IEEE Std 1459-2010 PDF

Full title and description

IEEE Standard Definitions for the Measurement of Electric Power Quantities Under Sinusoidal, Nonsinusoidal, Balanced, or Unbalanced Conditions. This standard provides standardized definitions, notations, and measurement formulas for active, reactive, apparent and related power quantities in single‑phase and polyphase electrical systems subject to sinusoidal or nonsinusoidal waveforms and to balanced or unbalanced conditions.

Abstract

Provides formal definitions and measurement expressions for electric power quantities (active, reactive, apparent and derived terms) applicable to sinusoidal and nonsinusoidal, balanced and unbalanced systems. The standard separates fundamental and harmonic power contributions, defines effective apparent power for three‑phase systems, and identifies nonfundamental power components to enable consistent measurement and comparison across instruments and systems.

General information

• Status: Inactive — Inactive‑Reserved (original 2010 standard; later revised).
• Publication date: 19 March 2010.
• Publisher: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).
• ICS / categories: Metrology and measurement; measurement of electrical and magnetic quantities (examples: 01.040.17; 17.220.20).
• Edition / version: IEEE Std 1459‑2010 (revision of IEEE Std 1459‑2000); subsequently superseded by IEEE Std 1459‑2025.
• Number of pages: 50 pages (PDF/printed product listing).

Scope

Defines measurement quantities and operational formulas to quantify power flow and nonactive components in electrical systems for both single‑phase and multi‑phase circuits, covering sinusoidal and nonsinusoidal waveforms and balanced or unbalanced conditions. The scope emphasizes separation of fundamental (power‑frequency) contributions from harmonic/nonfundamental contributions and provides notation, measurement observation period guidance, and informative annexes to assist implementation.

Key topics and requirements

• Formal definitions of active (real), reactive, apparent and nonactive power for sinusoidal and nonsinusoidal conditions.
• Separation of fundamental (power‑frequency, e.g., 50/60 Hz) and harmonic (nonfundamental) power terms, including distinct notation for each.
• Definition of effective apparent power (Se) for three‑phase systems and nonfundamental apparent power (SN) to quantify harmonic contribution.
• Identification of current‑distortion and voltage‑distortion power components and guidance on measurement observation periods and combining Fourier and sequence decompositions.
• Informative annexes explaining omissions, measurement examples, and implementation notes (e.g., about filtering, sequence decomposition).

Typical use and users

Used by utilities, meter and instrument manufacturers, testing and metrology laboratories, power systems engineers, and researchers to: (1) ensure consistent definitions for billing/energy accounting under nonideal waveforms; (2) design and validate power‑measurement instruments and algorithms; and (3) support research and power‑quality assessment where separation of harmonic and fundamental contributions is required.

Related standards

Related documents include the earlier IEEE Std 1459‑2000 (previous edition) and the later revision IEEE Std 1459‑2025 (superseding edition). Practitioners often consult complementary power‑quality and metrology standards (for example, national/regional IEC standards for power‑quality and meter testing) when implementing measurements specified in 1459.

Keywords

power measurement; active power; reactive power; apparent power; nonsinusoidal; harmonic power; unbalanced systems; effective apparent power; power definitions; power quality.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: IEEE Std 1459‑2010 is the IEEE standard that defines formulas, notations and measurement quantities for electric power under sinusoidal, nonsinusoidal, balanced and unbalanced conditions, intended to provide consistent and unambiguous definitions for instruments and analyses.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers definitions and operational formulas for active, reactive, apparent and nonfundamental power components; separation of fundamental and harmonic contributions; effective apparent power for three‑phase systems; and informative annexes on measurement practice.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Utilities, meter manufacturers, testing laboratories, standards engineers, and researchers involved in power measurement and power‑quality assessment.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: IEEE Std 1459‑2010 was published on 19 March 2010 and is listed as Inactive‑Reserved; it has been revised and is superseded by IEEE Std 1459‑2025. The 2010 document remains a historical/reference edition but users should consult the 2025 revision for the latest requirements.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is part of a sequence of IEEE standards defining power measurement quantities (notably IEEE Std 1459‑2000, 1459‑2010, and the later 1459‑2025 revision). It is maintained by the IEEE Power and Energy Society standards committees focused on power‑system instrumentation and measurements.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Active power, reactive power, apparent power, harmonic power, nonsinusoidal, unbalanced, effective apparent power, power definitions, power measurement.