Investigation of Power Quality and Luminous Efficacy of Commercial Lamps in Thailand

Abstract

Abstract

The objectives of this paper were to investigate the electrical power quality and efficacy of energy saving lamps. These lamps consume less real power and produce higher relative illumination than traditional lamps. However, energy saving lamps produce high harmonics causing power quality problems. Moreover, they operate at low power factor and demand additional reactive power from the electrical utility. To investigate the power quality of these lamps, a sample of commercial energy saving lamps in Thailand was tested. The experiments were performed by using a luminous flux tester according to IEC standard and the experimental procedures followed the Thai Industrial Standard number 623. The resulting power factors were compared with the requirements of utility and the harmonic distortion was verified with IEEE 519-1992, IEC 6100-3-2 and the requirements of harmonics for business and industry in Thailand. We found that THDV of the sample models exceeded limitations of IEEE 519-1992 while THDV and THDi of almost all the energy saving lamps exceeded the limitations of IEC 6100-3-2. Moreover, the power factors of energy saving lamps did not reach to requirements of utility. It was also found that LED lamps and the compact fluorescent lamps had lower energy consumption and higher illumination than the standard incandescent and mercury lamps. As a consequence, we suggest that choice of a lamp should be considered in regard to the degree of harmonic distortion, power factor, energy consumption, efficacy and associated factors. It is also proposed that innovative energy saving lamps that can raise power factor and lower harmonic distortion should be developed.

Keywords : Energy saving lamps; Harmonics; Luminous efficacy; Power factor; Power quality