HARMONIC MITIGATION MEASURES

Harmonic mitigation measures are required to:

Meet local harmonic emission limits

Reduce overloading of, e.g., cables and transformers

Improve resilience of equipment by reducing voltage waveform distortion

Correct sizing of neutral conductors and transformers will eliminate the risk of
overheating while careful circuit separation will help to minimize voltage distortion.
These are wise and necessary steps to take to protect the installation but they do not
help to meet the local emission limits for which further steps are necessary.
Mitigation methods fall broadly into three groups; passive filters, isolation and harmonic
reduction transformers and active solutions. Each approach has advantages and
disadvantages, so there is no single best solution.

PASSIVE SHUNT FILTERS

Passive filters are used to provide a low impedance path for harmonic currents so that
they flow in the filter and not the supply (Figure 17). The filter may be designed for a
single harmonic or for a broad band depending on requirements.
Figure 17 - Passive harmonic shunt filter
Sometimes it is necessary to design a more complex filter to increase the series
impedance at harmonic frequencies and so reduce the proportion of current that flows
back onto the supply, as shown in Figure 18.

Figure 18- Passive series and shunt filters

Shunt filters reduce the harmonic current flowing back on to the supply, but do not
reduce (and may increase) the effect of harmonic current in neutrals or the effect on
transformers. Usually, shunt filters are designed to control a few lower order harmonics
and are integrated with the power factor correction equipment.
The use of multiple shunt filters in a single installation can be problematic and is usually
avoided.

PASSIVE SERIES FILTERS

Simple series band stop filters are sometimes proposed, either in the phase or in the
neutral. A series filter is intended to block harmonic currents rather than provide a
controlled path for them so there is a large harmonic voltage drop across it. This
harmonic voltage appears across the supply on the load side. Since the supply voltage is
heavily distorted it is no longer within the standards for which equipment was designed
and warranted. Some items of equipment are relatively insensitive to this distortion, but
others are very sensitive. Series filters can be useful in certain circumstances, but should
be carefully applied; they cannot be recommended as a general purpose solution.

ISOLATION TRANSFORMERS
As mentioned previously, triple-N currents circulate in the delta windings of transformers.
Although this is a problem for transformer manufacturers and specifiers - the extra load
has to be taken into account it is beneficial to systems designers because it isolates
triple-N harmonics from the supply.
Figure 19 - Delta star isolation transformer
The same effect can be obtained by using a zig-zag wound transformer. Zig-zag
transformers are star configuration auto transformers with a particular phase relationship
between the windings that are connected in shunt with the supply.
Delta and zig-zag transformers reduce only triple-N harmonics.

ACTIVE HARMONIC CONDITIONERS

As shown in Figure 20, the active harmonic conditioner (AHC) is a shunt device. A current
transformer measures the harmonic content of the load current, and controls a current
generator to produce an exact replica that is fed back onto the supply on the next cycle.
Since the harmonic current is sourced from the active conditioner, only fundamental
current is drawn from the supply. In practice, harmonic current magnitudes can be
reduced by 90 % and, because the source impedance at harmonic frequencies is
reduced, voltage distortion is reduced.
Because the AHC is a digital device it is very flexible and can be programmed as
required. It is for example possible to set the device to reduce specific harmonics or all
harmonics. Since the harmonic current is continuously measured the conditioner quickly
responds to changes in the nature of the load.
Several AHCs can be installed in the same installation each measures and responds
only to its own output current so there is no risk of mutual interference.
Figure 20 - Principle of actine Conditioner Operation Publication No Cu0119 Issue Date: November
2011 Page 18

CONCLUSION
Virtually all modern electrical and electronic equipment involves some form of power
control and so is a non-linear load. Linear loads are comparatively rare undimmed
filament bulbs and uncontrolled heaters being the only common examples.
A range of design strategies and mitigation techniques are available to mitigate the
effects of harmonics in installations and to comply with any harmonic pollution
regulations. Each successful strategy to prevent future problems will be a combination of
good design practice, the right electrical equipment, and good maintenance.