Successful and economical operation of small rural industries (e.g., g
rain, dairy, irrigation, pig, poultry, beef feedlots, etc.) is a funda
mental objective of society. However, when the performance and life ex
pectancy of industrial electronic and electrical equipment is signific
antly affected by power supply anomalies caused by ''polluting'' loads
at an industrial site and by utility normal operational activities, t
he economic benefits of this technology are quickly eradicated. This p
aper will present the results of a detailed power quality survey of 23
small rural industries sponsored by the Canadian Electrical Associati
on and provides a knowledge base on rural power quality and the possib
le origins of power supply anomalies. This paper will summarize the ma
jor power quality problems experienced at the various industrial sites
. The results of the survey will provide a basis for mitigating action
s by the utilities and their rural industrial customers to design and
operate their electrical systems to minimize the effects of power supp
ly anomalies.