Electrical Transient Analysis Service

Electrical transients in power systems can occur from a variety of sources and have a negative impact on the equipment and reliability of the power system. It is best to be aware of potential sources in your facility and to take precautions against them.

Electrical transients are sudden and short-lived surges of energy induced in power or data and communication lines in a utility or any facility. They have extremely high voltages that drive large amounts of current in an electrical circuit for periods ranging from less than a microsecond to several milliseconds. As a result, the system transitions from a stable to a momentarily disturbed state and back again. The steady-state condition refers to the stable state that exists after the transient has passed.

Most electrical transients are not of great magnitude, but their impact on the performance of circuits and interrupting or protective devices is critical. Transients in power systems take the path of least resistance to ground and can cause circuit components and semiconductor devices to overheat, resulting in malfunction and failure. Furthermore, a significant number of these electrical transients are large enough to cause the insulation of the power system’s equipment to fail.

During a transient, the adverse conditions can be extremely damaging to power system protection equipment and switchgear. Their impact on devices varies according to the device and its location on the power system. As a result, power system engineers constantly devise methods and means to limit the magnitude of transients produced and control their effects on operating equipment.