The Effect Of Power Failure On Household Electrical Appliances

ABSTRACT

Electric power supply is the most important commodity for national development. With electrical energy the people are empowered to work from the domestic level and the cottage industries, through the small-scale and medium industries to employment in the large-scale manufacturing complexes. In these days, depriving people of electric power is tantamount to castration. Power failure is a period of time when the electricity supply to a particular building or area is interrupted, for example because of damage to the cables or any other reason. Modern equipment requires a continuous supply of electricity. Not only industry, but also in the household. Take the case of a refrigerator. If you experience a power off situation, your food will be spoilt. This work in particular discuses power failure and its effect on appliances.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 TITLE PAGE

APPROVAL PAGE

DEDICATION

ACKNOWELDGEMENT

ABSTRACT

TABLE OF CONTENT

CHAPTER ONE

• INTRODUCTION
• BACKGROUND OF THE PROJECT
• PROBLEM STATEMENT
• AIM/OBJECTIVE OF THE PROJECT
• SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
• TYPES OF POWER FAILURE
• TYPES OF POWER FAILURE

1.7   PROTECTING THE POWER SYSTEM FROM FAILURE

1.8     CAUSES OF POWER FAILURES

1.9  HOW TO PROTECT HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCES FROM ELECTRICAL DISTURBANCES

1.10      EFFECT OF SUDDEN POWER OUTAGE ON ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES

1.11     CONSEQUENCES OF A POWER FAILURE

1.12     CONCLUSION

1.13   RECOMMENDATION

1.14   REFERENCES

CHAPTERONE

1.1                                                        INTRODUCTION

In modern society, it is impossible to imagine life without electricity. Modern equipment requires a continuous supply of electricity. Power outage is the state of complete absence of electricity at the consumer’s end (CEIDS, 2001). This phenomenon comes in different forms – planned, unplanned, unanticipated faults and burnouts. Generally, power outages are as a result of gross shortage of energy. Energy poverty implies the lack of or limited access to energy resources like electricity, gas, fuel, kerosene and diesel. It describes a situation whereby supply of energy services and goods fall below demand or expectations.

Energy poverty is a perennial problem among most developing countries including Nigeria. Statistics shows that 1.4 billion people, about one quarter of the world population have no access to electricity and that a further 1 billion lack reliable access. Interestingly, 80% of these are in South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa (IEA, 2002; IEA, 2011). Record has it also that four out of five people without electricity live in rural areas of the developing countries. Only 5% of sub-Saharan rural populace, for instance, has access to electricity (Davidson and Mwakasonda, n.d.). Many people in the world today rely on traditional bio-mass wood, agricultural residues and dung for cooking and heating owing to shortage of modern fuels.

Electricity provides lighting in households and powers appliances thus extending the day and  providing additional hours for reading and work. The presence of electricity has huge impacts on education as well. The usage of electricity for heating and cooking saves women and children many hours of work. Most households in developing countries rely heavily on wood fuel which negatively impacts their health and social– economic status (Cerny, 2013). In developing countries also, women spend much time to gather wood or other biomass for cooking or heating due to the absence of modern energy including electricity. In India, two to seven hours each day are spent in the collection of fuel for cooking. This reduces the time which ought to have been devoted to other productive activities, such as farming and education. Electricity is essential to the healthcare sector because all modern health appliances are fully dependent upon it [IEA (2002), World Bank (2008)].

Energy crisis is undeniably a major impediment to growth and development in most areas of the world because many countries seeking to develop and become industrialized must first address their energy challenges so as to have readily available adequate and affordable energy goods and services. Electricity is key to socio- economic and technological development as recognized by the Millennium Development Goals and the World Summit on Sustainable Development. Electricity makes life worthwhile in a modern society such that the increased consumption of energy, particularly commercial energy like electricity now symbolise high economic status of a country (Aladejare, 2014)

1.2                                                 .PROBLEM STATEMENT

Nigeria is suffering from the worst energy crisis in its history, resulting in its rural communities being subjected to massive power outages, daily. Energy promotes economic well-being and makes social life worthwhile such that youths are less disposed to violent crimes. This study investigated the consequences of power outages on the social-economic life of rural households in Nigeria. The study focused on the relationship between power outage and its impact on electric appliances. It was found that stunted economic growth, reduced leisure time as well as heightened criminality and insecurity are some of the major results of rampant power outages among rural households in the Nigeria. It is concluded that power outages have severe negative impact on appliances. This study was carried out to study power failure and its impact on appliances.

• OBJECTIVE/AIM OF THE STUDY

The main aim of this work is to discuses on power failure in Nigeria and its effect on our appliances. The objectives are:

1. To determine whether power outages constitute a major challenge in the well-being of rural households in Nigeria.
2. To ascertain whether power outages constitute a major challenge in appliances

• To study causes power failure, and

1. how to prevent power failure from damaging our appliances.

1.3                                           SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

As a student of electrical engineering, this seminar has exposed my knowledge about power failure, its causes, the effects on our appliances and how to prevent  it from damaging our appliances.

1.4                                           TYPES OF POWER FAILURE

Power outages are categorized into three different phenomena, relating to the duration and effect of the outage:

• A transient fault is a momentary (a few seconds) loss of power typically caused by a temporary fault on a power line. Power is automatically restored once the fault is cleared.
• A brownout or sag is a drop in voltage in an electrical power supply. The term brownout comes from the dimming experienced by lighting when the voltage sags. Brownouts can cause poor performance of equipment or even incorrect operation.
• A blackout refers to the total loss of power to an area and is the most severe form of power outage that can occur. Blackouts which result from or result in power stations tripping are particularly difficult to recover from quickly. Outages may last from a few minutes to a few weeks depending on the nature of the blackout and the configuration of the electrical network.

1.5                                           CAUSES OF POWER FAILURES

Electrical power, in the short span of two centuries, has become an indispensable part of modern day life. Our work, leisure, healthcare, economy, and livelihood depend on a constant supply of electrical power. Even a temporary stoppage of power can lead to relative chaos, monetary setbacks, and possible loss of life. Our cities live on electricity and without the customary supply from the power grid, pandemonium would break loose. Power outages can be especially disastrous when it comes to life-support systems in places like hospitals and nursing homes, or in co-ordination facilities such as in airports, train stations, and traffic control.

Fortunately, most life support facilities have a source of backup power that is ready to automatically take over should the main power grid fail.  Backup power is also increasingly being used in corporate facilities, manufacturing, mining, businesses, and even residential houses as the dependence on electronics and computers in our daily lives increases. While a loss of power in smaller scale settings may not be life threatening, it can result in lost data, missed deadlines, decrease in productivity, or loss of revenue.

It is important to know about the possible causes of power failure in order to better protect ourselves and our businesses from its devastating effects. Once we have identified all that can possibly go wrong, it is easier to ensure that adequate safeguards are put into place. Here are a few of some of the obvious, and some not so obvious, causes of power failure:

Natural Causes – Weather Related:

The Edison Electric Institute states that 70% of power outages in Nigeria  are weather related. Numerous power failures are caused by natural weather phenomena such as lightening, rain, snow, ice, wind, and even dust.  While it is more difficult to safeguard from major power failure from natural calamities like floods and severe storms, it does not take much to safeguard your electrical systems from the effects of water and dust. Water can lead to short circuits and power failure. The damage caused due to water in electrical circuits can be very expensive so it makes sense to ensure that you are well protected from it.

Dust can also wreack havoc with electrical systems and lead to short circuits and power failures. If you live in an area that is exposed to dust or sandstorms, you should pay special attention to the location of your electrical circuits and ensure that they are protected from dust exposure as much as possible.  Sealed circuit boxes can also help in protecting your critical electrical equipment and can aid in preventing unplanned power failures.

Natural disasters have historically been at the root of the world’s most severe power outages.  Hurricanes, floods, wind storms, earthquakes, tsunamis, and other severe weather can completely destroy critical power infrastructure and result in outages that leave expansive geographic regions without power for days, weeks, and even months.

Other Causes of Outages:

The Edison Electric Institute study also indicates that animals coming into contact with power lines, such as large birds, accounted for 11% of outages in the United States.  Additional causes of failures were primarily man made outages that show up in the form of vehicle and construction accidents with power poles and power lines, maintenance from utilities, and the occasional human error.

For more information on some specific things that contribute to outages common terminology used to describe various situations, and ideas on things you can do to prevent failures, a number of key areas are outlined in more detail below:

Short Circuits:

A short circuit is the most commonly used term to describe the cause of a power failure. Unfortunately, it is also a term that is bandied about without people having much knowledge of what it actually means.

A short circuit occurs when an electric current travels along a path that is different from the intended one in an electrical circuit. When this happens, there is an excessive electric current which can lead to circuit damage, fire, and explosion. In fact, short circuits are one of the primary causes of electrical fires throughout the world.

Why do short circuits occur?

Short circuits can occur when the insulation of the wiring used breaks down. It can also occur due to the presence of an external conducting material (such as water) that is introduced accidently into the circuit. Electrical batteries can explode if they are subjected to a large current. Short circuits can even occur when electric motors are forced to operate when the moving parts are jammed. This can result in abnormal buildup of current, ultimately leading to a short circuit.

Prevention and Safety

Now that we are aware of the possible causes of a short circuit, let us look at some of the ways in which we can safeguard our electrical systems from the hazards they pose. First and foremost, ensure that all the equipment that is used in your electrical installation is composed of good quality materials and meets the correct specification for your application. The initial installation costs may be higher than a system made with cheaper materials but the savings you will make in avoiding potential losses caused by short circuits and maintenance can be substantial, not to mention the additional safety and peace of mind you get.

Wires should always be of the highest quality and of the correct gauge for your application. It should also be kept in mind that wires and other electrical circuits should not be overloaded. Electrical overload leads to overheating, causing the insulation to break down, which in turn can lead to a short circuit. Pumps, pistons, rotors and other moving parts of an electric motor should be regularly serviced and checked to ensure that there is no jamming. High quality fuses, circuit breakers, and other overload protection devices should be installed so that power can be immediately disconnected in the event of a short circuit, thereby preventing damage to sensitive equipment. When utilizing circuit breakers, it is also important to select circuit breakers of the proper rating. Water is another frequent cause of short circuits. It should be ensured that all exposed circuits are kept covered and protected from moisture.

Brownouts:
A brownout is a drop in the electrical power supply. It is so called because it leads to a drop in voltage and causes lights to become dim. Although brownouts are not total power failures, they can adversely affect electrical equipment. Induction and three-phase electrical motors (like those used in industrial diesel generators) are especially at risk during a brownout, since they can overheat and their insulation can get damaged. If your main power supply is erratic and you experience frequent brownouts, you should consider investing in a backup power system that will automatically take over and provide your equipment with the necessary power when the voltage drops.

Blackouts:
Blackouts refer to a complete loss of a power to a geographic area and is the most severe form of power outage that occurs. Depending on the root cause of the blackout, restoring power is often a complex task that utilities and power stations must undertake and repair timeframes very greatly depending on the configuration of the affected electrical network.

Power Surges:

Power surges are the bane of any electrical system. A power surge can lead to rapid overheating and loss of critical and expensive equipment. Fortunately, protection from such surges is available in the form of surge protectors and circuits breakers. Surge protection should ideally be integrated into your main power switchboard itself. Smaller setups, which have a limited number of critical pieces of equipment, can choose to utilize portable surge protection devices that plug in to the power grid.

Electrical trees:

Electrical treeing is a phenomenon that affects high power installations such as high voltage power cables, transformers, etc. Any impurities or mechanical defects in the equipment used in high voltage installations can lead to partial electric discharges in the equipment. The damaging process manifests itself in a tree-like pattern, hence the name electrical treeing. Over a period of time, if it goes undetected, this phenomenon can lead to a continuous degradation of the equipment and eventually result in a total breakdown.

In order to combat electrical treeing, it is important to use high quality materials that are designed to handle the electric load. Regular maintenance performed by trained engineers can also help to identify and rectify electrical treeing before it can cause a major breakdown.

1.6 HOW TO PROTECT HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCES FROM ELECTRICAL DISTURBANCES

Many people’s homes are littered with various appliances, from large mainstays like refrigerators and washing machines to smaller tools like toaster ovens and hair dryers. These appliances often prove crucial for day-to-day activities, and can be expensive to replace if damaged or destroyed. For this reason, you’ll want to learn how to protect household appliances from electrical disturbances. The 2 main types of disturbances that you can protect against are voltage surges and power outages.

Steps

1. Use surge protecting power strips in your home. The quickest and least expensive solution for protecting appliances is plugging them into a power strip with a built-in surge protector. These power strips are usually equipped with a fuse that is designed to fail in the event of a voltage spike, cutting off power to your appliances and protecting them.

• This option tends to provide the least protection against severe electrical disturbances, however, and your appliances may be damaged even if the fuse blows as designed.
• Note that not all power strips or extension cords feature a surge protector. Note also that many surge protector strips will feature a switch that must be engaged for the surge protection to work.

4. Install a whole-house surge protector in your electrical panel. A more thorough and robust solution than using power strips is to install a snap-in surge protector directly into your electrical panel. A single protector of this type offers surge protection for your whole home, and can be installed easily if you are comfortable working in your electrical panel.

• Because this type of surge protection engages before the voltage spike spreads through your home’s wiring, it offers greater protection for your appliances than individual power strips.
  • Whole-house surge protectors are usually designed to accept 240 volts, which means you’ll need 2 empty and adjacent 120-volt spaces in your panel to install this device.

3. Contact your electricity provider about meter-mounted surge protection. The most robust solution of all is to mount a surge protector along your incoming electrical line, just before your meter. This type of work must be done by a certified electrician and in accordance with your local utility provider’s restrictions.
4. Install GFCI outlets throughout your home. In many countries, GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter) outlets are required in new kitchens and bathrooms; they are the electrical outlets with red and black buttons labeled “Test” and “Reset.” These outlets monitor the electricity flowing into and out of each socket and shut off the flow if the difference exceeds a certain amount.

• These outlets help protect against “ground faults” – when electricity flows out of an appliance’s wiring and into the ground through the nearest conductor. If this conductor is a person, severe injury or death can result.
• Updating your existing outlets with GFCI outlets (especially in wet areas like kitchens and bathrooms) is a quick way to add additional protection against electrical problems with your appliances.

Protect appliances from power outages using an uninterruptible power supply (UPS). A UPS is type of large power strip that contains a backup battery. If any problems are detected in the incoming voltage (which includes both surges and power outages), the battery engages, allowing you to operate the appliance without interruption. This is especially useful for protecting desktop computers from outages that can cause lost work.

1.6        EFFECT OF SUDDEN POWER OUTAGE ON ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES

Electrical appliances will, of course, stop working if the power goes out. This is inconvenient but not necessarily harmful. When electrical power comes back after an outage, it goes through a surge condition. This “tidal wave” of electricity can damage appliances left turned on.

During normal electrical conditions, appliances use electrical current according to their purpose and rating. The AC line voltage is normal and stable, and the motors, heaters and electronics in an appliance behave the way they were designed. The appliance uses a nominal amount of current.

The electrical system can suffer brownouts, or severe dips in voltage, particularly during hot weather, when air conditioning taxes the power grid. The normal 105 to 120 volts drops below 90 volts for seconds or minutes. This causes electric motors to run inefficiently or not at all.

Damage to power lines, severe weather, and aging equipment can cause the electricity to go out in a wide area. In such a case, electricity can’t travel from the power generating station to your home or office. The wires supplying electricity become empty of electrical current.

When the utility restores power to an area, the wires, which were empty of electrical current, experience an inrush called a surge. During the surge, electricity flows in rapidly to fill the empty wires. Momentarily, the current flowing in greatly exceeds the nominal current that appliances were designed to handle.

The line voltage can surge when the current does, spiking the normal 110 volt line with 200 volts or more for brief periods. This can happen after blackouts, from lightning strikes, or for other causes. Severe voltage surges can damage or destroy most electrical equipment.

If the power goes out for an extended time, switch off or unplug electric lights and any appliances, including computers, televisions and refrigerators. When the power comes back on, let the electricity stabilize for a few minutes before turning appliances back on. For computers and expensive electronics, invest in power strips with surge suppressors or similar protective equipment.