POWER QUALITY CHALLENGES IN THE METAL INDUSTRY: AN IEEE AND IEC STANDARDS-BASED CASE STUDY

Abstract

The rapid evolution of the types of loads used in electric power systems has made the concept of power quality a critical area of study. The use of nonlinear loads, semiconductor-based devices, renewable energy sources, and power electronics-based converters in modern power systems has led to power quality issues—such as harmonic distortion, voltage fluctuations, sudden voltage changes, frequency deviations, and imbalances—taking on a more complex nature. In this context, power quality is of strategic importance not only for the reliable operation of electronic devices but also in terms of grid integrity, energy efficiency, and system reliability. In this study, harmonic measurement data collected at a metal industry facility housing various industrial load groups were comprehensively evaluated within the framework of IEEE and IEC power quality standards. Data obtained from eighteen different measurement points were analyzed in terms of total current harmonic distortion (ITHD), total voltage harmonic distortion (UTHD), power factor, and the distribution of individual harmonic components. The study provides a comprehensive reference for industrial power quality assessment by integrating a comparative analysis of the IEEE and IEC standards ecosystems with real-world field data.