IMPLEMENTATION OF DIFFERENT PASSIVE AND ACTIVE

FILTERS FOR HARMONIC REDUCTION IN INDUSTRIAL

DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
1
SHAHAD. ALYOUSIF, UMMI SURAYA BINTI SHAHARUDDIN, MOHAMMAD ALI. TOFIGH
Faculty of Information Science and Engineering, Management & Science University, Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia

[email protected], [email protected], [email protected].

ABSTRACT

This study discussed and investigates the installation effects of different filter types (passive and active) to
reduce the harmonic current and generation of voltage by nonlinear load distribution in the power system of
industry. The mitigation of harmonic curried out with the use of 13-bus bar test system simulated in
PSCAD/EMTDC power simulation software. These filters installed indifferent places (busses) in the system
to measure the THD for voltage and current in different busses. The paper discusses also the effect of active
filter on harmonics and overcoming the drawbacks of passive filter through better results for THD values for
both voltage and current.

Keywords: Harmonic distortion, passive filters, shunts active filters, Double tuned filter.

1. INTRODUCTION problems of harmonic it has been a serious issue

of concern to engineering expert. The general
More harmonic mitigation approaches are now method for reducing harmonic effects in power
available comprising of active and passive systems is by harmonic filtering to avoid
methods, and the most appropriate selection of harmonic from getting into the other systems.
techniques for a specific case can be an intricate There are essentially two filter types :
process of making decision. The functionality of
some of these methods mainly depends on the Through the use of passive filters could suppress
conditions of the system, whereas some need the unwanted harmonic currents by using
comprehensive system analysis to avoid problems sequence of impedance to wedge and divert them
of resonance and capacitor failure [1]. with low impedance shunting paths.

Non-linear features of numerous factory and 2. PASSIVE AND ACTIVE FILTERS

commercial loads such as power fluorescent
lamps, computers, power switches, variable- The two filter types are first, the series filter and
speed motor drives (VSDs) and converters used the other is referred to as the shunt filter. The
in combination with industrial pump, fan, and series filters are normally not used as they are
compressors and equipment for air conditioning supposed to carry full current load and are
have created harmonics distortion a normal mounted for full line voltages. As such, these
occurrence in networks of electrical power. The aspects make the series filters more costly than
harmonic current introduced by some of these the shunt filters. Compared to series filters, shunt
loads is generally very little to create major filters carry only a fraction of the current and are
distortions in the network distribution. But, when also cheaper.
operating in bulk, the collective effect has the
ability to cause a serious level of harmonic The passive filters are one of the common
disorder. This usually does not affect end-user methods for harmonic mitigation in the electrical
electronics as they overload neutral conductor power system due to simplicity and economic
and transformer advantages and, in general, cause reasons [9]. This report illustrates several kinds
additional loss and reduce power factor [2–6]. of single passive filters and double- tune filters
Conversely, big converters in industry and [10], the use of these filters gives good results for
variable- speed drivers have the capacity to THD (Total Harmonic Distortion) below the
generating substantial amount of distortion in the standards, Figure 1 illustrates the basic
usual coupling point (PCC), that connects other configuration of passive filters.
users to the network [7, 8].

As a result of electronic devices and

semiconductors speedy development, the
1
 extenuation produced by a 6 pulse rectifier was
conducted by E. F. El-Saadany [15]. Comparison
of solutions (active and passive) for suppressing
harmonic and its extenuation were researched by
T.K. Abdelgalil, E. F. El-Saadany and M.M.A
Salama [16].

Active filters can be looked upon as sources of

harmonic current made in parallel connection
Figure 1. Types of passive filter configuration within the power systems. Active power filter has
the ability of overcoming the drawbacks of
The harmonic distortion in power system passive filters with more efficiency and less
distribution can be addressed using two methods harmonic distortion but with high hardware costs
of passive and active power. Filtration using [17]. Conventionally, the problems of distribution
passive approaches is the most common system harmonics were researched through the
conventional solution to reduce harmonic use of shunt passive filters. Although this type of
deviation [11-13]. Though simple, but using filter has the advantage in terms of low hardware
passive element does not at all times positively cost, the system from harmonic high current and
respond to the changing aspects of the power used to improve the system power factor as the
system distribution [14]. For many years, the passive filters provide reactive power to the
passive filter as grown to a sophisticated level. power system and reduce the resonance problems
Some have equally adjusted to circumvent certain at all system buses depending on the closeness of
harmonic frequencies. the bus to the position of the filter. On the other
The progress and the use of active filter have hand the passive filters with its different types
been studied due to the increased interest in the regarded as one of the inexpensive and most cost-
power quality at the consumer’s side or effective way of mitigating harmonic and
distribution side and harmonics reduction. Active improving power factor in the power systems.
filter supersedes the passive filters shortcomings Using passive filters should reduce THD values
through the application of power converter for both voltage and current below the IEEE
switching mode to implement the removal of the standards. Moreover the disadvantages of passive
harmonic current. This report represents active filters include large volume and parallel
shunt filter as one of the solutions for mitigate resonance possibility. Passive filters in addition is
harmonics distortion for both current and voltage widely used in HVDC systems, installations of
and improving system power factor and reactive arc-furnace, and static Var compensators
power compensation as shown in Figure 2 below. installation.

3. TEST SYSTEM DESCRIPTION

Figure 3 shows the 13-bus IEEE test system for

harmonic mitigation study. The system is
connected with a utility supply at 69 kV while the
local generator works with 13.8 kV. The system
operates at three voltage levels, which are high
voltage (69 kV), medium voltage (13.8 kV, 4.16
kV, and 2.4 kV) and low voltage (0.48 kV). A
capacitor rated at (6000 kVar) is linked at bus 3
to rectify load power factor of the plant[14-16].
The harmonic producing loads, considered in the
simulation, are the two ASD loads rated at 1186
kVar connected at bus 7 and bus 10.
Figure 2. Shunt Active Filter circuit diagram

The results obtained using PSCAD/EMTDC

simulation software to simulate the 13-bus bar
test system with two ASD (adjustable speed
driver) as non-linear loads. Several researches
have been conducted on harmonic extenuation
using numerous types of filters and ASD load
effects and its contribution to harmonics joint
coupling points (PCCs). The study of harmonic
2
 Figure 4a.

Figure 3. Single line diagram of the IEEE 13-Bus test

system
Figure 4b.
4. SIMULATION RESULTS
Both buses are of interest in which bus 7 is close
The results from simulation are shown as ideas to harmonic source ASD load and bus 3 is at the
on the differences of both voltage and current point of shared coupling.
harmonic distortion level as effected by the
following: - 4.2. HARMONIC REDUCTION AFTER
INSTALLING DOUBLE TUNED AND
i) Installing double tuned filters. SHUNT ACTIVE FILTERS.
ii) Installing shunt active filters.
iii) Effect of using passive and active filter Using double tuned filter to mitigate harmonic in
in the system. certain buses gives better results as shown in
table 3 below. From the results shown in table 2,
4.1. PROPAGATION OF HARMONIC can be seen that harmonics can be mitigated
BEFORE INSTALLING FILTERS when double tuned filter are placed at both buses
7 and 10. Therefore this is optimal placement for
Before installing the filters, the propagation of the installation of passive filters. By installing
harmonics in the system is investigated using the double tuned filters at buses 7, 10, 3 at a time
frequency domain analysis. The values THD for harmonics cannot be eliminated.
both voltage and current are recorded at various
buses and the results are tabulated as shown in Table2. THD for voltage and current with Double
table 1. It is noted that both the voltages and Tuned filter
currents THD record high values which exceed Filter Monitoring THD THD
their limits at buses 7, 9, and 10. This is due to Position V I
the fact that the ASD loads are connected at buses Bus 3 Bus 3 0.511 4.02
7 and 10 and bus 9 is connected to bus 10 via a Bus 7 5.24 20.63
transformer. Figure 4 a, b show the waveform of Bus 10 6.73 23.93
current at bus 3 and 7, respectively. Bus 7 Bus 3 1.183 6.1
Bus 7 2.39 7.71
Table. 1 THD at different buses before installing filters Bus 10 6.64 23.41
Bus 10 Bus 3 1.11 12.25
Bus No THD V THD I Bus 7 5.77 2.09
3 0.628 6.6 Bus 10 2.73 8.93
7 5.14* 21.44* Bus 7 & Bus 3 1.183 6.1
10 Bus 7 2.39 7.71
10 6.03* 23.85*
The asterisk (*) indicates the voltage and current Bus 10 6.64 23.41
exceeds its limits of 50% and 10%, respectively.
The asterisk (*) indicates the voltage and current
exceeds its limits of 50% and 10%, respectively.

Installation Shunt Active Filter gives better

results comparing with the two previous cases;
table 3 shows the results of using shunt active
filter to mitigate harmonics.
3
 Table 4. THD for voltage and current Using Shunt
Table3. THD for voltage and current with Shunt Active Active Filter with DTF and PCC
filter

Monitoring
Before Shunt Active
Bus 3 PositionFilter

Monitoring
For For
Double Tuned Shunt Active Installing Filter with
Filter Filter Filter DTF
THD THD THD THD I THD THD THD THD
V I V V I V I
Bus 3 0.511 4.02 0.61 1.148
Bus 7 5.24 20.63 5.123 21.14* 3 0.628 6.6 0.083 1.01
Bus 10 6.73 23.93 5.86 23.46* 7 5.14* 21.44* 4.89 19.92*
10 6.03* 23.85* 5.07* 20.92*
Bus 7

Bus 3 1.183 6.1 1.09 7.79

Bus 7 2.39 7.71 3.32 5.25 The asterisk (*) indicates the voltage and current
Bus 10 6.64 23.41 6.51 23.26* exceeds its limits of 50% and 10%, respectively.
Bus 10

Bus 3 1.11 12.25 0.82 9.312

Bus 7 5.77 2.09 5.67 20.89* Measuring the THD for Voltage and current
Bus 10 2.73 8.93 4.45 5.04
using passive and active filters in the same
The asterisk (*) indicates the voltage and current
systems gives low values of THD for voltage and
exceeds its limits of 50% and 10%, respectively.
current by placing Shunt active filter in bus 3
(PCC) and single and double tuned filters in bus 7
In Table 3 the results reveals that harmonics can
and bus 10 at a time. THD for voltage and current
be mitigated better when shunt active filter are
can be seen in table 5 below.
placed at each bus individually. Figure .5 a and b
show the waveforms of current at bus 3 and 7,
respectively for shunt active power filter placed Table 5. THD for voltages and currents Using Shunt
at bus 7. Active Filter in PCC, STF and DTF in Bus 7 and 10
Monitoring
Before Shunt Active
Installing Filter with
Filter DTF at Bus 7
& 10
THD THD THD THD
V I V I
3 0.628 6.6 0.216 1.54
7 5.14* 21.44* 2.25 5.73
10 6.03* 23.85* 3.03 7.05
Figure 5a.
The asterisk (*) indicates the voltage and current
exceeds its limits of 50% and 10%, respectively.

The analysis shows that the distortions in

voltages and currents in this case are few as
against using only passive filters assist the active
filter by mitigate harmonics generated by the
ASD loads so that the harmonic current that flow
Figure 5b. in bus 3 (PCC) become less than the harmonic
current in case using only active filter in bus 3.
So this method considered more effective.
4.3. HARMONIC REDUCTION AFTER
INSTALLING COMBINED PASSIVE AND
ACTIVE FILTERS. 5. CONCLUSION

Measuring the THD for Voltage and current The study examines the efficacy of the
using passive and active filters in the same application of various extenuation techniques to
system. Placing shunt active filter together with lessen the currents and voltages harmonic
single and double tuned filters at a time in bus 3 distortions generated by ASD’s. The utilized
gives low values of THD for the voltages and three types of filtering techniques, namely,
currents only in bus 3, but the other buses still Single, and Double tuned filters as well as shunt
have high THD values for voltage and current as Active filter demonstrates their effectiveness in
shown in Table 4 below. removing the distortions in both voltage and
current.
The results THD in the simulated system exceeds
the standards limits due to the exits of two ASD
4
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