The Eects of Harmonics in

Power Systems and Methods to

Reduce or Eliminate Them
Wilbur N. Dale, Ph.D., P.E.
wilburd@rstVA.com
March 15, 2012

Overview

Introduction

Analysis of Harmonics

Sources of Harmonics

Tolerating Harmonics

Eliminating Harmonics
2

Introduction

Fourier series properties

Harmonic relationships

Fundamental Theorem of Engineering

Fourier Series Properties

v(t) =
i(t) =

X
k=1

X

2Vk cos (kt + k)

2Ik cos (kt + k)

k=1

Typically, we do not see a DC term.

We see only odd harmonics (half-wave symmetry).

Fourier Series Properties

v
u
uX
u
VRMS = t
Vk2
k=1
v
u
uX
u
I2k
IRMS = t
k=1

VkIk cos (k k)

P=

k=1

Harmonic relationships
The Fourier coecients for a 1piecewise

continuous signal decrease at the rate of O k .
Theorem 2 The Fourier coecients for a continuous
signal decrease at the rate of at least O k1 .
Theorem 3 Narrow current pulses are rich in harmonics.
Theorem 1

Fundamental Theorem of
Engineering
Follow the money.
Corollary 1 Revenue is good.
Corollary 2 Costs are bad.
Theorem 4

Analysis of Harmonics
+

2VRMS cos t

Non-linear
load

Analysis of Harmonics
+

2VRMS cos t

Non-linear
load

Analysis of Harmonics

p(t) = v(t)i(t) =
=

2V1 cos(t)

2Ik cos(kt + k)

k=1

V1Ik [cos((k + 1)t + k)

k=1

+ cos((k 1)t + k)]

= V1I1 cos(1) + V1I2 cos(t + 2)

X
+
V1Ik1 cos(kt + k1)
+

k=2

V1Ik+1 cos(kt + k+1) = T (t)

k=2

10

Analysis of Harmonics

Average P = V1I1 cos(1).

Harmonic currents do not transfer power from the
generator to the load.
Harmonic currents do generate losses in the distribution system.
Harmonic currents cause torsional vibrations in the
generator shaft. There is a danger of fatigue fracture.
11

Analysis of Harmonics

In three phase systems, a balanced non-linear load

will have generator vibrations only at the triplen
frequencies.
If the balanced load also has odd half-wave symmetry, the generator vibration will be only at the
sextuplen frequencies.

12

Analysis of Harmonics
+

2VRMS cos t

Linear
load

Non-linear
load

13

Analysis of Harmonics
Transmission
line
+

2VRMS cos t

Linear
load

Fundamental
current

Harmonic
currents

14

Analysis of Harmonics
Transmission
line

Linear
load

Harmonic
currents

15

Analysis of Harmonics

Harmonic currents cause losses throughout the network.

Harmonic currents cause larger RMS voltage drops
in the lines.

16

Analysis of Harmonics
For inductors:
v
v
u
u
uX
uX
u
u
2
VRMS = t
Vk = t
I2kX2L
k=1
k=1
v
v
u
u
uX
uX
u
u
2
2
Ik (kL) = t
I2kk22L2
=t
k=1
k=1
v
u
uX
u
I2kk2
= Lt
k=1
v
u   
uX
1 2 2
u
Lt
O
k
k=1

17

Analysis of Harmonics
For 3-phase neutral currents:

2IRMS cos (kt + k)






T
+ 2IRMS cos k t
+ k
3




T
+ 2IRMS cos k t +
+ k
3




2k
= 2IRMS cos (kt + k) 1 + 2 cos
3

= 3 2IRMS cos (kt + k) if k mod 3 = 0

IA + IB + I C =

=0

otherwise

18

Sources of Harmonics

+
2VRMS cos t

19

Sources of Harmonics

+
2VRMS cos t

20

Tolerating Harmonics
Previously:
v
u
uX
u
VRMS = Lt
I2kk2
k=1

Can we reduce L?
Simple case of two parallel wires.
d
0
0
2 ln
+ 2 ln 2 + 1
L =
4

 

where d is the center to center distance between the

wires and is the diameter of the wires.
21

Tolerating Harmonics

Smallest realizable inductance occurs with d = .

0
(2 ln 2 + 1)
L0min = 4

L0min

is not aected by wire size.

Use several smaller cables and connect in parallel.

22

Tolerating Harmonics
1015
IEEE Recommended Practice for

Applying Low
Voltage Circuit
Breakers Used in
Industrial and
Commercial Power
Systems

Published by the
Institute of Electrical and
Electronics Engineers, Inc.

IEEE Std 1015-2006

(Revision of
IEEE Std 1015-1997)

Authorized licensed use limited to: Wilbur Dale. Downloaded on June 30,2010 at 04:20:08 UTC from IEEE Xplore. Restrictions apply.

23

Tolerating Harmonics

Circuit breakers vs. fuses:

Capacitor banks are a low impedance path.

Resistance welding machines.

Modern microprocessor controlled breakers.

I2t.

24

Tolerating Harmonics
1100
IEEE Recommended Practice for

Powering and
Grounding
Electronic
Equipment

Published by the
Institute of Electrical and
Electronics Engineers, Inc.

IEEE Std 1100-2005

(Revision of
IEEE Std 1100-1999)

Authorized licensed use limited to: Wilbur Dale. Downloaded on June 30,2010 at 04:09:21 UTC from IEEE Xplore. Restrictions apply.

25

Tolerating Harmonics
K=

kX
max

(Ikk)2

15 < kmax < 34

k=1

Ik

is in per-unit of transformer ratings.

Non-linear load transformers with larger neutral conductors and temperature tolerance.

26

Eliminating Harmonics

Delta-Wye eliminates triplen harmonics by absorption.

Wye-Wye zigzag eliminates triplen harmonics and
the 5th and 7th.

27

Eliminating Harmonics
Change the load.
Power factor correction power supplies are switching
power supplies with near unit power factor and low harmonic
  content. In addition, the harmonics fall o at
O 12 .
k

28