IEEE 1159-1995

IEEE 1159-1995 is the recommended practice for monitoring electric power quality, providing guidance for identifying and observing disturbances in power systems. It is relevant to power, energy, and industry applications where voltage variations, interruptions, and related events can affect equipment performance and process continuity. This technical document helps users apply a consistent approach to power-quality monitoring, which can support better diagnosis, comparison of measurements, and informed decisions in electrical operations and maintenance.

Overview of IEEE 1159-1995

IEEE 1159-1995 sets out a practical framework for monitoring electric power quality in a way that is useful for engineers, facility teams, and utility personnel. The standard focuses on how power quality phenomena are observed and characterized, helping create more consistent reporting and analysis of electrical disturbances. As a superseded standard, it remains relevant as a reference point for understanding established monitoring practices in power systems and industrial electrical environments.

Typical use cases

This standard is commonly used when evaluating the performance of electrical distribution systems, industrial plants, and sensitive equipment that may be affected by power disturbances. It can support monitoring programs for voltage sags, interruptions, transients, and other quality events that influence operations in power, energy, and industrial settings. IEEE 1159-1995 is also useful for teams comparing event data across sites or establishing a common basis for power-quality investigations and troubleshooting.

Why it matters

Clear power-quality monitoring helps reduce uncertainty when electrical problems affect production, uptime, or equipment behavior. IEEE 1159-1995 matters because it supports more consistent data collection and interpretation, which can improve maintenance planning, fault analysis, and procurement decisions for monitoring equipment. For organizations that need dependable electrical performance, using a recognized reference for monitoring practice can improve consistency and lower the risk of misdiagnosing disturbances or overlooking recurring issues.

• Electric power quality monitoring guidance
• Disturbance observation and characterization
• Industrial and utility electrical systems
• Reference for consistent event reporting
• Superseded IEEE recommended practice