk melindungi
beban sensitif berdasarkan prinsip perlindungan voltan lampau dengan bantuan gambar rajah.]
(11 Marks / Markah )

ANSWER:
1. Limit the voltage across sensitive insulation.
2. Divert the surge current away from the load.
3. Block the surge current from entering the load.
4. Bond grounds together at the equipment.
5. Reduce, or prevent, surge current from flowing between grounds.
6. Create a low-pass filter using limiting and blocking principles. (6m)
(5m)
Question 3 (a)

Switching mode = 0.5 kW = 500 W

Current limit calculation:

3 rd = 500 x 3.4 m =1.70 A

5 th = 500 x 1.9 m = 0.95 A
7 th = 500 x 1.0 m = 0.50 A
9 th = 500 x 0.5 m = 0.25 A
11 th = 500 x 0.35 m = 0.175 A
13 th = 500 x 3.85 m / 13 = 0.148 A
15 th = 500 x 3.85 m / 15 = 0.128 A

Harmonic mA Maximum permissible Actual Harmonic current (A)

order per W Harmonic current (A)
3 3.4 1.70 1.85
5 1.9 0.95 0.85
7 1.0 0.50 0.45
9 0.5 0.25 0.30
11 0.35 0.175 0.15
13 3.85/13 0.148 0.13
15 3.85/15 0.128 0.11

Comparing to result obtained from the prototype, 3rd and 9th harmonic have exceeded the actual
current result that should be obtained by the prototype (refer to calculation), so these two
harmonics must be reduced to the current limit.

Question 3(b)

√0.3082 + 0.1592 + 0.0902 + 0.04872 + 0.02532 + 0.01642 + 0.012

𝑇𝐻𝐷 =
3.08

0.362
𝑇𝐻𝐷 = 𝑥100%
3.08
THD = 11.78%
Question 3(c)

Shunt Passive Filter (Notch Filter)

A shunt filter is necessary to block the harmonic current to correct the power factor of the
load and properly filter the harmonics of the load.

Series Passive Filter

Series filters are used to block a single harmonic current (such as the third
harmonic) and are especially useful in a single-phase circuit.

Low-pass Broadband Filter

low-pass filter is typically designed to achieve a low cutoff frequency, it is
then called a low-pass broadband filter.
Question 4(a)

f = 50 Hz
3 rd = 50 Hz x 3 = 150 Hz
5 th = 50 Hz x 5 = 250 Hz
7 th = 50 Hz x 7 = 350 Hz
9 th = 50 Hz x 9 = 450 Hz

C = 50 µF
1
𝐿3𝑟𝑑 = √ = 68.9𝜇𝐹
2𝜋(150)√50𝜇
1
𝐿5𝑡ℎ = √ = 53.4𝜇𝐹
2𝜋(250)√50𝜇
1
𝐿7𝑡ℎ = √ = 45𝜇𝐹
2𝜋(350)√50𝜇
1
𝐿9𝑡ℎ = √ = 39.8𝜇𝐹
2𝜋(450)√50𝜇

Question 4(b)(i)

Reactive power demand for 0.85 pf lagging:

1500 kVA x sin (cos -1 0.85) = 790.174 kvar

Reactive power demand for 96% pf:

1500 kVA x sin (cos -1 0.96) = 420 kvar

Required compensation from filter:

790.174 kvar – 420 kvar = 370.174 kvar

For nominal 450 V system, the net wye-equivalent filter reactance (capacitive), X F:
𝑉2 4502
𝑋𝐹 = = = 0.547Ω
𝑘𝑣𝑎𝑟 370.174
XF is the different between the capacitive reactance and the inductive reactance at
fundamental frequency:
XF = XC – XL

For tuning at the 4.7 th harmonic:

XC = h 2 XL

Thus, the desired capacitive reactance can be determined by:

𝑋𝐹 × ℎ2
𝑋𝐶 = = 0.573Ω
ℎ2 − 1

To achieve this reactance at 450 V rating, the capacitor would have to be rated:
𝑉2 4502
𝑘𝑣𝑎𝑟 = = = 353.4 𝑘𝑣𝑎𝑟
𝑋𝐶 0.573

For now, the filter will be designed using 450 V capacitor rated 400 kvar, which is
commonly available size near the desired value.

Question 4(b)(ii)

The desired capacitive reactance at 400 kvar rated capacitor bank:

𝑉2 (450 𝑉)2
𝑋𝐶 = = = 0.506 Ω
𝑘𝑣𝑎𝑟 400 𝑘

The filter reactor size is then selected to tune the capacitor to the desired frequency 50 Hz:
𝑋𝐶 0.506
𝑋𝐿 = = = 0.023 Ω
ℎ2 4.72
𝑋𝐿 0.023
𝐿= = = 73.211 𝜇𝐻
2𝜋𝑓 2𝜋 (50)