Just about everyone recognizes a blackout. But, often power problems are not so obvious. The evidence could be quirky and inconvenient system behavior, not directly attributable to a particular power event. Computers and other sensitive electronics are designed to receive power within a certain voltage range typically 103 to 132 volts. Power problems are electrical occurrences outside this range.
Electrical noise is distortion of the voltage wave form, whether at a high or low level.
Too much distortion results in equipment not working properly. It may also cause loads to run hot. Unless this issue is urgently addressed, America's electric infrastructure will be seriously challenged to keep up with the demands of the information age. . . Voltage sags and surges that may not affect a light bulb can cause computers to crash and can bring entire production processes or financial centers to a standstill. This is compounded by the high variability from site to site, and the extreme weather conditions in some regions.