IEEE P1159.3 PQDIF Working Group
Power Quality Data Interchange Format

IEEE Std 1159.3-2019 was published on 2019 May 1 and is valid until 2029. This is IEEE’s recommended practice for exchanging data between monitors and software using IEEE Power Quality Data Interchange Format (PQDIF). A revision project was begun by IEEE-SA in December 2020 under the project P1159.3, which has an anticipated completion date of December 2024.

IEEE Std 1159.3-2003 provided the industry with the first specification for PQDIF and was valid for five years. It was reaffirmed in 2009.

Between 2014 and 2018, the IEEE P1159.3 Task Force completed the following changes to IEEE 1159.3:

  • Changed the title to “Recommended Practice for Power Quality Data Interchange Format (PQDIF)”
  • Completed editorial changes and corrections to the 2003 edition of IEEE 1159.3
  • Added new ID values for existing PQDIF tags in normative Annex B
  • Added new tags and ID values in normative Annex B
  • Added new quantity types in normative Annex B
  • Added examples for storing event lists of voltage sags, transients, and rapid voltage change (RVC) events
  • Updated Annex C.1, which specifies an INI file method for describing data source name, PQDIF location, and monitor properties
  • Added an informative Annex C.2, which specifies an XML directory for PQDIF files that can be downloaded from a remote power quality monitor or remote file server
  • Added an informative Annex D on the representation of PQDIF in XML
  • Added an informative Annex E on PQDIF and its relationship to IEEE C37.111 COMTRADE
  • Added an informative Annex F on PQDIF and its relationship to IEC 61850

The physical structure of PQDIF remains unchanged between IEEE Std 1159.3-2003 (2008) and IEEE Std 1159.3-2019, making PQDIF both backward and forwards compatible. Changes to the logical structure to support new capability are in the form of additional tag and ID values. This allows software that reads PQDIF to maintain compatibility by simply ignoring unrecognized tag and ID values.

IEEE Std 1159.3-2019 is available for purchase from the IEEE Standards website.

The task force normally meets with the working groups and task forces of the IEEE Power Quality Subcommittee. See the PQ Subcommittee’s next Meeting Schedule for more information.