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Oscillation

A repetitive motion that can be either undamped, positively damped, or negatively damped.

Definition by PowerWorld

Source: 1

An oscillation is just a repetitive motion that can be either undamped, positively damped (decaying with time), or negatively damped (growing with time).

Types of oscillations include:

  • Transients: Usually high frequency and highly damped
  • Local plant: Usually from 1 to 5 Hz
  • Inter-area oscillations: From 0.15 to 1 Hz
  • Slower dynamics: Such as AGC, less than 0.15 Hz
  • Subsynchronous resonance: 10 to 50 Hz (less than synchronous)

In the context of power systems, Oscillation is an umbrella term that includes resonance.

Last modified: 2026-01-18

Related: resonance-stability · subsynchronous-resonance · subsynchronous-oscillation

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  1. PowerWorld (2020). Oscillations and Power System Stabilizers. https://www.powerworld.com/files/D11Stabilizers.pdf ↩