Energy and Power / Power Quality

Essential fundamentals of harmonics distortion for future power quality experts

By Edvard December, 30th 2019

When loads were linear only…

If you take a look at the past, you must notice that power system was much cleaner and straightforward. Most loads were
primarily linear in nature. Linear loads draw the full sine wave of electric current at its 50 or 60 cycle (Hz) fundamental
frequency. The switching of such loads was smooth, and harmonics disease didn’t spread yet.

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 Harmonics Distortion

Well, that has changed a lot in the last fifteen years. Power quality has got a significant meaning. Nowadays, harmonics
distortion is a regular occurrence in the power system. To be able to better understand the problem of harmonic-distorted
networks in the operation of various electrical devices, we will try to explain the real issues and briefly present the solutions.

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 It’s important to understand that measurements to obtain a detailed evaluation of the on site-situation are essential for the
planning of remedial measures for the reduction of perturbations (power quality distortions).

Before diving into details, I would like to add that one of the most promising and highly paid jobs in the electrical engineering
industry is undoubtedly an expert in power quality.

Table of contents:

1. Harmonics and Nonlinear Loads

2. Harmonic Issues
3. Total Harmonic Distortion
4. Harmonic Solutions
1. Drives and rectifiers (including three-phase UPS loads)
2. Computers/switch-mode power supplies
3. Fluorescent lighting
4. Welding/arcing loads
5. System solutions

1. Harmonics and Nonlinear Loads

Figure 1 shows nice balance single-phase, linear loads. As the figure shows, little or no current flows in the neutral conductor
when the loads are linear and balanced.

The advent of nonlinear electronic loads, where the AC voltage is converted to a DC voltage, altered the way power was
traditionally drawn from a normal AC sine wave. During the AC to DC conversion, power electronic devices are switched on
during a fraction of each 1/2 cycle causing voltage and current to be drawn in pulses to obtain the required DC output.

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 This deviation of voltage and current from the normal sine wave results in harmonics.

It is important to note that the current distortion caused by loads such as rectifiers or switch mode power supplies
causes the voltage distortion. That voltage distortion is caused by distorted currents flowing through an impedance.

The amount of voltage distortion depends on:

1. System impedance
2. Amount of distorted current

Devices that can cause harmonic disturbances include rectifiers, thrusters and switching power supplies, all of which are
nonlinear. Further, the proliferation of electronic equipment such as computers, UPS systems, variable speed drives,
programmable logic controllers (PLCs), and the like: nonlinear loads have become a significant part of many installations.

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 Figure 1 – Balanced Neutral Current Equals Zero

Other types of harmonic-producing loads include arcing devices (such as arc furnaces, welders and fluorescent lighting).

Nonlinear load currents vary widely from a sinusoidal wave shape; often they are discontinuous pulses. This means that
nonlinear loads are extremely high in harmonic content.

Triplen harmonics are the 3rd, 9th, 15th,… harmonics. Further, triplen harmonics are the most damaging to an electrical
system because these harmonics on the A-phase, B-phase and C-phase are in sequence with each other. Meaning, the
triplen harmonics present on the three phases add together in the neutral, as shown in Figure 2, rather than cancel each
other out, as shown in Figure 1.

Odd non-triplen harmonics are classified as “positive sequence” or “negative sequence” and are the 1st, 5th, 7th, 11th,
13th, etc.

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 Figure 2 – Single-Phase Loads with Triplen Harmonics

In general, as the order of a harmonic gets higher, its amplitude becomes smaller as a percentage of the fundamental
frequency.

Go back to Table of Contents ↑

2. Harmonic Issues
Harmonic currents may cause system losses that over burden the distribution system. This electrical overloading may
contribute to preventing an existing electrical distribution system from serving additional future loads.

In general, harmonics present on a distribution system can have the following detrimental effects:

1. Overheating of transformers and rotating equipment

2. Increased hysteresis losses
3. Decreased kVA capacity
4. Overloading of neutral
5. Unacceptable neutral-to-ground voltages
6. Distorted voltage and current waveforms
7. Failed capacitor banks
8. Breakers and fuses tripping
9. Double sized neutrals to defy the negative effects of triplen harmonics

In transformers, generators and uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) systems, harmonics cause overheating and failure at
loads below their ratings because the harmonic currents cause greater heating than standard 60 Hz current. This results
from increased eddy current losses, hysteresis losses in the iron cores, and conductor skin effects of the windings.

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 In addition, the harmonic currents acting on the impedance of the source cause harmonics in the source voltage, which is
then applied to other loads such as motors, causing them to overheat.

The harmonics also complicate the application of capacitors for power factor correction. If, at a given harmonic
frequency, the capacitive impedance equals the system reactive impedance, the harmonic voltage and current can
reach dangerous magnitudes

At the same time, the harmonics create problems in the application of power factor correction capacitors, they lower the
actual power factor.

The rotating meters used by the utilities for watt-hour and various measurements do not detect the distortion component
caused by the harmonics. Rectifiers with diode front ends and large DC side capacitor banks have displacement power factor
of 90% to 95%.

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 Figure 3 – The most typical harmonic waveforms (1st – fundamental, 2nd, 3rd and 4th) – photo credit: Greg Poole; Industrial Tests,
Inc., Rocklin, CA, USA

More recent electronic meters are capable of metering the true kVA hours taken by the circuit.

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 Single-phase power supplies for computer and fixture ballasts are rich in third harmonics and their odd multiples. Even with
the phase currents perfectly balanced, the harmonic currents in the neutral can total 173% of the phase current. This has
resulted in overheated neutrals.

The Information Technology Industry Council (ITIC) recommends that neutrals in the supply to electronic equipment be
oversized to at least 173% of the ampacity of the phase conductors to prevent problems. ITIC also recommends derating
transformers, loading them to no more than 50% to 70% of their nameplate kVA, based on a rule-of-thumb calculation, to
compensate for harmonic heating effects.

In spite of all the concerns they cause, nonlinear loads will continue to
increase. Therefore, the systems that supply them will have to be designed so that
their adverse effects are greatly reduced.

Table 1 shows the typical harmonic orders from a variety of harmonic generating sources.

Table 1 – Source and Typical Harmonics

Source Typical Harmonics*

6-pulse rectifier 5, 7, 11, 13, 17, 19…
12-pulse rectifier 11, 13, 23, 25…
18-pulse rectifier 17, 19, 35, 37…
Switch-mode power supply 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13…
Fluorescent lights 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13…
Arcing devices 2, 3, 4, 5, 7…

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 Transformer energization 2, 3, 4

* Generally, magnitude decreases as harmonic order increases.

Go back to Table of Contents ↑

3. Total Harmonic Distortion

Standard IEEE 519 indicates the limits of current distortion allowed at the PCC (Point of Common Coupling) point on the
system where the current distortion is calculated. This standard is more focused on harmonic limits on the system over time.
It now clearly indicates that the PCC is the point of connection to the utility.

The standard now primarily addresses the harmonic limits of the supply voltage from the utility or cogenerators.

Table 2 – Low-Voltage System Classification and Distortion Limits for 480 V Systems

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 Class C AN DF

Special application* 10 16,400 3%

General system 5 22,800 5%
Dedicated system 5 36,500 10%

* Special systems are those where the rate of change of voltage of the notch might mistrigger an event.

AN is a measurement of notch characteristics measured in volt-microseconds,

C is the impedance ratio of total impedance to impedance at common point in system.
DF is distortion factor.

Table 3 – Utility or Cogenerator Supply Voltage Harmonic Limits

Voltage Range 2.3-69 kV 69-138 kV >138 kV

Maximum individual harmonic 3.0% 1.5% 1.0%
Total harmonic distortion 5.0% 2.5% 1.5%

Percentages are (Vh/V1)×100 for each harmonic and:

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 It is important for the system designer to know the harmonic content of the utility’s supply voltage because it will affect the
harmonic distortion of the system.

Table 4 – Current Distortion Limits for General Distribution Systems (120–69,000 V)

Maximum Harmonic Current Distortion in Percent of IL

Individual Harmonic Order (Odd Harmonics)

ISC/IL <11 11≤h<17 17≤h<23 23≤h<35 35≤h TDD

<20* 4 2 1.5 0.6 0.3 5

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 20<50 7 3.5 2.5 1.0 0.5 8
50<100 10 4.5 4.0 1.5 0.7 12
100<1000 12 5.5 5.0 2.0 1 15
>1000 15 7 6.0 2.5 1.4 20

* All power generation equipment is limited to these values of current distortion, regardless of actual ISC/IL where:

ISC = Maximum short-circuit current at PCC.

IL = Maximum demand load current (fundamental frequency component) at PCC.
TDD = Total Demand Distortion.

Even harmonics are limited to 25% of the odd harmonic limits above. Current distortions that result in a DC offset, e.g., half-
wave converters, are not allowed.

When evaluating current distortion, it is important to understand the difference between THD (Total Harmonic Distortion)
and TDD (Total Demand Distortion).

THD is the measured distortion on the actual magnitude of current flowing at a given instant. This could be referred
to as a “sine wave quality factor” as it is a measure of the amount of distortion at that given time, for that given
magnitude of current. It can be measured with a simple harmonic current metering device.

Current THD is not utilized anywhere in the IEEE 519 standard. Instead, the IEEE 519 standard sets limits based on TDD, or
Total Demand Distortion. TDD is a calculated value based on the amount of harmonic distortion related to the full load
capacity of the electrical system. The formula for calculating TDD is as follows:

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 The numerator of the formula is the square root of the sum of the current harmonics squared. This value is divided by IL,
which is the full load capacity of the system. From this, you can see that even heavily distorted currents (i.e., high current
THD) that are only a small fraction of the capacity of the system will result in a low TDD.

Go back to Table of Contents ↑

4. Harmonic Solutions

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 In spite of all the concerns nonlinear loads cause, these loads will continue to increase. Therefore, the application of
nonlinear loads such as variable frequency drives (VFDs) and the systems that supply them will require further scrutiny by
the design professional. The use of “Clean Power” multi-pulse VFDs has become a common approach so adverse harmonic
effects are greatly reduced.

Tables below depicts many harmonic solutions along with their advantages and disadvantages.

Drives and recti ers (includes three-phase UPS loads)

Table 5 – Harmonic solutions for drives and rectifiers (incl. 3-phase UPS loads)

Solutions Advantages Disadvantages

Line reactors Inexpensive May require additional compensation
For 6-pulse standard drive/rectifier, can
reduce harmonic current distortion from 80%
down to about 35–40%

K-rated/drive isolation Offers series reactance (similar to line No advantage over reactors for reducing
transformer reactors) and provides isolation for some harmonics unless in pairs for shifting
transients phases

DC choke Slightly better than AC line reactors for 5th Not always an option for drives
and 7th harmonics Less protection for input semiconductors

12-pulse convertor 85% reduction versus standard 6-pulse Cost difference approaches 18-pulse drive
drives and blocking filters, which guarantee IEEE

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 519 compliance

Harmonic mitigating Substantial (50–80%) reduction in Harmonic cancellation highly dependent on

transformers/phase harmonics when used in tandem load balance
shifting Must have even multiples of matched loads

Tuned filters Bus connected-accommodates load diversity Requires allocation analysis

Provides PF correction Sized only to the requirements of that
system; must be resized if system changes

Broadband filters Makes 6-pulse into the equivalent of 18- Higher cost
pulse Requires one filter per drive

18-pulse converter Excellent harmonic control for drives above High cost
100 hp
IEEE 519 compliant
No issues when run from generator sources

Active filters Handles load/harmonic diversity High cost

Complete solution up to 50th harmonic

Active front end Excellent harmonic control High cost

Four quadrant (regen) capability High complexity
Can have system stability issues when run
from generator source

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 Go back to Table of Contents ↑

Computers/switch-mode power supplies

Table 6 – Harmonic solutions for computers/switch-mode power supplies

Solutions Advantages Disadvantages

Neutral blocking filter Eliminates the 3rd harmonic from load High cost
Relieves system capacity May increase voltage distortion
Possible energy savings

Harmonic mitigating 3rd harmonic recalculated back to the load Requires fully rated circuits and oversized
transformers When used as phase-shifted transformers, neutrals to the loads
reduces other harmonics
Reduces voltage “flat-topping”

Oversized Tolerate harmonics rather than correct Upstream and downstream equipment fully
neutral/derated Typically least expensive rated for harmonics
transformer
K-rated transformer Tolerate harmonics rather than correct Does not reduce system harmonics

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Fluorescent lighting
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 Table 7 – Harmonic solutions for fluorescent lighting

Solutions Advantages Disadvantages

Harmonic mitigating 3rd harmonic recalculated back to the load Requires fully rated circuits and oversized
transformers When used as phase-shifted transformers, neutrals to the loads
reduces other harmonics
Reduces voltage “flat-topping”

K-rated transformer Tolerate harmonics rather than correct them Does not reduce system harmonics

Low distortion ballasts Reduce harmonics at the source Additional cost and typically more expensive
than “system” solutions

Go back to Table of Contents ↑

Welding/arcing loads

Table 8 – Harmonic solutions for welding/arcing loads

Solutions Advantages Disadvantages

Active filters Fast response and broadband harmonic High cost
correction
Reduces voltage flicker

Tuned filters SCR controlled tuned filters simulates an SCR controlled units are high cost but fixed
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 active filter response filters are reasonable

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System solutions

Table 9 – Harmonic system solutions

Solutions Advantages Disadvantages

Tuned filters Provides PF correction System analysis required to verify
Lower cost compared to other systems application. Must be resized if system
changes

Harmonic mitigating Excellent choice for new design or upgrade No PF correction benefit
transformers
Active filters Ideal solution and handles system diversity Highest cost

Go back to Table of Contents ↑

Source: Power Distribution Systems by Eaton

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MORE INFORMATION

Edvard Csanyi

Electrical engineer, programmer and founder of EEP. Highly specialized for design of LV/MV
switchgears and LV high power busbar trunking (<6300A) in power substations, commercial buildings
and industry facilities. Professional in AutoCAD programming.

8 Comments

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 Jesus Veliz
APR 27, 2020

Muy buena informacion….sera que en el mantenimiento de sistemas electricos…puedo tomar en cuenta los
Armonicos??? Como??

Reply

Dan Bullard
APR 06, 2020

Table 1 is interesting, but based on observation, not on theory. Do you know why some harmonics are more
prominent than others? It’s due to the ANGLE the incoming sine wave was at when it hit the distortion in
question. That’s Bullard Laws of Harmonics #2. For example, the harmonic signature for a sine wave being
clipped on the peaks is far different from a sine wave distorted by a zero crossing anomaly. They don’t look
anything alike, and it’s super easy to spot the difference. Also, your note in Table 1 is fully explained in my
article on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/why-do-harmonics-almost-always-roll-off-dan-bullard/

Reply

Eko Priyono
JAN 16, 2020

Thank you for explanation about THD

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 Reply

Foluso Omolewa
JAN 06, 2020

Thanks for the simple way the write up was presented.

Reply

Deepika
JAN 02, 2020

Thank you for this well structured article with lucid explanation.

Reply

Gonzalo
JAN 02, 2020

Very nice article. Just one comment. IL is defined as the full load capacity of the electrical system in the
article but it should be stated that IL is the “full load capacity at 60 Hz of the electrical system”. IL as defined
by IEEE 519 is a 60 Hz full load current and doest not include harmonics.

Reply

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 Abdul Rahman
DEC 31, 2019

Very well structured and easy to understand, a comprehensive explanation of PQ👍.

Reply

Devashish Shukla
DEC 30, 2019

Knowledge full article, I gained more knowledge by these types of electrical engineering articles. I would like
to inform you that please continue writing these types of articles.

Thanks

Reply

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