Which term describes a short-duration voltage increase lasting less than a cycle?

Which term describes a short-duration voltage increase lasting less than a cycle?

• A. Swell
• B. Sag
• C. Ramp
• D. Outage

Answer: (A)

In power quality terms, a brief rise in voltage above the normal level is called a swell. The defining feature is an overvoltage that lasts only a short time and then returns to normal, so even if it lasts for less than one cycle, it fits this category. This is different from a sag, which is a brief drop in voltage; a ramp, which is a gradual change in voltage over time; and an outage, which is a complete loss of voltage. So the essence is an overvoltage occurring briefly, which is why swell is the best description.

In power quality terms, a brief rise in voltage above the normal level is called a swell. The defining feature is an overvoltage that lasts only a short time and then returns to normal, so even if it lasts for less than one cycle, it fits this category. This is different from a sag, which is a brief drop in voltage; a ramp, which is a gradual change in voltage over time; and an outage, which is a complete loss of voltage. So the essence is an overvoltage occurring briefly, which is why swell is the best description.