Unit-3

Harmonics

Harmonic sources from commercial and industrial loads -

Locating harmonic sources – Power system response
characteristics - Harmonics Vs transients. Effect of
harmonics – Harmonic distortion - Voltage and current
distortions - Harmonic indices - Harmonic distortion
evaluation, IEEE and IEC standards
Dr.M.Sujith, Assistant Professor/EE, Sanjivani College of Engineering, Kopargaon-423603 1
 Voltage Distortion Vs Current Distortion

Harmonic is often used

1. The harmonic voltages are too great
2. The harmonic currents are too great
3. Both

• Nonlinear loads  sources of harmonic current in shunt with and

injecting harmonic currents into the power system.

• Voltage distortion  result of distorted currents passing through the

linear, series impedance of the power delivery system,

Dr.M.Sujith, Assistant Professor/EE, Sanjivani College of Engineering, Kopargaon-423603 2

• The harmonic currents passing through the impedance of the
system cause a voltage drop for each harmonic. This results
in voltage harmonics appearing at the load bus.

• The amount of voltage distortion depends on the impedance

and the current.

• IEEE Standard 519-1992, Recommended Practices and

Requirements for Harmonic Control in Electrical Power
Systems

Harmonic
Dr.M.Sujith, currents
Assistant flowing
Professor/EE, through
Sanjivani College of the system
Engineering, impedance
Kopargaon-423603 result in harmonic voltages at3 the
load
1. The control over the amount of harmonic current injected
into the system takes place at the end-use application.

2. Assuming the harmonic current injection is within

reasonable limits, the control over the voltage distortion
is exercised by the entity having control over the system
impedance, which is often the utility.

Dr.M.Sujith, Assistant Professor/EE, Sanjivani College of Engineering, Kopargaon-423603 4

 Harmonic Vs Transients
• A measurement of the event may show a distorted
waveform with obvious high-frequency components.

• Transient disturbances contain high-frequency

components. They are the natural frequencies of the
system at the time of the switching operation. These
frequencies have no relation to the system fundamental
frequency.

• Harmonics, by definition, occur in the steady state and

are integer multiples of the fundamental frequency.

Dr.M.Sujith, Assistant Professor/EE, Sanjivani College of Engineering, Kopargaon-423603 5

 • The waveform distortion that produces the harmonics is
present continually, or at least for several seconds.
Transients are usually dissipated within a few cycles.

• Transients are associated with changes in the system such

as switching of a capacitor bank. Harmonics are
associated with the continuing operation of a load.

Dr.M.Sujith, Assistant Professor/EE, Sanjivani College of Engineering, Kopargaon-423603 6

 Harmonic effects on equipment's

• Insulation stress (Voltage effect)

• Thermal Stress (Current effect)

• Load Rupture (Abnormal operation)

• Effect on transformer  additional heat mechanical

insulation stress  core vibrations eddy current losses
 square of load current and frequency

Dr.M.Sujith, Assistant Professor/EE, Sanjivani College of Engineering, Kopargaon-423603 7

 Harmonic Effects on Power System
Equipment
• Motor
• Circuit breaker
• Electromechanical induction disk type relay
• Watt hour meter
• Electronic and computer controlled equipment
• Capacitor
• Transformer

Dr.M.Sujith, Assistant Professor/EE, Sanjivani College of Engineering, Kopargaon-423603 8

 Harmonic Effects on Power System Equipment
Equipment's Harmonic Effects Results
Motors • Increased losses • Motor heating
• Mechanical vibrations
• Harmonic voltage produce and noises
magnetic fields rotating at a • Pulsating torque
speed corresponding to the • Reduced efficiency
harmonic frequency • Voltage stress on
insulation
Circuit Breaker Blowout coils may not operate Failure to interrupt
properly in the presence of currents
harmonic currents

Dr.M.Sujith, Assistant Professor/EE, Sanjivani College of Engineering, Kopargaon-423603 9

 Harmonic Effects on Power System Equipment
Equipment's Harmonic Effects Results

Electromechanical May alter time delay Incorrect tripping of

induction disk relays characteristics of the relay relays

Watt hour meter Harmonics generate additional Incorrect readings

torque on induction disk which
cause improper operation

Electronic and • Electronic controls are • Mal-operation of

computer controlled dependent in zero crossing control and protection
equipment or on voltage control equipments

• Equipment failure

Dr.M.Sujith, Assistant Professor/EE, Sanjivani College of Engineering, Kopargaon-423603 10

 Harmonic Effects on Power System Equipment
Equipment's Harmonic Effects Results
Capacitors • Capacitor impedance • Heating of capacitors
decreases with • Short circuits
frequency • Fuse failure
• Capacitor explosion
• Supply system
inductance resonate
with capacitor at some
harmonic frequency
causing large currents
and voltages to
develop

• Breakdown of
dielectric material

Dr.M.Sujith, Assistant Professor/EE, Sanjivani College of Engineering, Kopargaon-423603 11

 Harmonic Effects on Power System Equipment
Equipment's Harmonic Effects Results
Transformer • High losses • Transformer heating
• Reduced life span
• Increased copper and
iron losses
• Insulation stress
• Noise

Dr.M.Sujith, Assistant Professor/EE, Sanjivani College of Engineering, Kopargaon-423603 12

 Common Sources of Harmonics
Loads Sources Common Problems

Industrial • Three phase power converters • Overheating of supply

• Variable Speed drives (AC or DC) transformers
• PWM ASDs • Tripping of over current
• Welder, Large UPS Systems protection
• Lighting Systems (Discharge • Overheating and fuse
Lamps) blowing of PF correction
• Electric Furnace Capacitors

Dr.M.Sujith, Assistant Professor/EE, Sanjivani College of Engineering, Kopargaon-423603 13

 Common Sources of Harmonics
Loads Sources Common Problems

Commercial • Power Supplies (SMPS, switching • Overheating of supply

regulator) transformers and neutral
• ASDs in HVAC Systems conductors
• Computers,
• Electronic office equipments
• Lighting (fluorescent lamps)

Dr.M.Sujith, Assistant Professor/EE, Sanjivani College of Engineering, Kopargaon-423603 14

 Common Sources of Harmonics
Loads Sources Common Problems

Residential • Personal computers • High density of electronic

• Lighting loads could cause
• Electronic devices overheating of utility
transformer

Dr.M.Sujith, Assistant Professor/EE, Sanjivani College of Engineering, Kopargaon-423603 15

 Harmonic Sources from Commercial Loads

• Single-phase power supplies

• Fluorescent lighting
• Adjustable-speed drives for HVAC and elevators

Dr.M.Sujith, Assistant Professor/EE, Sanjivani College of Engineering, Kopargaon-423603 16

 Single-phase power supplies
• Electronic power converter loads with their capacity for
producing harmonic currents

• DC power for modern electronic and microprocessor-

based office equipment is commonly derived from single-
phase full-wave diode bridge rectifiers

Dr.M.Sujith, Assistant Professor/EE, Sanjivani College of Engineering, Kopargaon-423603 17

• Two common types of single-phase power supplies.

• Older technologies use ac-side voltage control methods such

as transformers  to reduce voltages to the level required for
the dc bus.

• The inductance of the transformer smoothing the input

current waveform, reducing harmonic content.

Dr.M.Sujith, Assistant Professor/EE, Sanjivani College of Engineering, Kopargaon-423603 18

• Newer-technology switch-mode power supplies (see Fig.) use dc-
to-dc conversion techniques to achieve a smooth dc output with
small, lightweight components.

• The input diode bridge is directly connected to the ac line,

eliminating the transformer. This results in a coarsely regulated
dc voltage on the capacitor.

• This direct current is then converted back to alternating current at

a very high frequency by the switcher and subsequently rectified
again.

Dr.M.Sujith, Assistant Professor/EE, Sanjivani College of Engineering, Kopargaon-423603 19

• Personal computers, printers, copiers, and most
other single-phase electronic equipment now almost
universally employ switch-mode power supplies.

• The key advantages are the light weight, compact

size, efficient operation, and lack of need for a
transformer.

• Switch-mode power supplies can usually tolerate

large variations in input voltage.

Dr.M.Sujith, Assistant Professor/EE, Sanjivani College of Engineering, Kopargaon-423603 20

 Distorted Waveform

SMPS current and harmonic spectrum.

Dr.M.Sujith, Assistant Professor/EE, Sanjivani College of Engineering, Kopargaon-423603 21
• A distinctive characteristic of switch-mode power
supplies is a very high third-harmonic content in
the current.

• Since third-harmonic current components are additive

in the neutral of a three-phase system, the increasing
application of switch-mode power supplies causes
concern for overloading of neutral conductors,
especially in older buildings where an undersized
neutral may have been installed.

• There is also a concern for transformer overheating

due to a combination of harmonic content of the
current, stray flux, and high neutral currents.
Dr.M.Sujith, Assistant Professor/EE, Sanjivani College of Engineering, Kopargaon-423603 22
 Fluorescent lighting
• Lighting typically accounts for 40 to 60 percent of a
commercial building load.
• Fluorescent lights are discharge lamps ballast a high
initial voltage  initiate the discharge for the electric
current to flow between two electrodes in the fluorescent
tube.
• Voltage decreases  arc current increases.
• Ballast reduce the current to a level to maintain the
specified lumen output. Thus, a ballast is also a current-
limiting device in lighting applications.

Dr.M.Sujith, Assistant Professor/EE, Sanjivani College of Engineering, Kopargaon-423603 23

• Two types of ballasts Magnetic and Electronic

• Magnetic ballast iron-core transformer with a

capacitor encased in an insulating material.
• Magnetic ballast can drive one or two fluorescent
lamps, and it operates at the line fundamental
• frequency, i.e., 50 or 60 Hz.
• The iron-core magnetic ballast contributes additional
heat losses, which makes it inefficient compared to an
electronic ballast

Dr.M.Sujith, Assistant Professor/EE, Sanjivani College of Engineering, Kopargaon-423603 24

 THD of 15% THD of 10-32%

Fluorescent lamp with electronic ballast

Fluorescent lamp with magnetic ballast
Dr.M.Sujith, Assistant Professor/EE, Sanjivani College of Engineering, Kopargaon-423603 25
• An electronic ballast employs a switch-mode–type
power supply to convert the incoming fundamental
frequency voltage to a much higher frequency voltage
typically in the range of 25 to 40 kHz.

This high frequency has two advantages

 A small inductor is sufficient to limit the arc current.
 The high frequency eliminates or greatly reduces the
100- or 120-Hz flicker associated with an iron-core
magnetic ballast.
• A single electronic ballast typically can drive up to
four fluorescent lamps

Dr.M.Sujith, Assistant Professor/EE, Sanjivani College of Engineering, Kopargaon-423603 26

 Adjustable-speed drives for HVAC and elevators

• Adjustable-speed drives (ASDs) in commercial loads

elevator motors and in pumps and fans in HVAC
systems.

• An ASD consists of an electronic power converter that

converts ac voltage and frequency into variable
voltage and frequency

• ASDs also find many applications in industrial loads

Dr.M.Sujith, Assistant Professor/EE, Sanjivani College of Engineering, Kopargaon-423603 27

 Harmonic Sources from Industrial Loads

• Three-phase power converters

• DC drives
• AC drives
• Arcing devices

Dr.M.Sujith, Assistant Professor/EE, Sanjivani College of Engineering, Kopargaon-423603 28

 Three-phase power converters
• Three-phase electronic power converters differ from
single-phase converters mainly because they do not
generate third-harmonic currents.

• Voltage source inverter drives (such as PWM-type

drives) can have much higher distortion levels

Dr.M.Sujith, Assistant Professor/EE, Sanjivani College of Engineering, Kopargaon-423603 29

 Current and harmonic Current and harmonic
spectrum for CSI-type ASD. spectrum for PWM-type ASD.

Dr.M.Sujith, Assistant Professor/EE, Sanjivani College of Engineering, Kopargaon-423603 30

 DC drives
• Rectification is the only step required for dc drives.

• Therefore, they have the advantage of relatively simple

control systems.

• Compared with ac drive systems, the dc drive offers a

wider speed range and higher starting torque.

• However, purchase and maintenance costs for dc

motors are high.

Dr.M.Sujith, Assistant Professor/EE, Sanjivani College of Engineering, Kopargaon-423603 31

• Large drives may employ a 12-pulse rectifier.

• This reduces thyristor current duties and reduces some

of the larger ac current harmonics.

• 6-pulse drive are the fifth and seventh harmonics

• 12 pulse drive expected to eliminate about 90 percent

of the fifth and seventh harmonics

• Disadvantages- more cost in electronics

Dr.M.Sujith, Assistant Professor/EE, Sanjivani College of Engineering, Kopargaon-423603 32

Dr.M.Sujith, Assistant Professor/EE, Sanjivani College of Engineering, Kopargaon-423603 33
 AC drives

• In ac drives, the rectifier output is inverted to produce a

variable-frequency ac voltage for the motor.

• Inverters are classified as voltage source inverters (VSIs) or

current source inverters (CSIs).

• A VSI requires a constant dc (i.e., low-ripple) voltage input to

the inverter stage. This is achieved with a capacitor or LC filter
in the dc link.

• The CSI requires a constant current input; hence, a series

inductor is placed in the dc link.
Dr.M.Sujith, Assistant Professor/EE, Sanjivani College of Engineering, Kopargaon-423603 34
A popular ac drive configuration uses a VSI employing PWM techniques to
synthesize an AC waveform as a train of variable-width dc pulses (see Fig.).

Currently, the VSI PWM drive offers the best energy efficiency for
applications over a wide speed range for drives up through at least 500 hp.

Another advantage of PWM drives is that, unlike other types of drives, it is

not necessary to vary rectifier output voltage to control motor speed.

This allows the rectifier thyristors to be replaced with diodes, and the
thyristor control circuitry to be eliminated.

Dr.M.Sujith, Assistant Professor/EE, Sanjivani College of Engineering, Kopargaon-423603 35

Very high power drives employ SCRs and inverters. These may be 6-
pulse, as shown in (Fig. a), or like large dc drives, 12-pulse.

VSI drives (Fig. a) are limited to applications that do not require

rapid changes in speed.

Dr.M.Sujith, Assistant Professor/EE, Sanjivani College of Engineering, Kopargaon-423603 36

• CSI drives (Fig. b) have good acceleration/deceleration
characteristics but require a motor with a leading power factor
(synchronous or induction with capacitors) or added control
circuitry to commutate the inverter thyristors.

• In either case, the CSI drive must be designed for use with a
specific motor. Thyristors in current source inverters must be
protected against inductive voltage spikes, which increases the
cost of this type of drive.

Dr.M.Sujith, Assistant Professor/EE, Sanjivani College of Engineering, Kopargaon-423603 37

Dr.M.Sujith, Assistant Professor/EE, Sanjivani College of Engineering, Kopargaon-423603 38
 Arcing devices
• This category includes arc furnaces, arc welders, and
discharge-type lighting (fluorescent, sodium vapor,
mercury vapor) with magnetic ballasts.

• As shown in Fig., the arc is basically a voltage clamp

in series with a reactance that limits current to a
reasonable value.

Dr.M.Sujith, Assistant Professor/EE, Sanjivani College of Engineering, Kopargaon-423603 39

 • The voltage-current characteristics of electric arcs are
nonlinear.

• Following arc ignition, the voltage decreases as the

arc current increases, limited only by the impedance
of the power system.

• This gives the arc the appearance of having a negative

resistance for a portion of its operating cycle such
as in fluorescent lighting applications

Dr.M.Sujith, Assistant Professor/EE, Sanjivani College of Engineering, Kopargaon-423603 40

• Harmonic currents produced by non-linear electronic loads are
injected in to the power system grid.

• The effect of injecting large magnitude of harmonic current in to

the grid depends on the response of the power grid to the various
injected harmonic frequencies.

• Depending on the response of the grid, the injected current could

simply flow in to the grid harmlessly or create electrical power
system resonance resulting in damaging overvoltage or overcurrent
conditions.

The characteristics of the system that determine the response of the

grid to the power system harmonics are:
• Impedance of the system to each harmonic frequency
• Presence of any capacitor banks
• Amount of resistive loads
Dr.M.Sujith, Assistant Professor/EE, Sanjivani College of Engineering, Kopargaon-423603 41
 Locating Harmonic Sources

When harmonic problems are caused by excessive voltage

distortion on the supply system, it is important to locate the
sources of harmonic in order to develop a solution to the problem.

Dr.M.Sujith, Assistant Professor/EE, Sanjivani College of Engineering, Kopargaon-423603 42

 • On radial utility distribution feeders and industrial plant
power systems, the main tendency is for the harmonic
currents to flow from the harmonic-producing load to
the power system source

• The impedance of the power system is normally lowest

impedance seen by the harmonic currents.

• Thus, the bulk of the current flows into the source.

• This general tendency of harmonic current flows can be

used to locate sources of harmonics

Dr.M.Sujith, Assistant Professor/EE, Sanjivani College of Engineering, Kopargaon-423603 43

Using a power quality monitor harmonic content of the current,
simply measure the harmonic currents in each branch starting at the
beginning of the circuit and trace the harmonics to the source.
Dr.M.Sujith, Assistant Professor/EE, Sanjivani College of Engineering, Kopargaon-423603 44
Power factor correction capacitors can alter this flow pattern for at least one of the
harmonics. For example, adding a capacitor to the previous circuit as shown in Fig.
may draw a large amount of harmonic current into that portion of the circuit
Dr.M.Sujith, Assistant Professor/EE, Sanjivani College of Engineering, Kopargaon-423603 45
• In such a situation, following the path of the harmonic current
will lead to a capacitor bank instead of the actual harmonic
source.

• Thus, it is generally necessary to temporarily disconnect all

capacitors to reliably locate the sources of harmonics.

• Differentiate harmonic currents due to actual sources from

harmonic currents that are strictly due to resonance involving
a capacitor bank.

• A resonance current typically has only one dominant

harmonic riding on top of the fundamental sine wave.
Dr.M.Sujith, Assistant Professor/EE, Sanjivani College of Engineering, Kopargaon-423603 46
• Simply measure the current in the capacitors.

• If it contains a very large amount of one harmonic other

than the fundamental, it is likely that the capacitor is
participating in a resonant circuit within the power system.

• Always check the capacitor currents first in any

installations where harmonic problems are suspected

• Another method to locate harmonic sources is by

correlating the time variations of the voltage distortion
with specific customer and load characteristics

Dr.M.Sujith, Assistant Professor/EE, Sanjivani College of Engineering, Kopargaon-423603 47

 Interharmonics
• According to the Fourier theory, a periodic waveform can be
expressed as a sum of pure sine waves of different
amplitudes where the frequency of each sinusoid is an
integer multiple of the fundamental frequency of the
periodic waveform.

• A frequency that is an integer multiple of the fundamental

frequency is called a harmonic frequency, i.e., fh=hf0 where
f0 and h are the fundamental frequency and an integer number,
respectively

Dr.M.Sujith, Assistant Professor/EE, Sanjivani College of Engineering, Kopargaon-423603 48

• The sum of two or more pure sine waves with different
amplitudes where the frequency of each sinusoid is not an
integer multiple of the fundamental frequency does not
necessarily result in a periodic waveform.

• This non-integer multiple of the fundamental frequency is

commonly known as an interharmonic frequency, i.e., fih = hi * f0
where hi is a non-integer number larger than unity.

• Thus in practical terms, interharmonic frequencies are frequencies

between two adjacent harmonic frequencies.
Dr.M.Sujith, Assistant Professor/EE, Sanjivani College of Engineering, Kopargaon-423603 49
 • One primary source of interharmonics is the widespread use
of electronic power converter loads capable of producing
current distortion over a whole range of frequencies, i.e.
characteristic and non-characteristic frequencies.

• Examples of these loads are adjustable-speed drives in

industrial applications and PWM inverters in UPS applications,
active filters, and custom power conditioning equipment.

Dr.M.Sujith, Assistant Professor/EE, Sanjivani College of Engineering, Kopargaon-423603 50

• The front end of an adjustable-speed drive is typically a diode rectifier
that converts an incoming ac voltage to a dc voltage. An inverter then
converts the dc voltage to variable ac voltage with variable frequency.
The inverter can produce interharmonics in the current especially when
the inverter employs an asynchronous switching scheme.

• An asynchronous switching scheme is when the ratio of the switching

frequency of the power electronic switches is an integer multiple of
the fundamental frequency of the inverter voltage output. If the
harmonic current passes through the dc link and propagates into the
supply system, interharmonic-related problems may arise.

Dr.M.Sujith, Assistant Professor/EE, Sanjivani College of Engineering, Kopargaon-423603 51

• Induction furnaces have been widely used to heat ferrous and
nonferrous stocks in the forging and extruding industry.

• Modern induction furnaces use electronic power converters to

supply a variable frequency to the furnace induction coil as
shown in Fig.

• The frequency at the melting coil varies to match the type of

material being melted and the amount of the material in the
furnace.

Dr.M.Sujith, Assistant Professor/EE, Sanjivani College of Engineering, Kopargaon-423603 52

• The furnace coil and capacitor form a resonant circuit, and the dc-to-
ac inverter drives the circuit to keep it in resonance.

• The inductance of the coil varies depending on the type, temperature,

and amount of material as the furnace completes one cycle to another
such as from a melt to pour cycle.

• This situation results in a varying operating frequency for the

furnace. The typical range of frequencies for induction furnaces is 150
to 1200 Hz.

Dr.M.Sujith, Assistant Professor/EE, Sanjivani College of Engineering, Kopargaon-423603

Block diagram of a modern induction furnace with a current source inverter 53
• Impacts of interharmonics are similar to those of harmonics such
as filter overloading, overheating, power line carrier
interference, ripple, voltage fluctuation, and flicker.

• However, solving interharmonic problems can be more

challenging, especially when interharmonic frequencies vary
from time to time as do those in induction furnaces.

• Broadband filters are usually used to mitigate interharmonic

problems.

Dr.M.Sujith, Assistant Professor/EE, Sanjivani College of Engineering, Kopargaon-423603 54

 Harmonic Indices
• The two most commonly used indices for measuring the harmonic
content of a waveform are the Total Harmonic Distortion (THD)
and the Total Demand Distortion (TDD) .

Total Harmonic Distortion

• The THD is a measure of the effective value of the harmonic
components of a distorted waveform. That is, it is the potential
heating value of the harmonics relative to the fundamental. This
index can be calculated for either voltage or current:

Dr.M.Sujith, Assistant Professor/EE, Sanjivani College of Engineering, Kopargaon-423603 55

Total Demand Distortion (TDD)

For example, many adjustable-speed drives will exhibit high THD

values for the input current when they are operating at very light loads.

This is not necessarily a significant concern because the magnitude of

harmonic current is low, even though its relative current distortion
is high.

• IL is the peak, or maximum, demand load current at the fundamental

frequency component measured at the point of common coupling
(PCC).
Dr.M.Sujith, Assistant Professor/EE, Sanjivani College of Engineering, Kopargaon-423603 56
 Harmonic Distortion
Evaluations

Dr.M.Sujith, Assistant Professor/EE, Sanjivani College of Engineering, Kopargaon-423603 57

• Harmonic currents produced by nonlinear loads can interact
adversely with the utility supply system.

• The interaction often gives rise to voltage and current harmonic

distortion observed in many places in the system.

• Therefore, to limit both voltage and current harmonic

distortion, IEEE Standard 519-1992 proposes to limit
harmonic current injection from end users so that harmonic
voltage levels on the overall power system will be acceptable
if the power system does not inordinately accentuate the
harmonic currents

• This approach requires participation from both end users and

utilities.
Dr.M.Sujith, Assistant Professor/EE, Sanjivani College of Engineering, Kopargaon-423603 58
 End users
• For individual end users, IEEE Standard 519-1992 limits the
level of harmonic current injection at the point of common
coupling (PCC).

• Recommended limits are provided for both individual

harmonic components and the total demand distortion.

• These limits are expressed in terms of a percentage of the end

user’s maximum demand current level

Dr.M.Sujith, Assistant Professor/EE, Sanjivani College of Engineering, Kopargaon-423603 59

 The Utility
• Since the harmonic voltage distortion on the utility system
arises from the interaction between distorted load currents
and the utility system impedance, the utility is mainly
responsible for limiting the voltage distortion at the PCC.

• The limits are given for the maximum individual harmonic

components and for the total harmonic distortion (THD).

• These values are expressed as the percentage of the

fundamental voltage
Dr.M.Sujith, Assistant Professor/EE, Sanjivani College of Engineering, Kopargaon-423603 60
• Thus, in principle, end users and utilities share responsibility for
limiting harmonic current injections and voltage distortion at
the PCC.

• The evaluation of harmonic distortion is divided into two parts:

measurements of the currents being injected by the load and
calculations of the frequency response of the system impedance.

• Measurements should be taken continuously over a sufficient

period of time so that time variations and statistical characteristics
of the harmonic distortion can be accurately represented.
Dr.M.Sujith, Assistant Professor/EE, Sanjivani College of Engineering, Kopargaon-423603 61
 Concept of point of common coupling

PCC at the transformer primary

where multiple customers are served.

Evaluations of harmonic distortion are usually performed at a point between the end
user or customer and the utility system where another customer can be served. This
point is known as the point of common coupling

PCC at the transformer secondary

where multiple customers are served.

Dr.M.Sujith, Assistant Professor/EE, Sanjivani College of Engineering, Kopargaon-423603 62

PCC selection depends on where multiple customers are served
 Harmonic evaluations on the utility system

• Harmonic evaluations on the utility system involve procedures

to determine the acceptability of the voltage distortion for all
customers.

• Should the voltage distortion exceed the recommended limits,

corrective actions will be taken to reduce the distortion to a
level within limits.

• IEEE Standard 519-1992 provides guidelines for acceptable

levels of voltage distortion on the utility system.

Dr.M.Sujith, Assistant Professor/EE, Sanjivani College of Engineering, Kopargaon-423603 63

 • There are two important components for limiting voltage
distortion levels on the overall utility system.

• Harmonic currents injected from individual end users on

the system must be limited.

• These currents propagate toward the supply source through the

system impedance, creating voltage distortion.

• Thus by limiting the amount of injected harmonic currents,

the voltage distortion can be limited as well. This is indeed the
basic method of controlling the overall distortion levels
proposed by IEEE Standard 519- 1992.

Dr.M.Sujith, Assistant Professor/EE, Sanjivani College of Engineering, Kopargaon-423603 64

• The overall voltage distortion levels can be excessively high
even if the harmonic current injections are within limits.
This condition occurs primarily when one of the harmonic
current frequencies is close to a system resonance frequency.

• This can result in unacceptable voltage distortion levels at some

system locations.

• The highest voltage distortion will generally occur at a

capacitor bank that participates in the resonance. This
location can be remote from the point of injection
Dr.M.Sujith, Assistant Professor/EE, Sanjivani College of Engineering, Kopargaon-423603 65
 Voltage limit evaluation procedure

• Characterization of harmonic sources.

• System modeling.
• System frequency response
• Evaluate expected distortion levels
• Evaluate harmonic control scheme.

Dr.M.Sujith, Assistant Professor/EE, Sanjivani College of Engineering, Kopargaon-423603 66

Dr.M.Sujith, Assistant Professor/EE, Sanjivani College of Engineering, Kopargaon-423603 67
 Harmonic evaluation for end-user facilities
• Harmonic problems are more common at end-user facilities than
on the utility supply system.

• Most nonlinear loads are located within end-user facilities, and

the highest voltage distortion levels occur close to harmonic
sources.

• IEEE Standard 519-1992 establishes harmonic current distortion

limits at the PCC.

• Ih is the magnitude of individual harmonic components (rms

amps).
• ISC is the short-circuit current at the PCC.
• IL is the fundamental component of the maximum demand load
current at the PCC.
Dr.M.Sujith, Assistant Professor/EE, Sanjivani College of Engineering, Kopargaon-423603 68
 • The total demand distortion (TDD) is expressed in terms of
the maximum demand load current, i.e

• In computing the short-circuit current at the PCC, the normal

system conditions that result in minimum short-circuit capacity
at the PCC should be used since this condition results in the
most severe system impacts.

Dr.M.Sujith, Assistant Professor/EE, Sanjivani College of Engineering, Kopargaon-423603 69

 Current limit evaluation procedure
• Define the PCC. For industrial and commercial end users, the
PCC is usually at the primary side of a service transformer
supplying the facility.

• Calculate the short-circuit ratio at the PCC and find the

corresponding limits on individual harmonics and on the TDD.

• Characterize the harmonic sources. Individual nonlinear loads

in the facility combine to form the overall level of harmonic
current generation. The best way to characterize harmonic current
in an existing facility is to perform measurements at the PCC over
a period of time (at least 1 week).

• Evaluate harmonic current levels with respect to current limits

using Table
Dr.M.Sujith, Assistant Professor/EE, Sanjivani College of Engineering, Kopargaon-423603 70
Dr.M.Sujith, Assistant Professor/EE, Sanjivani College of Engineering, Kopargaon-423603 71
 A procedure to determine the short-circuit ratio is as follows:

Dr.M.Sujith, Assistant Professor/EE, Sanjivani College of Engineering, Kopargaon-423603 72

 System Response Characteristics

Dr.M.Sujith, Assistant Professor/EE, Sanjivani College of Engineering, Kopargaon-423603 73

 • Identifying the sources is only half the job of harmonic
analysis.

• The response of the power system at each harmonic

frequency determines the true impact of the nonlinear
load on harmonic voltage distortion

Dr.M.Sujith, Assistant Professor/EE, Sanjivani College of Engineering, Kopargaon-423603 74

Three primary variables affecting the system response
Characteristics

 The system impedance

 The presence of a capacitor bank,
 The amount of resistive loads in the system.

Dr.M.Sujith, Assistant Professor/EE, Sanjivani College of Engineering, Kopargaon-423603 75

 System Response Characteristics
1) System impedance
2) Capacitor impedance
3) Parallel resonance
4) Series resonance
5) Effects of resistance and resistive load

Dr.M.Sujith, Assistant Professor/EE, Sanjivani College of Engineering, Kopargaon-423603 76

 System impedance

• At the fundamental frequency, power systems are

primarily inductive, and the equivalent impedance is
sometimes called simply the short-circuit impedance.

• Capacitive effects are frequently neglected on utility

distribution systems and industrial power systems.

• Used quantities in the analysis of harmonics on power

systems is the short-circuit impedance to the point on a
network at which a capacitor is located.

Dr.M.Sujith, Assistant Professor/EE, Sanjivani College of Engineering, Kopargaon-423603 77

Dr.M.Sujith, Assistant Professor/EE, Sanjivani College of Engineering, Kopargaon-423603 78
 Capacitor impedance

• Shunt capacitors, either at the customer location for

power factor correction or on the distribution system for
voltage control, dramatically alter the system impedance
variation with frequency.

• Reactance of inductive components increases

proportionately to frequency, capacitive reactance XC
decreases proportionately

Dr.M.Sujith, Assistant Professor/EE, Sanjivani College of Engineering, Kopargaon-423603 79

• For example, for a three phase, 1200-kvar, 13.8-kV
capacitor bank, the positive-sequence reactance in ohms
would be

Dr.M.Sujith, Assistant Professor/EE, Sanjivani College of Engineering, Kopargaon-423603 80

 Parallel resonance

• All circuits containing both capacitances and

inductances have one or more natural frequencies.

• A resonance may develop in which the voltage and

current at that frequency continue to persist at very
high values.

Dr.M.Sujith, Assistant Professor/EE, Sanjivani College of Engineering, Kopargaon-423603 81

Dr.M.Sujith, Assistant Professor/EE, Sanjivani College of Engineering, Kopargaon-423603 82
At harmonic frequencies, the shunt capacitor
bank appears in parallel with the system
inductance.

(a) Simplified distribution circuit;

(b) parallel resonant

circuit as seen from the harmonic source

Dr.M.Sujith, Assistant Professor/EE, Sanjivani College of Engineering, Kopargaon-423603 83

Parallel Resonant Frequency

Parallel Impedance

Dr.M.Sujith, Assistant Professor/EE, Sanjivani College of Engineering, Kopargaon-423603 84

For example, for an industrial load bus where the transformer impedance is dominant,
the resonant harmonic for a 1500-kVA, 6 percent transformer and a 500-kvar capacitor
bank is approximately

Dr.M.Sujith, Assistant Professor/EE, Sanjivani College of Engineering, Kopargaon-423603 85

 Series resonance

• When a shunt capacitor and the inductance of a

transformer or distribution line may appear as a series
LC circuit to a source of harmonic currents.

• If the resonant frequency corresponds to a

characteristic harmonic frequency of the nonlinear
load, the LC circuit will attract a large portion of the
harmonic current that is generated in the distribution
system

Dr.M.Sujith, Assistant Professor/EE, Sanjivani College of Engineering, Kopargaon-423603 86

 • A customer having no nonlinear load, but utilizing
power factor correction capacitors, may in this way
experience high harmonic voltage distortion due to
neighboring harmonic sources.

Dr.M.Sujith, Assistant Professor/EE, Sanjivani College of Engineering, Kopargaon-423603 87

• The harmonic source shown in this figure represents the total
harmonics produced by other loads.

• The inductance in series with the capacitor is that of the service

entrance transformer.

• The series combination of the transformer inductance and the

capacitor bank is very small (theoretically zero) and only limited
by its resistance.

• Thus the harmonic current corresponding to the resonant

frequency will flow freely in this circuit.

• The voltage at the power factor correction capacitor is magnified

and highly distorted.

Dr.M.Sujith, Assistant Professor/EE, Sanjivani College of Engineering, Kopargaon-423603 88

The resulting parallel resonant frequency is always smaller than its
series resonant frequency due to the source inductance contribution.
Dr.M.Sujith, Assistant Professor/EE, Sanjivani College of Engineering, Kopargaon-423603 89
 Effects of resistance and resistive load
• The damping provided by resistance in the system is often sufficient to
prevent catastrophic voltages and currents.

• In these cases, where the transformer dominates the system impedance

and has a high X/R ratio, the relative resistance is low and the corresponding
parallel resonant impedance peak is very sharp and high.

• This is a common cause of capacitor, transformer, or load equipment failure.

Dr.M.Sujith, Assistant Professor/EE, Sanjivani College of Engineering, Kopargaon-423603 90

 Role of passive and active filters in
controlling harmonics distortion in power
system

Dr.M.Sujith, Assistant Professor/EE, Sanjivani College of Engineering, Kopargaon-423603 91

Principles for Controlling Harmonics
• Harmonic distortion is present to some degree on all power
systems. Fundamentally, one needs to control harmonics only
when they become a problem.

There are three common causes of harmonic problems:

 The source of harmonic currents is too high.

 The path in which the currents flow is too long (electrically),

resulting in either high voltage distortion or telephone
interference.

 The response of the system magnifies one or more harmonics

to a greater degree than can be tolerated

Dr.M.Sujith, Assistant Professor/EE, Sanjivani College of Engineering, Kopargaon-423603 92

When a problem occurs, the basic options for controlling
harmonics are:
• Reduce the harmonic currents produced by the load.

• Add filters to inject the harmonic currents off the

system, block the currents from entering the system, or
supply the harmonic currents locally.

• Modify the frequency response of the system by filters,

inductors, or capacitors.

Dr.M.Sujith, Assistant Professor/EE, Sanjivani College of Engineering, Kopargaon-423603 93

 Types of harmonic filtering
• Line and load reactors – Reactors are used to provide current
limiting. Reactors oppose rapid changes in current and hence limit
spikes as a result of current pulses.

• Zigzag Transformer - To control zero-sequence harmonic

components.

• Passive harmonic filtering – Uses a combination of reactors and

capacitors to filter out harmonic frequencies.

• Active Harmonic Filtering – Provides harmonic compensation

by being installed on the line side of the offending load (for
example, VSD). They introduce current waveforms which cancel
out undesired harmonic components.
Dr.M.Sujith, Assistant Professor/EE, Sanjivani College of Engineering, Kopargaon-423603 94
 In-line reactors or chokes
• A simple method to control harmonic distortion generated by
adjustable-speed drives involves a relatively small reactor, or
choke, inserted at the line input side of the drive. This is
particularly effective for PWM-type drives.

• The inductance slows the rate at which the capacitor on the dc

bus can be charged and forces the drive to draw current over a
longer time period.

• The effect of slowing the dc capacitor charging rate also makes

the choke very effective in blocking some high-frequency
transients.

• This helps avoid nuisance drive tripping during capacitor

energization operations on the utility system.
Dr.M.Sujith, Assistant Professor/EE, Sanjivani College of Engineering, Kopargaon-423603 95
 • A typical 3 percent input choke can reduce the harmonic
current distortion for a PWM-type drive from approximately
80 to 40 percent. This impressive harmonic reduction is
illustrated in Fig.
• Additional harmonic reduction is rather limited when the
choke size is increased beyond 3 percent. The choke size is
computed on the drive kVA base

Dr.M.Sujith, Assistant Professor/EE, Sanjivani College of Engineering, Kopargaon-423603 96

 Zigzag transformers
• Zigzag transformers are often applied in commercial facilities
to control zero-sequence harmonic components

• A zigzag transformer acts like a filter to the zero-sequence

current by offering a low-impedance path to neutral.

• This reduces the amount of current that flows in the neutral

back toward the supply by providing a shorter path for the
current.

• To be effective, the transformer must be located near the

load on the circuit that is being protected.

Dr.M.Sujith, Assistant Professor/EE, Sanjivani College of Engineering, Kopargaon-423603 97

• A zig-zag transformer is used for providing grounding on the
transformer.

• It provides insulation between the ground and the component so

that the system component may not be affected by the fault currents.

Zigzag transformer
terminates the
harmonics of the power
system.

It also protects the

power system by
reducing the stress of the
voltage under a fault
condition.
Dr.M.Sujith, Assistant Professor/EE, Sanjivani College of Engineering, Kopargaon-423603 98
 Passive filters
• Passive filters are inductance, capacitance, and resistance
elements configured and tuned to control harmonics

• They are employed either to shunt the harmonic currents off the
line or to block their flow between parts of the system by tuning
the elements to create a resonance at a selected frequency.

.
Dr.M.Sujith, Assistant Professor/EE, Sanjivani College of Engineering, Kopargaon-423603 99
 Passive filters

• Shunt passive filters

• Series passive filters
• Low pass broadband filters
• C-filter

Dr.M.Sujith, Assistant Professor/EE, Sanjivani College of Engineering, Kopargaon-423603 100

 Shunt passive filters
• The most common type of passive filter is the single- tuned
“notch” filter. This is the most economical type and is
frequently sufficient for the application

• The notch filter is series-tuned to present low impedance to

a particular harmonic current and is connected in shunt with
the power system.

• Thus, harmonic currents are diverted from their normal flow

path on the line through the filter.

Notch filters can provide power factor

correction in addition to harmonic suppression

Dr.M.Sujith, Assistant Professor/EE, Sanjivani College of Engineering, Kopargaon-423603 101

 Example of a common 480-V filter arrangement
Dr.M.Sujith, Assistant Professor/EE, Sanjivani College of Engineering, Kopargaon-423603 102
 Series passive filters
• A series passive filter is connected in series with the load and used to
block a single harmonic current

• The inductance and capacitance are connected in parallel and are tuned
to provide high impedance at a selected harmonic frequency.

• The high impedance then blocks the flow of harmonic currents at the
tuned frequency only.

• At fundamental frequency, the filter would be designed to yield a low

impedance, thereby allowing the fundamental current to follow with only
minor additional impedance and losses.

Dr.M.Sujith, Assistant Professor/EE, Sanjivani College of Engineering, Kopargaon-423603 103

 Low-pass broadband filters
• Multiple stages of both series and shunt filters are often
required in practical applications.
• Designing a shunt or series filter to eliminate or reduce these
widespread and time-varying harmonics would be very
difficult using shunt filters.

Dr.M.Sujith, Assistant Professor/EE, Sanjivani College of Engineering, Kopargaon-423603 104

 C filters

• C filters are an alternative to low-pass broadband filters in

reducing multiple harmonic frequencies simultaneously in
industrial and utility systems.

• They can attenuate a wide range of steady state and time-

varying harmonic and inter harmonic frequencies generated by
electronic converters, induction furnaces, cycloconverters,
and the like.

Dr.M.Sujith, Assistant Professor/EE, Sanjivani College of Engineering, Kopargaon-423603 105

 Active filters
• Active filters are relatively new types of devices for eliminating
harmonics. They are based on sophisticated power electronics
and are much more expensive than passive filters.
• Active filters can typically be programmed to correct for the
power factor as well as harmonics

Dr.M.Sujith, Assistant Professor/EE, Sanjivani College of Engineering, Kopargaon-423603 106

 IEEE and IEC Standards
• IEEE Standard 519-1992 represents a consensus of guidelines
and recommended practices by the utilities and their customers
in minimizing and controlling the impact of harmonics generated
by nonlinear loads.

Dr.M.Sujith, Assistant Professor/EE, Sanjivani College of Engineering, Kopargaon-423603 107

 Harmonic voltage distortion limits in Percent
of Nominal Fundamental Frequency Voltage

Dr.M.Sujith, Assistant Professor/EE, Sanjivani College of Engineering, Kopargaon-423603 108

Dr.M.Sujith, Assistant Professor/EE, Sanjivani College of Engineering, Kopargaon-423603 109
 Overview of IEC standards on harmonics
■ Part 1: General. These standards deal with general
considerations such as introduction, fundamental principles,
rationale, definitions, and terminologies. Their designation
number is IEC 61000-1-x.

■ Part 2: Environment. These standards define characteristics of

the environment where equipment will be applied, the
classification of such environment, and its compatibility levels.
Their designation number is IEC 61000-2-x.

■ Part 3: Limits. These standards define the permissible levels

of emissions that can be generated by equipment connected to the
environment. They set numerical emission limits and also
immunity
Dr.M.Sujith, Assistant limits.
Professor/EE,Their designation
Sanjivani College number is IEC 61000-3-x. 110
of Engineering, Kopargaon-423603
 ■ Part 4: Testing and measurement techniques. These
standards provide detailed guidelines for measurement equipment
and test procedures to ensure compliance with the other parts of
the standards. Their designation number is IEC 61000-4-x.

■ Part 5: Installation and mitigation guidelines. These

standards provide guidelines in application of equipment such as
earthing and cabling of electrical and electronic systems for
ensuring electromagnetic compatibility among electrical and
electronic apparatus or systems. They are designated with IEC
61000-5- x.

■ Part 6: Miscellaneous. These standards are generic standards

defining immunity and emission levels required for equipment
in general categories or for specific types of equipment. Their
designation number is IEC 61000-6-x.
Dr.M.Sujith, Assistant Professor/EE, Sanjivani College of Engineering, Kopargaon-423603 111
 • Harmonic sources from commercial and industrial loads –
• Locating harmonic sources
• Power system response characteristics
• Harmonics Vs transients.
• Effect of harmonics
• Harmonic distortion - Voltage and current distortions
• Harmonic indices - Inter harmonics -Resonance
• Harmonic distortion evaluation,
• IEEE and IEC standards

Dr.M.Sujith, Assistant Professor/EE, Sanjivani College of Engineering, Kopargaon-423603 112