POWER DERATING

as a function of harmonic content

Harmonic currents circulating in transformer windings cause additional losses which are of several types:
Joule effect losses: the increase in rms value of the overall current to include harmonics creates
supplementary Joule effect losses in winding conductors; this causes overheating of the equipment
and, consequently, accelerated ageing.
Eddy current losses: these losses are due to the variation in magnetic flux creating an electromotive
force which causes a circular current to flow in the conductors. The electromotive force is
proportional to the square of the frequency. These high-frequency currents can therefore produce
eddy current losses which are significant.
Iron losses: transformers operate at relatively high flux densities and close to the saturation knee.
An increase in the peak value of the current due to the presence of harmonics can cause an increase in
flux density reaching to or even exceeding the saturation knee; the result is an increase in iron losses
and further deformation of the primary current waveform.
In order to take account of the presence of harmonic currents, transformer power ratings must be
corrected in accordance with the table below.
Harmonic order K1 K4 K9 K13
h1 100 % 91 % 80 % 49 %
h3 0 % 34 % 59 % 72 %
h5 0 % 22 % 38 % 43 %
h7 0 % 10 % 15 % 21 %
h9 0 % 4 % 7 % 9 %
h11 0 % 3 % 3 % 4 %
h13 0 % 2 % 2 % 3 %
Regarding the harmonics rate on the electrical net we manufacture the transformer with the coefficient
K4, K9, K13 to find the same using of works than one normal transformers which is transformer K1 rate.
This calculations to obtain the same looses than one transformer K1.
Designed to handle following percentages of fundamental and harmonics without exceeding temperature
rise limits :
K4 K7 K13 K20
Fundamental 60 Hertz
91% 80% 50% 50%
3rd harmonic
34% 51% 72% 50%
5th harmonic
22% 29% 43% 65%
7th harmonic
10% 13% 21% 25%
9th harmonic
4% 10% 9% 20%
11th harmonic
3% 3% 4% 4%
13th harmonic
2% 2% 3% 3%
15th harmonic
2% 2% 3% 3%
17th harmonic
1% 1% 2% 2%
K = In (pu)h
h = harmonic
I = RMS current of
harmonic