PQI Company HIstory

PQI clients and customers benefit from over 40 years of engineering and technical hands-on field experience. With the exception of Antarctica, we have completed major assignments on every continent.

With its technical and manufacturing know-how, PQI was first to develop and commercialize a number of leading-edge technologies and products. These devices, some of which are listed here, provide cost-effective solutions to various power system problems.

2009 – First to co-develop a Transformer Excitation and Impedance Loss Measurement Instrument based on the earlier Voltage and Current Differential, Loss Measurement Method Instrument that limits the efficiency calculation error to ±0.033% when measuring a transformer’s excitation and impedance losses under any linear or nonlinear load condition.

2003 – First to use a sophisticated computer program that is in compliance with IEEE Std. C57. 110-1998, allowing our engineers to recalculate any transformer’s linear losses and efficiency into its nonlinear losses and efficiency, which is based on a specific harmonic current profile.

The PQI Calculator™ will compare the performance of any two transformers and calculate a payback and return on investment.

2003 – First to use the Voltage and Current Differential, Loss Measurement Method Instrument that limits the efficiency calculation error to ±0.033%, when measuring a transformer’s excitation and impedance losses under any linear or nonlinear load condition.

2003 – First to develop a Technology Demonstration Vehicle that demonstrates all harmonic-related power quality issues and compares the accuracy of the Power-In – Power-Out, Loss Measurement Method and the Voltage and Current Differential, Loss Measurement Method.

2001 – First complete line of Harmonic Filtering Transformers that exceed EPA – Energy Star^® linear load efficiency requirements under nonlinear load conditions.

PQI HarMitigator™ products, which include harmonic mitigating power, distribution and drive isolation transformers, are approximately 2% more efficient than any competing harmonic mitigating transformers and up to 15% more efficient than typical conventional or K-Rated transformers under severe nonlinear loading.

2001 – First computed program that will calculate a solution for harmonic current, penalty loss and power cost reductions, and system performance and power quality improvement.

The PQI Solution™ includes the consulting services of a professional engineer specialist who will provide guidance in the selection and application of PQI’s technically advanced, ultra-efficient e-Rated^® products. This service is offered on a no-fee basis to system designers. If our recommendations are fully implemented, PQI will guarantee compliance with the power quality requirements of IEEE Std 519-1992 – IEEE Recommended Practices and Requirements for Harmonic Control in Electrical Power Systems. The proper selection of products and application of our engineered solution will result in the most cost-effective optimization of system and load efficiency and compatibility. Implementation of our recommendations will also result in an increase in our standard warranty from 10 years to 20 years.

2000 – First electromagnetic Zero-Sequence Harmonic Filter that shunts zero-sequence harmonic currents at the load-end of a branch circuit.

Mini-Z™ filters provide an alternative to de-rating conventional distribution transformers, applying K-Rated distribution transformers, increasing shared neutral conductors, or configuring branch circuits with separate neutral conductors, in an environment that is rich with zero-sequence harmonic currents.

1996 – First commercial sale of Medium Voltage Class Sub-Cycle Static Voltage Regulator Transformers for application in a utility’s distribution system.

PQI TransRegulator™ products mitigate the voltage sags that result from fault-clearing events on a utility’s transmission or distribution systems.

1995 – First commercial sale of Medium Voltage Class Sub-Cycle Static Transfer Switches for application in a utility’s distribution system.

PQI TransSwitch™ products provide uninterruptible premium power to a utility customer’s entire facility.

1991 – First complete line of Harmonic Filters and Harmonic Mitigating Transformers that shunt or cancel zero-sequence harmonic currents and/or cancel positive- and negative-sequence harmonic currents.

PQI HarMitigator™ products, which include harmonic mitigating power, distribution and drive isolation transformers, reactors, and filters, provide the means to implement The PQI Solution™.

1990 – First to develop and apply Harmonic Mitigating Transformers that shunt zero-sequence harmonic currents with ultra-low zero-sequence impedance windings and cancel positive- and negative-sequence harmonic currents.

1986 – First electromagnetic Zero-Sequence Harmonic Filters that shunt zero-sequence harmonic currents from a three-phase, four-wire sub-system.

I0Filter™ products provide an alternative to de-rating conventional distribution transformers, applying K-Rated distribution transformers or increasing feeder circuits’ neutral conductors, in an environment that is rich with zero-sequence harmonic currents.

1982 – First online Partial Discharge Analyzers that monitor the condition of stator winding insulation systems in hydroelectric generators.

PDA-H^® technology remains the world standard for failure avoidance and maintenance optimization. This technology is now used on turbo-alternators and medium voltage class motors.

e-Rated^® is a registered trademark of Power Quality International, LLC