Distribution network operators and the energy intensive industry have been investing in the automation of their medium voltage (MV) networks for decades. Low voltage (LV) networks have remained underinvested, with little or no monitoring.

However, with a necessity to reduce carbon footprints, it is important to understand LV networks that now serve the added function of connecting distributed generation and electrical vehicles to the grid.

Measuring power quality in LV networks makes it possible to address any quality issues. Improved power quality, in turn, reduces the losses and thereby enhances the effective capacity in the networks. Building more network capacity can be avoided while, at the same time, the carbon footprint will be reduced.

Options for data collection

Netcontrol’s Netcon 100 smart substation controller, equipped with the LVM111 card, can monitor the LV busbar of the transformer, providing comprehensive voltage, current, power and energy measurements. These include voltages sags, swells and interruptions, as well as transformer temperature.

The LVM111 card also has a disturbance recorder, and records can be automatically sent to the PQA system in the standard Comtrade file format.