The Worldwide Leader in Flicker and Arc Furnace Power Monitoring Technology
Flicker and Arc Furnace Power Monitoring
Power grid flicker and harmonic disturbances caused by electric arc based steel manufacturing furnaces are of great concern to public utilities, electric steel producers and electronic equipment manufacturers. Power grid disturbances are commonly noticed by complaints of flickering lights by the general public. However, these fluctuations in voltage happen on a large scale commonly in the network surrounding steel mills, but also can occur hundreds of miles away on the power grid. In addition to lighting complaints, these fluctuations have been associated with malfunction of the surrounding community's sensitive electronic equipment including biomedical systems, servers, TV's and computers. The public demand for efficient, "clean" disturbance-free power is contrasted by the steel industry operating trends toward higher power, longer and inherently less stable arcs.
Flicker suppression by power restriction results in higher steel production costs and longer process times. Corrective equipment such as static var compensators mean significant capital expenditures.
UHP INTERNATIONAL, INC. has been a pioneer and technological leader with over fifty years experience in measurement and evaluation of utility network disturbances and effective arc furnace power delivery. UHP Flicker monitoring dates back prior to 1939 with equipment accepted for industry standards. We have developed the UHP POWER ANALYZER III pioneering arc furnace power optimization. The UHP NETWORK FLICKER/HARMONIC ANALYZER has become the standard in flicker monitoring and evaluation. This system is now available as the continuous three phase digital UHP Flicker Harmonic Analyzer Model IID featuring both local and remote display and analysis. Over 70 UHP systems are in North American and worldwide operation. Field Services provide evaluation of network disturbances and arc furnace operating parameters.
UHP INTERNATIONAL, INC. provides flicker information, evaluations and projections for new or revamp furnace installations, static var compensators and other corrective systems. UHP has completed the first comprehensive revision of flicker sensitivity curves detailing lighting response variations for not only incadescent light bulbs but also flourescent, halogen and modern energy saving compact flourescent lights. We have also provided scoping studies related to arc furnace flicker and power utilization for EPRI and CMP and completed numerous major evaluations for steel producers and electric utilities for both AC and DC arc furnaces and other fluctuating load equipment. Utilizing this extensive data base of actual case studies, realistic flicker projections can be made - without the pitfalls of theoretical models and assumptions!
UHP Systems and Sevices have been sold or applied in the following territories
- United States
- Canada
- South America
- Europe
- Eastern Europe
- Asia
- Africa
- Australia