TECHNICAL INSIGHTS 11/03/2025

Power Quality: When the Problem Is Not a Power Outage

Continuity of electrical supply is only one aspect of a facility’s reliability. Equally important is the quality of the electrical power reaching the equipment. A business may experience no complete outages and still face unexplained trips, overheating, automation malfunctions or problems with electronic equipment.

Not all disturbances are the same

Power quality problems include different electrical phenomena: harmonics, voltage sags or swells, transients, imbalance, voltage fluctuations and low power factor. Their significance depends on the installation and the loads it serves.

Modern electronic equipment, variable frequency drives, rectifiers, servers and other non-linear loads can contribute to harmonic generation and can also be affected by grid disturbances.

Measure first, then select the solution

The same symptom does not necessarily lead to the same technical solution. An unwanted machine shutdown may be related to a voltage sag, harmonic distortion, resonance, overload or another cause. For this reason, a mature approach to Power Quality begins with recording and analysing the actual electrical conditions of the installation.

There is no single device that solves every power quality problem. Depending on the diagnosis, a different approach may be required: an active harmonic filter, reactive power compensation, voltage stabilisation, a UPS or a combination of technologies.

Power Quality analysis
Power Quality measurement and mitigation

When measurement reveals the actual problem

The same approach has been applied in an ACE Power Electronics project for a plastics manufacturing facility. Before the intervention, more than 68,000 resonance events had been recorded, while total harmonic current distortion, THDi, was at 9–12%, with peaks of 15%.

Following the study and the installation of an active harmonic filter and compensation system, measurements showed THDi at 2.5%, while the previous resonance events were no longer recorded during system operation.

The significance of this example is not that an active filter is the answer to every power quality problem, but that it demonstrates the correct sequence: measurement, diagnosis, technical solution, new measurement and verification of the result.

When the investment targets the actual cause of the problem

The value of a Power Quality assessment is that a recurring electrical problem is no longer addressed on the basis of assumptions. Measurement can identify which disturbance is present, where it occurs and what impact it has on equipment and facility operation.

The investment can therefore be directed at the actual cause of the problem, and the result can subsequently be verified through new measurements.

Case Studies & Insights

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Press Releases

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28/9/2026

Partnership with ION

Partnership with ION
ACE Power Electronics has successfully completed the supply and technical installation of Riello UPS uninterruptible power supply systems at ION’s new wafer production plant in Arta, ensuring continuous and uninterrupted operation of the production process. More specifically, as part of the project, ACE Power Electronics installed UPS systems with a total capacity of 220 kVA, delivering high performance, increased reliability and maximum availability even under demanding industrial operating conditions. The equipment incorporates On Line double-conversion technology, energy efficiency of up to 96.5%, high overload capability, zero impact on the grid, advanced communication capabilities and easy monitoring through modern displays and status indicators. As Dimitris Vlachos, General Manager of ACE, stated: “The completion of this project at ION’s new factory highlights ACE Power Electronics’ expertise and reliability in critical industrial installations. We are proud to have been providing uninterruptible power solutions for 35 years, helping ensure uninterrupted production and operational security for our industrial customers.”
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29/9/2026

Partnership with ATHINAION Cinemas

Partnership with ATHINAION Cinemas
ACE Power Electronics has successfully completed the supply and installation of a Riello Sentryum Active 20 kVA uninterruptible power supply (UPS) system at ATHINAION Cinemas, strengthening the reliability and availability of the facilities’ critical electrical and technological infrastructure. In a modern cinema environment, the continuous operation of projection systems, network infrastructure, automation systems and other supporting applications is a fundamental requirement for uninterrupted customer service and the smooth running of screenings. Protection against interruptions or fluctuations in the electrical power supply is critical to ensuring the operational continuity of the facilities. The installed solution is based on the Riello Sentryum Active 20 kVA (S3T 20 ACT), an advanced online double-conversion UPS designed for applications requiring high power quality, maximum reliability and increased energy efficiency. The system ensures stable and uninterrupted power supply, protecting sensitive equipment from outages, voltage sags and electrical disturbances. ACE Power Electronics was responsible for the supply, technical installation support and commissioning of the system, ensuring its smooth integration into the cinemas’ existing infrastructure. As Dimitris Vlachos, General Manager of ACE Power Electronics, stated: “The uninterrupted operation of critical systems is a key factor in delivering high-quality services and ensuring the best possible visitor experience. Through our partnership with ATHINAION Cinemas, we contribute to strengthening the reliability of their infrastructure by providing a modern power protection solution that meets the requirements of their day-to-day operations.”
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Award at the 2nd ICAP CRIF ESG Summit

Award at the 2nd ICAP CRIF ESG Summit
ACE Power Electronics received an award at the 2nd ESG Summit organised by ICAP CRIF, one of the significant events focusing on sustainable development and the integration of ESG principles into corporate strategy. More specifically, the award follows the company’s recent achievement of receiving an “A – High” ESG rating from ICAP CRIF under the Synesgy methodology. The assessment confirms the company’s consistent commitment to Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) principles and reflects its overall strategy for sustainable growth, transparency and responsible operations, as well as its continuous investment in policies and systems that strengthen corporate governance and long-term value. ACE Power Electronics was represented at the 2nd ESG Summit by Christos Raftopoulos, Member of the company’s Board of Directors, and Dimitris Vlachos, General Manager. The award was accepted on behalf of ACE by Christos Raftopoulos, who stated: “ACE Power Electronics’ participation and recognition at the ESG Summit further strengthen its position as a reliable partner in the field of dependable energy solutions and as an organisation that meaningfully integrates sustainability principles into its operations and strategy.”
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