Understanding PZM Voltage Regulator Alerts

Efficient voltage regulation is the linchpin of a reliable electrical grid. With PZM's cutting-edge SaaS app designed for electric cooperatives, you can ensure optimal performance and longevity.

High / Moderate Regulator Ops Count Alarm:

This alert is because the voltage regulator’s tap changer may be operating too much. High tap operations will lead to increased contact resistance and potential failure of the regulator. Typically, a regulator requires maintenance every 100,000 taps or 10 years of operation. PZM calculates the average annual tap operations and has a high alarm at 10,000 and a moderate alarm at 8,000 operations per year. Checking for mis- coordination between regulators, increasing the bandwidth, and/or extending the time delay between taps reduce cause excessive operations.

High/Low Drag Hand Alarm:

This alert is because the voltage regulator’s drag hand is outside an acceptable operating range (PZM’s default is +12 for high alarm and -12 for low alarm). High drag hand positions indicate low source voltage. Low drag hands indicate high source voltage. The drag hand alarms should be set to alarm you in time to make improvements to your system to maintain +/-95% of rated operating voltage.
Associated Fields: High Drag Hand Alarm, Low Drag Hand Alarm.

PZM Alert Types

  • Inspection Alerts instantly tell you what and where inspections are past due or due within the next 7 days.
  • Deficiency Alerts tell you instantly what and where your highest risk deficiencies are.
  • System Voltage Alerts instantly tell you where the highest and lowest voltage levels are on your transmission and distribution system.
  • Reg Ops Alerts tell you your most active regulators on the system and enable you to prevent worn contacts and premature failure of the regulator.
  • Breaker Ops Alerts identifies which breaker or recloser is experiencing the most faults on the system, and the user-defined impact of those faults, based on any combination of meter counts, load at risk, or revenue at risk.
PZM Alerts are designed to get the most out of your inspection program. We save hours and hours of grueling analysis and deliver quality, actionable information that will improve your utility's electrical system with a click of a button.

PZM Alert Definitions

Additional Reading