Voltage Flicker Primer

Submitted to the IEEE SCC 21 P1547 Working Group

June 17, 1999
Jeff W. Smith
Electrotek Concepts, Inc.
Knoxville, TN
jeffsmith@electrotek.com
Introduction
Flicker is a relatively old subject that has recently gained considerable attention due to the
increased awareness of issues concerning power quality. Power engineers first dealt with flicker
in the 1880s when the decision of using ac over dc was of concern [1]. Low frequency ac
voltages resulted in a flickering of the lights. To avoid this problem, a higher 60 Hz frequency
was chosen as the standard frequency in North America.
What is Flicker?
The term flicker is sometimes considered synonymous with voltage fluctuations, voltage flicker,
light flicker, or lamp flicker. The phenomena being referred to can be defined as a fluctuation in
system voltage that can result in observable changes (flickering) in light output. Because voltage
flicker is mostly a problem when the human eye observes it, usually it is considered to be a
problem of perception. There are, however, rare cases where voltage flicker can affect
equipment operation such as electric drives and UPS systems [1].
Voltage flicker can be separated into two types: cyclic and noncyclic. Cyclic flicker is a result of
periodic voltage fluctuations in the system voltage, with noncyclic referring to occasional voltage
fluctuations. An example of sinusoidal-cyclic flicker is shown in Figure 1.
200
150

50
0
-50
-100
-150

0.933

0.875

0.817

0.758

0.700

0.642

0.583

0.525

0.467

0.408

0.350

0.292

0.233

0.175

0.117

0.058

-200
0.000

Voltage (V)

100

Time (s)

Figure 1. Example Graph of Voltage Flicker

As shown in Figure 1, flicker is simply amplitude modulation where the main signal (60Hz for
North America) is the carrier signal and flicker is the modulating signal. The usual method for
expressing voltage flicker is similar to that of amplitude modulation. Voltage flicker is usually
expressed as a percent of the total change in voltage with respect to the average voltage (V/V)
over a specified time interval.

Voltage Change (in Volts) on 120V System

In the early 1900s, many studies were done on humans to determine the levels of voltage flicker
that were both observable and objectionable. Many curves, such as the one shown in Figure 2,
were developed by various companies to determine the severity of voltage flicker. The flicker
curve shown in Figure 2 was developed by C.P. Xenis and W. Perine in 1937, and was based
upon data obtained from 21 groups of observers. In order to account for the nature of flicker, the
observers were exposed to various waveshape voltage variations, levels of illumination, and
types of lighting [2].

Figure 2. General Flicker Curve

The frequency content of voltage flicker is extremely important in determining whether or not
flicker levels are observable (or objectionable). The typical frequency range of observable flicker
is from 0.5Hz to 30.0 Hz, with observable magnitudes starting at less than 1.0%. As shown in
Figure 2, the most sensitive frequency range for voltage flicker is approximately 5-10 Hz. In
essence, this means that the human eye is more susceptible to voltage fluctuations in this 5-10 Hz
range. As the frequency of flicker increases or decreases away from this range, the human eye
generally becomes more tolerant to luminance fluctuations.
One issue that was not considered in the development of Figure 2 is that of multiple flicker
signals. Generally, most flicker producing loads contain multiple voltage flicker signals (of
various magnitudes and frequencies), thus making it more difficult to use flicker curves in
evaluating the levels of voltage flicker.

Sources
Typically speaking, voltage flicker occurs on relatively weak systems with a low short-circuit
ratio. This, in combination with considerable variations in line current over a short period of
time, results in voltage flicker. As the load increases, the current in the line increases, thus
increasing the voltage drop across line. This phenomenon results in a sudden reduction in bus
voltage. Depending upon the change in magnitude of voltage and frequency of occurrence, this
could result in observable amounts of voltage flicker. If a lighting load were connected to the
system in relatively close proximity to the fluctuating load, observers would see this as a
dimming (or flickering) of the lights. A common situation which could result in voltage flicker
would be a large plant located at the end of a weak distribution feeder.
Whether the resulting voltage fluctuations cause observable flicker is dependent upon the
following parameters:
!
!
!

Size of flicker producing source

System impedance (stiffness of utility)
Frequency of resulting voltage fluctuations

A common load which often causes voltage flicker would be an electric arc furnace (EAF) or
welder. EAFs are non-linear, time-varying loads, which often cause large voltage fluctuations
and harmonic distortion. Large induction machines undergoing startup or widely varying torque
changes are also known to produce voltage fluctuations on systems. As shown in Figure 3, as an
induction machine is started up, most of the power drawn by the motor is reactive. This results
in a large voltage drop across distribution lines. Figure 4 demonstrates the affect on voltage of
induction motor starting and torque variations.

Reactive Power

Real Power

1.0

0.9

0.8

0.7

0.6

0.5

0.4

0.3

0.2

0.1

0.0

Slip

Figure 3. Real and Reactive Power During Induction Machine Startup

Figure 4. Voltage Fluctuations Caused by an Induction Machine

Although starting large induction machines across-the-line is not considered to be a
recommended practice, it does however occasionally occur. Generally, motors are brought up to
speed using reduced voltage starters or variable speed drives.
Interharmonics
In certain circumstances, superimposed interharmonics in the supply voltage can lead to
oscillating luminous flux and cause light flicker. Voltage interharmonics are components in the
harmonic spectrum that are non-integer multiples of the fundamental frequency. This
phenomenon can be observed with incandescent lamps as well as with fluorescent lamps.
Sources of interharmonics include static frequency converters, cycloconverters, sub-synchronous
converter cascades, induction machines, and arc furnaces [3].
Present Evaluation and Measurement Techniques
RMS Strip Charts
Historically, voltage flicker has been measured using rms meters, load duty cycle, and a flicker
curve. If sudden rms voltage deviations occurred with specified frequencies exceeding values
found in flicker curves, such as the one shown in Figure 2, the system was said to have
experienced voltage flicker. An example graph of rms voltage variations is shown in Figure 5,
where large voltage deviations up 9.0V rms (V/V = 8.0% on 120V base) are found. Upon
comparing this to the flicker curve in Figure 2, the feeder would be experiencing voltage flicker,
regardless of the duty cycle of the load producing the voltage flicker because any sudden total
change in voltage greater than 7.0V rms results in objectionable flicker, regardless of the
frequency. The advantage to such a method is that it is quite simple in nature and the rms data
required is rather easy to acquire. The most obvious disadvantage to such a method would be the
lack of accuracy and inability to obtain the exact frequency content of the voltage flicker.

Figure 5. RMS Voltage Variations

Flicker Meters
The most accurate method for measuring flicker is to use what are known as flicker meters.
Generally, these meters can be divided up into three sections. In the first section the input
waveform is demodulated, thus removing the carrier signal. As a result of the demodulator, the
dc offset and higher frequency terms (sidebands) are produced. The second section removes
these unwanted terms using filters, thus leaving only the modulating (flicker) signal remaining.
The second section also consists of filters that weight the modulating signal according to the
particular meters specifications. The last section usually consists of a statistical analysis of the
measured flicker.
US Flicker Standards
Currently, a standard method for measuring voltage flicker does not exist in the United States. In
Europe, however, the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) has developed standards
for measuring voltage flicker. The IEEE Task Force on Light Flicker is presently considering
modifications necessary to the IEC standards in order for it to be used in the United States.
Although the US does not currently have a standard for flicker measurement, there are IEEE
standards that address flicker. IEEE Stds 141-1993 and 519-1992 both contain flicker curves that
have been used as guides for utilities to evaluate the severity of flicker within their system. Both
flicker curves, Stds 141 [4] and 519 [5] are shown in Figure 6.

Figure 6. IEEE Stds 141 and 519 Flicker Curves

The IEEE Task Force on Flicker (P1453) is currently working on a Recommended Practice for
measuring voltage flicker and in February of 1998, the Task Force voted unanimously to embrace
and enhance the IEC Flickermeter measurement approach (discussed in next section). However,
in order for the IEC flicker meter to be adopted by IEEE, various modifications must be made
such as adjusting the weighting filters for 120V/60Hz lamps (instead of 230V/50Hz).
IEC Flicker Standards
The IEC method for flicker measurement is defined in the IEC Std. 1000-4-15 (formerly the IEC
868 [6]). The IEC flickermeter is the standard for measuring voltage flicker in Europe and other
countries currently adopting IEC standards. The IEC flicker meter consists of five blocks which
are shown in Figure 7.
Block 1
Input
Transformer

Block 2

Detector and
gain control

Block 3
Range
selector

dB
Demodulator
with
squaring
multiplier

Input voltage
adaptor

-3

V
%
V

.05

Signal generator
for calibration
checking

Block 4

35 Hz

8.8

Hz

0.5
1.0
2.0
5.0
10.0
20.0

Squaring
multiplier

Block 5

A/D
converter

1st
order
sliding
mean
filter

Sampling
rate
50 Hz

Statistical evaluation of flicker level

R.M.S.
meter

1 i i t

Square rooter

Output 1
half cycle r.m.s. voltage
indication

Output 2
weighted
voltage
fluctuation

Output
interfaces

Programming of short and long

observation periods
Squaring and
smoothing

Weighting filters

64 Level
classifier

Output 3
range
selection

Output 4
short time
integration

Output
and data
display
and
recording

Output 5
recording

Figure 7. Diagram of the IEC FlickerMeter

Block 1 is an input voltage adapter that scales the input half-cycle rms value to an internal
reference level. This allows flicker measurements to be made based upon a percent ratio rather
than dependent upon the input carrier voltage level.

Block 2 is simply a squaring demodulator which squares the input to separate the voltage
fluctuation (modulating signal) from the main voltage signal (carrier signal), thus simulating the
behavior of the incandescent lamp.
Block 3 consists of multiple filters that serve to filter out unwanted frequencies produced from
the demodulator and also to weight the input signal according to the incandescent lamp eye-brain
response. The basic transfer function for the weighting filter is shown in Eq. 1.
H (s) =

k1s
1 + s / 2

2
s + 2s + 1 (1 + s / 3 )(1 + s / 4 )
2

(1)

Block 4 consists of a squaring multiplier and sliding mean filter. The voltage signal is squared to
simulate the non-linear eye-brain response, while the sliding mean filter averages the signal to
simulate the short-term storage effect of the brain. The output of this block is considered to be
the instantaneous flicker level. A level of one on the output of this block corresponds to
perceptible flicker.
Block 5 consists of a statistical analysis of the instantaneous flicker level. The output of block 4
is divided into suitable classes, thus creating a histogram. A probability density function (PDF)
is created based upon each class and from this a cumulative distribution function (CDF) can be
formed.
Flicker level evaluation can be divided into two categories, short-term and long-term. Short-term
evaluation of flicker severity, PST, is based upon an observation period of 10 minutes. This
period is based upon assessing disturbances with a short duty-cycle or those that produce
continuous fluctuations. PST can be found using Eq. 2.
PST = 0.0314 P0.1 + 0.0525P1s + 0.0657 P3 s + 0.28 P10 s + 0.08 P50 s

(2)

where the percentages P0.1, P1s, P3s, P10s, P50s are the flicker levels that are exceeded 0.1, 1.0, 3.0,
10.0, and 50.0 percent of the time. These values are taken from the cumulative distribution curve
discussed previously. A PST of 1.0 on the output of block 5 represents the objectionable (or
irritable) limit of flicker.
For cases where the duty cycle is long or variable, such as in arc furnaces, or disturbances on the
system that are caused by multiple loads operating simultaneously, the need for the long-term
assessment of flicker severity arises. Therefore, the long-term flicker severity, PLT, is derived
from PST using Eq. 3.
N

PLT =

P
i =1

3
STi

(3)

where N is the number of PST readings. The number of PST readings (N) is determined by the
duty cycle of the flicker producing load. The purpose is to capture one duty cycle of the
fluctuating load. If the duty cycle is unknown, the recommended number of PST readings is 12
(two hours of measuring).
Conclusion
This primer has served as an introduction to flicker in general, with an emphasis on flicker
measurement. As evident in this text, flicker can be an extremely difficult power quality problem
to quantify and previous techniques for evaluating and measuring flicker have proven to
inadequate. Therefore, it is recommended that the SCC 21 P1547 Working Group follow a
similar approach to that of the IEEE Task Force on Flicker (P1453) by considering the use of the
recently adopted IEC method for flicker measurement.

References Cited
[1]

Owen, Edward L., Power Disturbance and Power Quality Light Flicker Voltage
Requirements, IEEE IAS Annual Meeting, pp. 2303-2309, Denver, Colorado, October
1994.

[2]

Xenis, C. P., Perine, W., Slide Rule Yields Lamp Flicker Data. Electrical World, Oct.
23, 1937.

[3]

Interharmonics in Power Systems, IEEE Interharmonic Task Force, Cigre 36.05/CIRED 2

CC02 Voltage Quality Working Group.

[4]

IEEE Standard 141-1993: Recommended Practice for Power Distribution in Industrial

Plants, IEEE, 1993.

[5]

IEEE Standard 519-1992: Recommended Practices and Requirements for Harmonic

Control in Electrical Power Systems, IEEE, 1993.

[6]

IEC Publication 868, "Flickermeter: Functional and Design Specifications," CEI, 1986.