
18
POWER PROBLEMS
AND THEIR ASSOCIATED CAUSES
All electrical and electronic equipment, connected to the mains supply is at risk of
being damaged from spikes, surges, lightning, brown-outs, power-cuts (blackouts),
power back surges, and over-voltage. The following is a summary of the main types of
power problems, causes and how these affect electrical and electronic equipment.
Spikes/Surge: Very short, (one millisecond) event of very high surge in voltage to
thousands of volts and amps. Spikes are common in all parts of the world and repeated
exposure to spikes will damage electronic equipment and corrupt data.
What causes it? Switching on/off of nearby equipment, lightning, motors starting etc.
RFI (Radio Frequency Interference)/Noise: High frequency disturbances that occur
within a short period of time (milliseconds). RFI & noise are very common in all parts of
the world and are the main cause of data corruption.
What causes it? Generated by high frequency noise from nearby equipment like
TV, radio equipment, transmitters, mobile phones, switching on/off of certain loads,
fluorescent lights, motor speed controls, light dimmers.
Over-Voltage: Long duration (milliseconds, seconds, minutes, hours or days) rise in
the voltage above acceptable limits. Depending on the level of the over-voltage, the
damage can be instantaneous, severe and irreparable.
What causes it? On return of mains supply after power cuts, under-sized utility
oscillating between periods of brown-outs and over-voltage or accidental (e.g.
accidental connection between two phases).
Brown-Out: Long duration of low voltage (milliseconds to seconds, minutes, hours or
days). Very common in parts of the world especially where the power utilities are over-
stretched. Prolonged and frequent brownouts cause the equipment to malfunction
or not work at all. Repeated episodes are certain to cause damage. Motors and
compressors (and therefore fridges, freezers, coolers, air-conditioners and pumps) are
especially at risk. In time, damage is certain.
What causes it? Most commonly an over-stretched utility, especially in areas of poor
power distribution infra-structure and remote areas. Common in dry seasons where
water is used for electricity generation.
High Voltage Power-Back
Surges
Advanced
Lightning
Low Voltage
Spikes/Surges RFI / Noise Power Cuts Telecom Surges
Expert
Lightning
High Voltage Power-Back
Surges
Advanced
Lightning
Low Voltage
Spikes/Surges Basic
Lightning
RFI / Noise Power Cuts Telecom Surges
Expert
Lightning
Basic
Lightning
High Voltage Power-Back
Surges
Advanced
Lightning
Low Voltage
Spikes/Surges RFI / Noise Power Cuts Telecom Surges
Expert
Lightning
High Voltage Power-Back
Surges
Advanced
Lightning
Low Voltage
Spikes/Surges Basic
Lightning
RFI / Noise Power Cuts Telecom Surges
Expert
Lightning
Basic
Lightning
High Voltage Power-Back
Surges
Advanced
Lightning
Low Voltage
Spikes/Surges RFI / Noise Power Cuts Telecom Surges
Expert
Lightning
High Voltage Power-Back
Surges
Advanced
Lightning
Low Voltage
Spikes/Surges Basic
Lightning
RFI / Noise Power Cuts Telecom Surges
Expert
Lightning
Basic
Lightning
High Voltage Power-Back
Surges
Advanced
Lightning
Low Voltage
Spikes/Surges RFI / Noise Power Cuts Telecom Surges
Expert
Lightning
High Voltage Power-Back
Surges
Advanced
Lightning
Low Voltage
Spikes/Surges Basic
Lightning
RFI / Noise Power Cuts Telecom Surges
Expert
Lightning
Basic
Lightning