A review of international limits for rapid voltage changes in public distribution networks

Abstract

A rapid voltage change (RVC) is a type of commonly occurring voltage fluctuation in low-voltage and medium-voltage distribution networks, normally associated with switching operations, which can affect the performance of equipment and can also produce flicker. The magnitude and frequency of occurrence of RVCs are both limited in the international standards to guarantee the correct operation of power networks and to avoid excessive flicker. This paper presents a critical review of the existing limits defined in the most important international standards on rapid voltage changes for low-voltage and medium-voltage public distribution networks, whose number is expected to grow significantly associated with the switching operations of the control equipment of distributed energy sources in power system networks, highlighting some of their shortcomings as well as the necessity of new indices for better characterization of these events.