Addressing Voltage Sag Issues in Semiconductor Manufacturing Facilities

The sensitivity of specialized manufacturing equipment and precision of process controls in the wafer fabrication process demands semiconductor facilities rely on a high level of power availability and quality. In the semiconductor industry, voltage sags (or voltage dips) are the most common type of power quality issues experienced. Voltage sags cause loads to de-energize, leading to production interruption, scrap of raw materials, and account for potentially millions of dollars in losses within the unprepared fabrication facility.

Studies mentioned below examine the costs associated with industrial process shutdowns due to voltage sags and brief source voltage interruptions. These studies quantify and document the extent of financial impact due to these types of power quality issues and their contribution to the semiconductor industry. The first study assessed the level of power quality issues in Malaysia, and specifically estimated the costs associated with the occurrence of voltage sags.