IEEE

FUNDAMENTALS Std 1100-2005

Table 4-2—Matching sensitive load and power source requirementsa

Typical immunity of electronic loads

Voltage parameter Typical range of
affecting loads power sources Units affected and
Normal Critical
comments

Over and +6%, 13.3% +10%, 15% ±5% Power supplies,

undervoltage capacitors, motors.
Component overheating
and data upset.

Swells/sags +10%, 15% +20%, 30% ±5% Power supplies,

capacitors, motors.
Component overheating
and data upset.

Transients, Varies: Varies: Varies: Dielectric breakdown,

impulsive and 100-6000 V 500-1500 V 200-500 V voltage overstress.
oscillatory, power Component failure and
lines data upset.

Transients, Varies: Varies: Varies: Dielectric breakdown,

impulsive and 100-6000 V 50-300 V 15-50 V voltage overstress.
oscillatory, signal Component failure and
lines data upset.
ESD <45 kV Varies widely: Varies widely: Signal circuits. Dielectric
1000-1500 V 200 500 V 15-50 V break down, voltage
overstress. Component
failure and data upset.
Rapid changes in signal
reference voltage.

RFI/EMI 10 V up to 200 kHz Varies widely: Varies widely: Signal circuits. Data
(conducted) (normal less at higher 3 V typical 0.3 V typical upset, rapid changes in
and common-mode) frequency signal reference voltage.

RFI/EMI (radiated) <50 kV/m, <200 Varies widely Varies widely Signal circuits. Data
kHz <1.5 kV/m, with shielding with shielding upset, rapid changes in
>200 kHz signal reference voltage.

Voltage distortion 5-50% THD 5-10% 3-5% Voltage regulators, signal

(from sine wave) circuits, capacitor filters,
capacitor banks.
Overheating,
undercharging.

Phase imbalance 2-10% 5% max 3% max Polyphase rectifiers,

motors. Overheating.

Copyright © 2006 IEEE. All rights reserved. 57

IEEE
Std 1100-2005 CHAPTER 4

Table 4-2—Matching sensitive load and power source requirementsa (continued)

Typical susceptibility of power sources

Current parameter Typical range of
affecting sources load current Units affected and
Normal Critical
comments

Power factor 0.85-0.6 lagging 0.8 lagging <0.6 lagging or Power source derating or
<0.9 lagging greater capacity source
with reduced over all
efficiency.
Crest factor 1.4-2.5 1.0-2.5 >2.5 1.414 normal; impact
function of impedances at
3rd and higher harmonics
(36% Z). Voltage shape
distortion.
Current distortion 0-10% total rms 5-10% total 5% max total 3% Regulators, power
0-5% largest largest circuits. Overheating.

DC current Negligible to 5% <1% As low as 0.5% Half-wave rectifier loads

or more can saturate some power
sources, trip circuit
breakers.

Ground current 0-10 A rms + noise >0.5 A <0.1 A Can trip GFI devices,
and surge currents violate code, cause rapid
signal reference voltage
changes.

Typical immunity of electronic loads

Frequency
Typical range of
parameter
power sources Units affected and
affecting loads Normal Critical
comments

Line frequency ±1% ±1% ±0.5% Zero-crossing counters.

Rate of frequency 1.5 Hz/s 1.5 Hz/s 0.3 Hz/s Phase synchronization
change circuits.
aAdapted with permission from FIPS Pub 94.

4.3.1 Voltage disturbance sources/characteristics

As discussed in Chapter 3 and in 4.2, voltage sags on the utility system are one of the most common power
disturbances causing nuisance tripping and shutdown of electronically controlled processes. Nearly all of
these sags are very short in duration (5 to 30 cycles) and are the result of faults on the utilities’ power
distribution circuits. The duration of the sag is determined by the time it takes to clear the fault, which is
usually accomplished by tripping a circuit breaker.

In IEEE terminology, voltage sags are characterized by their remaining voltage, i.e., a 70% sag on a 120 V
circuit would have 84 V remaining. In Europe, the IEC terminology is voltage dip, which is just the
opposite, i.e., a 70% dip means the voltage went down 70% to 36 V. (See Figure 4-2.)

Faults also occur inside facilities, which in turn cause voltage sags. However, they occur much less
frequently than on the utility distribution system, since very few facilities have to deal with tree branches
blowing into the power lines, cars running into the power poles, etc., which are very common problems for
the utility’s distribution system.

58 Copyright © 2006 IEEE. All rights reserved.