Line Harmonic Currents Adjustable Frequency

Control Created
Data Center Load Banks

Loadbanks, AC and DC, resistive and reactive, from 50 kW to 50 MW

Line
Line Harmonic
Harmonic Currents
Currents Adjustable
Adjustable Frequency
Frequency Control
Control Created
Created (on
(on photo:
photo: 400V
400V real-time
real-time passive
passive harmonic
harmonic filter;
filter; via
via
enspecpower.com)
enspecpower.com)

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Nonlinear loads
Nonlinear loads like adjustable frequency controls create line harmonics when connected to the AC power distribution system. These harmonic currents
are a result of non-sinusoidal current, which is a characteristic of all adjustable frequency controls using diodes or silicon controlled rectifiers (SCRs)
on the input.
The controls input current is composed of the fundamental sinusoidal current (50 or 60 Hz) and currents at frequencies higher than the fundamental
frequency. These harmonic currents do not aid in the transmission of power to the connected load, but contribute to the volt-ampere losses in the
power distribution system.
Some of the negative effects of AC line harmonics if not properly addressed are:
1.
2.
3.
4.

Possible
Possible
Possible
Possible

interference with communication equipment.

overheating of transformers and other branch circuit equipment.
increased heating in motors connected across-the-line due to copper and iron losses.
resonance with power factor capacitors.

The AC input line harmonic current magnitudes may vary with control designs. The power distribution system impedance at the installation and the
controls input design determines the actual magnitude of line harmonic currents. Because of these variables, it is difficult to suggest general guidelines
to predict the magnitude of the line harmonic currents. When the actual harmonic current values are required, the control manufacturer should be
consulted.

When AC line harmonic currents exist in a power distribution system, the harmonic currents may be amplified through
frequency resonance of power factor correction capacitors with transformer inductance to cause equipment failures.

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AA point
point of
of common
common coupling
coupling (PCC)
(PCC) isis the
the interconnection
interconnection between
between
two
two utility
utility customers
customers (photo
(photo credit:
credit: ecmweb.com)
ecmweb.com)

Harmonic distortion levels as stated in IEEE 519 are intended to be applied at the Point of Common Coupling (PCC) between the utility
system and multiple users. Harmonic distortion levels can be measured or predicted through modeling techniques of the power distribution
system and the total connected adjustable speed drive system.

The harmonic voltage and current distortion values at the PCC may be reduced through several abatement methods that include:

1. Design Techniques
Power system design decreasing the drive system load, as a percentage of the total power distribution network load will improve harmonic voltage
distortion conditions.
DC Link choke/inductor an inherent design feature within some controls, provides a minimum level of harmonic reduction by changing the rate of rise
of the input current.

2. Line Impedance
AC line reactor based upon the percent of line impedance, provides a lower amplitude of harmonic currents by slowing down the rate of rise of input
current pulses, similar to DC link choke.
Drive Isolation Transformer provides similar performance to an AC line reactor with the additional power quality benefit of being able to adjust the
voltage magnitude.

3. Multi-pulse methods/converter design topologies

Phase multiplication involves the use of a phase-shifting transformer for feeding multi-pulse control inputs. By properly shifting the phase relationship
to various 6-pulse controls, the net effect in the power system is to create a 12-pulse circuit with cancellation of the 5th and 7th characteristic harmonics.
However, this method is most effective when the motor loads are of equal size and load.
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12-pulse rectifier a control that utilizes a dual 6-pulse rectifier network with a phase shifting transformer for proper commutation of the dual bridges.
Similar to phase multiplication, the net effect is cancellation of the 5th, 7th, 17th, and 19th characteristic harmonics.

Inverter
Inverter output
output AC
AC line
line reactor
reactor

18-pulse rectifier a control that utilizes three 6-pulse rectifier networks with phase shifting transformers for proper commutation. This results in an
improved waveform, cancellation of lower order 5th, 7th, 11th, 13th, 23rd, 25th, 29th, and 31st characteristic harmonics.
Active rectifier input a control that incorporates gate controlled power semi-conductors in the input rectifier stage to shape the input current
waveform, to a sinusoidal current waveform symmetrical to the voltage.

This method of harmonic abatement is the most complex. A microprocessor controller is required for gate control of the input power
semi-conductors.

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4. Harmonic Filters
Shunt filters passive filters that are properly designed and for the 5th, 7th, and 13th harmonics can effectively reduce the harmonic currents in a power
distribution system. Each filter consists of a series LC circuit, tuned to resonate at a specific harmonic frequency acting as a low impedance path shunting
the source of harmonics.

400V
400V real-time
real-time passive
passive harmonic
harmonic filter
filter (photo
(photo credit:
credit: enspecpower.com)
enspecpower.com)

Specific site application considerations apply since the filter cannot distinguish between the harmonics from the control equipment, other external power
system harmonics, or additional installed control equipment.
Series filters these filters consist of a parallel LC circuit tuned to resonate a specific frequency, similar to a shunt filter. The series reactor acts to detune other power distribution system harmonics from being trapped by the passive filter.
Harmonic injection adaptive compensators are designed to constantly monitor the AC line input current to the control by injecting a current equal in
frequency/magnitude and 180 out phase to the distorted current. This action will cause cancellation of the line harmonic currents.

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Active filters designed primarily for multiple non-linear harmonic loads, monitoring dynamic load conditions and switching necessary VAR
compensation.

Harmonics: What are they, why do I care, how do I solve?

Reactive Power Contol
Learn How Utilities Control Reactive Power. Watch Now!

Cant see this video? Click here to watch it on Youtube.

Reference: NEMA Standards Publication Application Guide For AC Adjustable Speed Drive Systems

PLC Control

DC Filter

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Filters AC

EMI Filter

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Article Tags //

Filed Under Category //

ac line reactor, harmonic currents, interference, line harmonic currents,

line impedance, motor, rectier,

Energy and Power Variable Speed Drives

About Author //
Edvard Csanyi
Edvard - Electrical engineer, programmer and founder of EEP. Highly specialized for design of LV high power busbar
trunking (<6300A) in power substations, buildings and industry fascilities. Designing of LV/MV switchgears. Professional in
AutoCAD programming and web-design. Present on Google+

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Senthilkumar
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DipakRami

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Parthasarathy.S
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