Jänniteromahtaminen

Jänniteromahtaminen, also known as voltage collapse, is a phenomenon in electrical power systems that occurs when there is a progressive and uncontrollable drop in voltage throughout a significant portion of the power system. This can lead to widespread blackouts and disruptions in electricity supply. It is a critical issue that power system operators actively work to prevent.

The primary cause of voltage collapse is an imbalance between the reactive power generated and the reactive power consumed by the system. Reactive power is essential for maintaining voltage levels, and when demand for it exceeds supply, the voltage begins to drop. This drop can be triggered by various events, such as sudden increases in load, faults in transmission lines, or the loss of major generation units.

As the voltage drops, inductive loads like motors draw more current to maintain their power output, which further increases the demand for reactive power, exacerbating the voltage decline. This creates a vicious cycle where falling voltage leads to increased current and even lower voltage. Eventually, the voltage can fall to levels insufficient to sustain the operation of critical equipment, leading to cascading failures and widespread outages.

Preventing voltage collapse involves several strategies. Maintaining adequate reactive power reserves, often through the use of synchronous condensers or STATCOMs, is crucial. Effective load shedding, where non-essential loads are disconnected during emergencies, can also help to reduce demand and stabilize voltage. Advanced monitoring and control systems are employed to detect early signs of voltage instability and enable rapid corrective actions by system operators.