European J ournal of Scientific Research

ISSN 1450-216X Vol.27 No.3 (2009), pp.392-399

EuroJ ournals Publishing, Inc. 2009
http://www.eurojournals.com/ejsr.htm

Compensation Capacitors Effect on Harmonics Distribution in
Electrical Networks


Hamoudi Moncef
Department of Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Sciences Engineering
University of Annaba; B.P. 12, 23000, Algeria
E-mail: hamoudi.moncef@hotmail.com

Labar Hocine
Department of Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Sciences Engineering
University of Annaba; B.P. 12, 23000, Algeria


Abstract

The problem of controlling power quality is becoming more relevant because of the
widespread use of non-linear and time-varying single-phase or three-phase loads that
increasingly affect the operation of distribution networks in residential, commercial and
industrial areas. Power quality deterioration is due to harmonic distortion, unbalance,
flicker.. Among these issues, harmonics are investigated more accurately in this article.
The classical techniques for studying harmonic propagation consider only the basic
components. So this work takes into account the interactions among them through the
electrical network, witch causes harmonic Load Flow


Keywords: Harmonics; power quality; no linear load; compensation; electrical networks.

1. Introduction
Power system harmonics are defined as sinusoidal voltages and currents for each harmonic frequency
that are integer and multiple of fundamental frequency [1]. The rationale is to maintain a global
acceptable electromagnetic environment that coordinates the setting of emission and immunity limits
[2]. This is achieved using reference levels of electromagnetic disturbance (electromagnetic
compatibility) [9]. So all equipment intended to operate in such environment are required to have
immunity at least at the margin limits recommended by the international norms [5,6] (European ,
American or else)
This limit depends also on the concept of planning level in order to coordinate those limits with
the limits adopted for equipment intended to be connected to the power system [3]. Again, the planning
level is generally lower than the compatibility level, takes into count the structure and electrical
characteristics of the considered network [4]. This margin is necessary to make allowance for possible
system resonance and for an upward in the level on the network due to future connected loads. Such
loads include computers and other electronics equipments as the adjusted speed motors or all switched
mode power supplies [7,8]
In order to describe harmonics features we study first a simplified circuit fig.1
Compensation Capacitors Effect on Harmonics Distribution in Electrical Networks 393

Figure 1: No linear load

V
S
V
A


Source Load


Under non linear condition the load voltage V
A
can be replaced by the three components
derived from Fourier transformation [10].
1 0 A A Ah A
v v v v = + +

Where:
1 1 1
2 sin( )
A A
v V t = +
Is the fundamental component
2
2 sin( )
n
Ah Ah h
h
v V h t
=
= +

Is the harmonic voltage
And
0
0
1
T
A A DC
v v dt V
T
= =

Is the dc voltage
The most common harmonic index, which relates to the voltage waveform, is the THD, defined
as:
2
2
1
100%
n
Ah
h
V
A
V
THD
V
=
=


Where Vn is the single frequency RMS voltage at harmonic n , and V1 is the fundamental line
to neutral RMS voltage.
The waveform distortion can also affect the supplied power. So in order to define another
power quality index, one can divide the apparent power into three orthogonal components [11,12].
The active power generated by the feeder is
1 1 1
cos( )
S
P VI =

In matrix form the total transmitted power to load can be written as follow
[ ]
^
1
^
2
1 2
^
^
.
. .
.
A
A
S A A Ah An
Ah
An
i
i
P v v v v
i
i





=







So the power supplied to the load can be simplified as
1 0 A A Ah A
P P P P = + +

Where
1 1 1 1 1
cos( )
A A A
P V I =

394 Hamoudi Moncef and Labar Hocine
Is the fundamental component of the power.
2
sin( )
n
Ah Ah h h h
h
P V I
=
=

Is the harmonics power
And
0 0 A DC
P V I =

Is the dc power


2. Studied Model
To show the effect propagation of harmonics in the electrical networks we propose a transmission line
model Fig.2 in witch the principal feeder supply two types of loads one linear and the other nonlinear,
separating by an AC link

Figure 2: Simulation model



Un=30 KV S=(2,5+j1)MVA
3 2 1 0,02%

Scc=350 MVA Scc=150 MVA
Qc Pdc=0,5 W

3. Simulation Results and Analysis:
After simulating the proposed model for different capacitors compensation, we can note, that the
flowing reactive and active power (fig.3,4) dont take a linear variation, according to increasing
compensation, this is due to harmonics interactions characterized by the distorted power D.
Compensation Capacitors Effect on Harmonics Distribution in Electrical Networks 395

Figure 3: Active power lines for different reactive power compensation


a/ node 1

b/ node 2

c/ node 3

396 Hamoudi Moncef and Labar Hocine
Figure 4: Reactive power lines for different reactive power compensation


a/ node 1

b/ node 2

c/ node 3

The placement of compensation capacitors occur resonance with the electrical network
branches. For example, for Qc=0,2 MVAR it can seen series resonance, causing a magnification of
THDV at measurement nodes 1 & 2 (fig.5,6). but at Qc=0,4 MVAR it can seen a parallel resonance,
causing a magnification of THDV at node 2 and an attenuation of THDI flowing the branch (1-2)
(fig.5,6).
Compensation Capacitors Effect on Harmonics Distribution in Electrical Networks 397

Figure 5: Total Harmonic Distortion of voltage nodes for different reactive power compensation


a/ node 1

b/ node 2 & 3

398 Hamoudi Moncef and Labar Hocine
Figure 6: Total Harmonic Distortion of current lines for different reactive power compensation


a/ node 1


b/ node 2


c/ node 3



4. Conclusion
One of the important power quality is the harmonics continents, identified as THD. So with the great
development of semiconductors the nonlinear loads grow continuously and the particularity of these
types of loads is the worst waveform of its current consumption.
Because of the voltage loss, feeder implies compensation in order to reduce the power flow. Our work
deal to the following recommendations:
Before implementation of compensation capacitors in the electrical networks, one mast make a
care attention in the choice of capacitors size and placement, because it can causes series or/and
parallel resonance between the network branches and the compensator for an existing harmonic.
Compensation Capacitors Effect on Harmonics Distribution in Electrical Networks 399

With harmonics consideration the power factor (pf) dont follow a linear profile for different
values of qc, so d must be taken in a count.
The voltage waveform is less altered then the currents, so in this case of transmission line we
prefer improve power quality by the implementation of parallel filter
Because of the relationship of harmonics and the electrical parameters including compensation,
every new project must restudy the behaviour of the all network.


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