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Graphic Functions Analytical Identification

at Flicker Evaluation
Victoria F. POLEC, Virgil MAIER, Sorin G. PAVEL, Horia G. BELEIU and Claudiu CIORCA
Department of Electrical Power Systems and Management
Technical University of Cluj-Napoca
Cluj-Napoca, Romania

Abstract - The flaring phenomenon or flicker is framed with no


less than three indicators for which there are normalized values.
The methodologies for determining indicators as flicker dose
and severity as well as the voltage fluctuations limits use graphic
functions, experimentally determined. A LabVIEW original
program is used in order to identify the optimal analytical
expressions for graphic or tabular functions like graphic
functions from the flicker evaluation. It aims, on the one hand,
to make easier the software implementation of the flicker
indicators calculation methods and on the other hand to ensure
their analytical handling. Simple expressions identified for
graphic functions, relative to flicker, present acceptable relative
mean square deviations, which allow the flicker dose
determination with the required precision. Also, comparing the
voltage fluctuations amplitudes with standardized values can be
directly made, on an analytical way.
Index Terms--Flicker, Graphic
LabVIEW Program, PQ indicators.

I.

functions

identification,

INTRODUCTION

Among the power quality (PQ) aspects, the flicker


phenomenon is the best framed with standardized indicators.
Thus, the amplitude fluctuations, the flicker dose and the
flicker severity have relations or even calculation methods
whose applying determine indicators concrete values.
Indicators normalized limits may be compared with the
calculated ones and an accurate characterization of the
identified flicker level may be performed.

experimental measurements, whose results are expressed as


graphical dependencies [2,3]. The analytical identification of
the graphic functions needful to flicker evaluation represents
the main objective of this paper. Through this, it can be
realized an easier and more accurate implementation of the
flicker evaluation methods in computer programs, firstly in the
"virtual instruments" ones [4] and then in the flicker meters
and power meters software.
II.

THEORETICAL BASICS

A. Flicker phenomenon
The flicker is defined by the impression of the visual
sensation instability produced by a luminous stimulus whose
luminance or spectral distribution fluctuates over time [3].
This definition coordinates are extremely important in
order to understand the implementation modality of the flicker
evaluation analytical methods. Essentially is the fact that we
deal with instability or a variability of the visual sensation.
The overtime fluctuation term highlights the periodically
character of the visual sensation, with periodicities in the
fluctuations specific domain.
Within a lighting system, the luminance variations may be
related to the voltage variations. Due to this fact, the voltage
fluctuations represent by definition variations of the voltage
effective or peak values (amplitudes) within 10%, produced
in the (0,00325) Hz frequency domain (periodicities between
40 ms5 min) [2,5].

However, regarding the insufficient control of the flicker


some clues appeared, especially on its consequences on
human beings. Thus, the paper [1] highlights, for the first
time, the traffic routes flicker, warning that the estimated
values seem high which explains to some extend the large
number of accidents. Also, TV news presented as a stupid
accident when a young dancer was fatally injured as a result of
uncontrolled muscle contractions caused by an extremely
intense dynamic light.

If Uj and Uj+1 are two consecutive values of the voltage


amplitude, determinable from an oscillogram, a record or by
data acquisition, the voltage fluctuation amplitude is defined
by the relation:

Considering that some of the flicker evaluative aspects are


related to characteristics of the visual perception, specific to a
medium human eye, a lot of involved variables are based on

where U n represents the effective nominal voltage. To be


noted that, as it is defined, the voltage fluctuation amplitude is
a positive variable.

978-1-4673-6487-4/14/$31.00 2014 IEEE

U j

| U j U j 1 |

2U n

B. Indicators and evaluation methods


a. Fluctuations amplitude - frequency correlation

U 10

fi

U fi

, %

The first of the limitations imposed to flicker is expressed


through the voltage fluctuations amplitude, maximum
permissible in the LV public networks, depending on the
number of fluctuations per time unit, shown in Fig. 1.

Figure 3. Voltage fluctuations equivalence coefficients for:


1 incandescent lamps; 2 fluorescent lamps.

and the flicker dose calculation is performed with the relation


Figure 1. The voltage fluctuations amplitude, maximum permissible in the
LV public network, depending on the number of fluctuation per minute:
1 by IEC; 2 for incandescent lamps; 3 for fluorescent lamps.

T0

F U10 2 dt , (%) 2 min,

b. Flicker dose
The voltage fluctuations influence on the eyesight depends
not only on the frequency and amplitude, but also on the
modulating signal shape, as shown in Fig. 2.

Figure 2. Eyesight sensitivity threshold versus the modulation signal


amplitude and frequency for rectangular (1) and sinusoidal (2) modulations.

The cumulative principle is applied in the flicker dose


evaluation, based on the record of the eyes accumulated
tiredness, up to a dose when work becomes impossible. The
method is based on the equivalence of a fi frequency
fluctuation having the amplitude Ufi with a 10 Hz frequency
fluctuation having the equivalent amplitude

(U10 )i g fi U fi ,

%,

in order to determine an identical discomfort sensation. The gf


equivalence coefficients are experimentally determined
according to the light source type and the fluctuations
frequency. Fig. 3 shows the variation curves of the voltage
fluctuations equivalence coefficients.
The effects superposition of some different frequencies
fluctuations is done with the relation:

where T0 represents the estimation (observation) period.


Finally, the calculated values are compared with the
admissible ones which are indicated in [2].
C. Program for graphic or tabular functions identification
As it can be observed, the application of the flicker
indicators evaluation methods involves the use of seven
graphics functions (Fig. 13), experimentally determined. The
analytical identification of these ones, particularly of those
who are involved in the flicker indicators estimation, would
facilitate the application of the calculation methodology.
In order to achieve this objective, the identifying program
for graphic or tabular functions was used [6]. The logical
diagram of the program, shown in Fig. 4, is liable to allow
understanding the facilities offered by it.
The input data are represented by the number of points Np,
which are to be used and for which the pairs (xj, yj), j {1Np}
are introduced. Using a number of points greater than the one
needed to identify the analytical function coefficients is
desirable for a better detection, through the mean square error.
The initial coordinates can be manually introduced or taken
from an Excel file.
Furthermore,
the
program
allows
elementary
transformations of the coordinates, as shown in Table I. This
measure increases the chances of a more appropriate
identification of the given input function.
TABLE I.
Processing function
xt Fx x
yt Fy y

INPUT DATA PROCESSING METHODS


Processing function type
e x ln x , x 0 lg x , x 0

x p , pR

y p , pR

ey

ln y , y 0

lg y

, y0

Assuming that the identified function on the used


coordinates is noted by F, then the analytical function,

considering the case when only the abscissas are being


processed, has the form:

Mk
in order to find the function coefficients. All C Np
possible
combinations of points are generated in the program and for
each of them the corresponding elementary functions are
determined.

The program returns analytically and graphically that


function which has the minimum mean square deviation and
respects the monotony intervals. It also indicates the mean
square deviation value determined according to the relation:
N p 1

2
( Ygiven k Ycalc k )

k 0

N p ( N p 1)

where Np is the number of initial points;


Ygivenk - ordinates of the initial points;
Ycalck - identified function ordinates, for the initial abscissas
Also, the ordinates arithmetic mean value is calculated by
using the relation

Ymed

1 N p 1
Yk
N p k 0

in order to calculate the relative error

Figure 4. The flux diagram of the analytical identification program.

y F Fx x

and if only the ordinates are being processed:

y Fy1 F x

The user can opt for the selection of some of these


functions, considered preferential, or to run the program by
selecting all elementary functions. Also, when the function
monotony is considered important, the user can activate this
option and generate its characteristics on the existing intervals.
In a first stage, the identification of a single function across
the entire domain of definition is followed, so the application
of Spline functions is not considered.
For each selected function there is a determined Mk number
of conditions corresponding to a required pairs of coordinates

considered to be more expressive than the absolute value of


the mean square error given by (7).
A superposed representation of the initial points and of the
identified function was chosen in order to have a comparative
suggestive imagine.
III.

In the program, 16 elementary functions are implemented,


as follows:
polynomial function: linear one the 5th degree;
Lagrange interpolation polynomial;
exponential, logarithmic and hyperbolic functions;
power functions of sin x and cos x.

MSE
100, %
Ymed

GRAPHICAL FUNCTIONS IDENTIFICATION

A. Fluctuations maximum admitted amplitude


From the graphics presented in Fig. 1, the function
corresponding to the fluorescent lighting has been chosen. The
coordinates chosen for Np=13 points are shown in Table II.
TABLE II.
Nf
U%
log(Nf)
Nf
U%
log(Nf)

min-1
%
min-1
%

VOLTAGE FLUCTUATIONS AMPLITUDE, MAXIMUM


ADMITTED, IN THE LV PUBLIC NETWORKS
2
5
0,301
600
0,85
2,778

6
3,5
0,778
1000
0,61
3

10
3
1
1200
2,146
0,615

20
2,46
1,301
1600
2,301
0,79

60
1,85
1,778
1800
2,477
0,89

100
1,6
2
2000
2,602
0,96

200
1,42
2,301

The optimal identified function has, in this case, the


analytical expression defined on two sub domains:

0,161 N f 2 2,014 N f 5,201, N f 2 1150;


U %

2
1,305 N f 6,74 N f 8,98, N f 1150 2000.
where Nf represents the number of fluctuations per minute.
The graphical representation of the identified functions in
accordance with (10) is shown in Fig. 5 considering x = Nf.

C. The sensitivity threshold of human eyesight for


sinusoidal modulation
The variation of the human eyesight sensitivity threshold
depending on the modulation signal frequency, for sinusoidal
modulation (Fig. 2, curve 2), is numerically transposed
through the coordinates given in Table IV for Np = 10.
TABLE IV.
SENSITIVITY THRESHOLD OF THE HUMAN EYESIGHT,
DEPENDING ON THE MODULATION SIGNAL FREQUENCY, FOR SINUSOIDAL
MODULATION
f
U%
f
U%

Hz
%
Hz
%

0,9
1,2
10
0,305

1
1,12
12
0,33

3
0,69
15
0,42

5
0,43
20
0,674

8
0,3
23
0,9

Following the procedure, the following optimal function,


defined on the entire domain of definition, was obtained:
Figure 5. Voltage fluctuations amplitude, maximum permissible, in the LV
public networks.

B. The sensitivity threshold of human eyesight for


rectangular modulation
The variation curve of the human eyesight sensitivity
threshold versus the modulation signal frequency, for
rectangular modulation (Fig. 2, curve 1), leads to the
coordinates presented in Table III, for Np= 11.

U % 0 ,001 f 4 0 ,007 f 3 0 ,019 f 2 , (12)

1,1287 x 1,1287 , % 4 ,86%

whose graphical representation is given in Fig. 7, by taking


into account that x = f, namely that on the x axis the modulator
signal frequency, under sinusoidal form is indicated.

TABLE III.
SENSITIVITY THRESHOLD OF THE HUMAN EYESIGHT,
DEPENDING ON THE MODULATION SIGNAL FREQUENCY, FOR RECTANGULAR
MODULATION
f
U%
f
U%

Hz
%
Hz
%

0
0,38
12
0,25

1
0,38
15
0,314

3
0,34
20
0,485

5
0,26
23
0,545

8
0,195
25
0,60

10
0,2

The dependence described by the following expression


was identified as the optimal function:

U % 0,0633 103 f 3 0,0039 f 2


0,0479 f 0,3795, % 2,61%

for which the graphical representation shown in Fig. 6 was


obtained (where x = f), with an acceptable fidelity in
comparison with the one given graphically (Fig. 2, curve 1).

Figure 7. Graphical representation of the identified function for the human


eyesight sensitivity threshold, depending on the modulation signal frequency,
for sinusoidal modulation.

D. Voltage fluctuations equivalence coefficients for


fluorescent lamps
Passing to the graphical functions, necessary in
calculations used on the flicker dose determination, the
equivalence coefficients of the voltage fluctuations are firstly
presented for fluorescent lamps (Fig. 3, curve 2). Table V was
realized in this case including the coordinates of Np=11 points
considered as representative.
TABLE V.

COORDINATES OF THE VOLTAGE FLUCTUATIONS


EQUIVALENCE COEFFICIENTS, FOR FLUORESCENT LAMPS

f
gf
f
gf

Figure 6. Graphical representation of the identified function for the human


eyesight sensitivity threshold, depending on the modulation signal frequency,
for rectangular modulation.

Hz
Hz
-

1
0,3
15
0,85

2,5
0,47
17,5
0,83

5
0,76
20
0,825

7,5
0,93
22,5
0,822

10
1
25
0,82

12,5
0,93

The expression defined on two sub domains was chosen


(13) among the identified solutions, remarkable through its
sub unitary relative errors, %<1%:

U %

0,115 10 3 f 3 0,006 f 2 0,167 f

0,101, f 1 10;

0,553 cos f 70,6 0,818, f 10 25.

The graphical representation of the identified functions is


given in Fig. 8, where a very good correlation with the original
graph (Fig. 3, curve 2) may be observed.

Figure 8. Graphical representation of the identified function for the voltage


fluctuations equivalence coefficients gf = Y, for fluorescent lamps.

E. Voltage fluctuations equivalence coefficients, for


incandescent lamps
For the graphically known function of the equivalence
coefficients, for incandescent lamps (Fig. 3, curve 1), Np=11
points were chosen for the same abscissas as in the previous
case. Their coordinates are presented in Table VI.
TABLE VI.

GRAPHICAL FUNCTION COORDINATES, WITH THE


EQUIVALENCE COEFFICIENTS OF THE VOLTAGE FLUCTUATIONS, FOR
INCANDESCENT LAMPS

f
gf
f
gf

1
0,14
15
0,67

Hz
Hz
-

2,5
0,26
17,5
0,5

5
0,53
20
0,39

7,5
0,8
22,5
0,3

10
1
25
0,24

12,5
0,86

Again, the most convenient identification was obtained


considering two divisions of the definition domain and the
analytical function for the equivalence coefficients has the
following form:

0,105 f 0,005, for f 1 10;

26,03
0,137 , f 10 25.
1,311 cos f

U %

The graphical representation of the identified function (14)


is given in Fig. 9, where a good conformity with the initial
representation can be seen (Fig. 3, curve 1), which is also
sustained by the relative errors, %{1,23; 0,85}.

Figure 9. Identified function for the equivalence coefficients gf = Y of the


voltage fluctuations, for incandescent lamps.

IV.

CONCLUSIONS

Even if the flicker seems to be the best framed with


carefully and precisely developed indicators, of which the
flicker severity has quite a sufficient developed statistic, the
situation of its analytical definition does not seem to be
complete. The expression of the fluctuations amplitude,
contested in [5] just on the definition relation, unanimously
accepted for the flicker phenomenon, puts again the subject in
question and calls to reconsideration of some norms and
estimation methods.
The graphical dependencies, experimentally determined,
characteristic for this phenomenon and for its effects require
an analytical expression in order to facilitate the flicker
determination methodology and also of the flickermeter
software implementation [7,8,9].
The virtual instrument, implemented for the analytically
identification of the graphically or tabular known curves, has
allowed to determine some acceptable expressions for each
one of the dependencies related to the flicker, by taking into
account their monotony conservation and also the obtained
precision.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
This paper was realized with the support of the Sectorial
Operational Program Human Resources Development,
financed from the European Social Fund under the contract
POSDRU/159/1.5/S/137516.
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