Harmonics (SSHTB 081101EN)

TECHNICAL BULLETIN
BULLETIN ID : SSHTB-081101EN DATE: 11.12.2013

SUBJECT : HARMONICS
The use of semiconductor technologies in generator set applications is increasing due to the
developments in semiconductor technologies.
Semiconductor technology usage in generator set applications brings lots of developments, but on the
other hand it may have real serious disadvantages if necessary precautions are not taken.
This bulletin is prepared to give brief information about one of these disadvantages to be taken care
of; “Harmonics”. Harmonics issue is a very important result of semiconductor technologies and must
be taken care of for sure.
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Harmonics
Harmonics of a wave are basically defined as the electrical signals whose frequencies are integer
multiples of this wave’s (fundamental) frequency. Suppose an electrical signal with a frequency “f”. Then
the signals that have multiples of this frequency (2f, 3f, 4f…) are its harmonics.
Ideally, every load supplied from mains, generator set or an UPS is assumed as a basic resistor. In other
words every electrical load is assumed to be linear and drawing current in pure sine waveform. Every
electrical calculations about any load is made with this assumption.
Linear Load
A linear load is the type of load which draws current from a power source in a non-distorted waveform.
In other words, if the current drawn from power source is in the same waveform with the voltage applied
to the load, then this means we are using a linear load.
An example of an ideal sine shaped current wave
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TECHNICAL BULLETIN

SUBJECT : HARMONICS
Nonlinear Loads
These are the load types which include semiconductor devices such as diode, thyristor or IGBT. The
current drawn by non-linear loads is in a distorted waveform.
A distorted current waveform (Using a non-linear load)

These type of loads draw current in particular time periods by cropping current waveforms. The current
drawn by these loads is not continuous.
Harmonics occurrence in a voltage or current signal may cause many problems.

How to calculate harmonic currents
First of all, like every periodical every electrical signal, distorted waves can be defined as the sum of
some sinusoidal waves at various frequencies. (Fourier Analysis) See the example below;
Two (periodical) pure sine waves forming up to one single distorted one.
On the left side of the figure above, there is a simply distorted signal waveform. And according to
“Fourier”, this signal is the sum of two following ones.
1- Pure sine wave at a fundamental frequency: It is the signal shown in the middle. It is a pure sine
wave, has no distortion on it and it is at a fundamental frequency (for example 50Hz).
2- 3rd Harmonic: It is the signal shown on the right side of the figure. It is also a periodical, pure sine
wave. And its frequency is 3 times the fundamental one (for example 3x50Hz= 150Hz).
Note: Frequency of every harmonic, is equal to its harmonic order (1 st, 3rd, 5th, 7th …) multiplied by the
fundamental frequency. So if the fundamental frequency is 50 Hz, then frequency of 3 rd harmonic is
150Hz, frequency of 5th harmonic is 25 and so on…
TECHNICAL BULLETIN

SUBJECT : HARMONICS
As you may have noticed, harmonic orders are all odd numbers. Because, harmonics with even
coefficients are neglected for being at values that are very close to zero during “Fourier Analysis”.
If there are any even order harmonics within an electrical signal, then it means that the symmetry
between this signal's (+) and (-) alternans is lost. In other words, this AC signal has DC components
within it. This is a very dangerous case for an electrical system and should be avoided using filters etc…
RMS value of an electrical signal is the sum of the values of all fundamental and harmonic components.
RMS value is calculated as follows;
As seen in the formula, harmonic filtering will decrease the RMS value of a current signal. Lower RMS
value will be beneficial in terms of power saving. This power saving unfortunately is not about active
power, it is only a gain of reactive power.
Total Harmonic Distortion;

It is a term about the percentage of the deviation between distorted signal and its 1st order
(fundamental) harmonic. It can be calculated as follows;
TECHNICAL BULLETIN

SUBJECT : HARMONICS
Examples on Nonlinear Loads:
 Motor drives (Speed Control Devices), • Welding machines,

 Uninterruptable power supplies (UPS), • Fluorescent luminaires,
 PC and office equipment, • DC motors
 PLC, control and automation systems, • Rectifiers and battery chargers,
 Systems controlled using thyristors,
Disadvantages of Harmonics
Distorted current signals drawn from any source will have negative effects on the source side
(mains/generator).
Voltage Distortions;
Single line diagram of a power source (generator set or main line) can be seen in figure below;
TECHNICAL BULLETIN

SUBJECT : HARMONICS
As seen in this figure; every power source (main line or generator) can be modelled with an ideal e.m.f.
source (Electromotive Force) and an impedance. Ideally, every power source has an e.m.f. source with
no internal resistance. However since ideality is not real at all, an impedance connected in series is used
in the model for symbolizing the internal losses of the power source.
According to Ohm’s Law (V=IxR) everything has a resistance against electricity and voltage drop occurs
due to this resistance if a current passes through. So, there will be a voltage drop when the undesired
electrical current harmonics pass through the internal resistance (Zs) of any power source. This voltage
drop will result in power losses which will make the efficiency of the system decrease. So harmonics may
have some serious disadvantages on electrical systems for sure.
Current harmonics cause voltage drops and distortions at the output terminals of any power source
having internal impedance. So all loads connected to these output terminals of the power source, will be
supplied with a distorted voltage signal.
The distortion rate of the voltage at the output terminals of any power source must be lower than %2,
so that the loads connected to these terminals may operate safely. Here are some problems caused by
higher distortion rates (THD – Total Harmonic Distortion);
 Electronic board or equipment faults,

 Operation faults about mechanical devices,
 Power source faults or breakdowns.
Voltage harmonics may affect your system, even if you do not have any load that draws distorted
current from your power source. Any load that draws large amounts of current harmonics nearby your
electrical system, will affect your electrical system remotely through the MV or LV line. So it is always
recommended to use harmonic filters for a full protection against harmonics.
TECHNICAL BULLETIN

SUBJECT : HARMONICS
Possible problems caused by harmonics;

 Current harmonics may cause instantaneous rise-ups, peaks or distortions in voltage signal
especially in systems with high power capacity.
 Current harmonics cause extra reactive current draw from the source, so they make the efficiency
of the power system decrease.
 Reactive current drawn from the source due to harmonics, causes overheating problems in
electrical network, especially in cables.
 Harmonics contain high-frequency components (150Hz for 3th Harmonics, 250Hz for 5th) so they
cause skin-effect on cables. Skin-effect makes the current flow only through the section which is nearer
to the surface of the cable. So it results in a decrease in the cross sectional area of transmission.
Overheating problems may occur due to this lower cross sectional area of transmission.
 Current harmonics increase the risk of resonance between the electrical components connected
on the same bus bar. This may cause over current problems in such a system. Any electrical equipment
or cable may breakdown due to this over-current problems. Also circuit breakers may switch on/off
abnormally and cause a major damage on the system. Of course all these breakdown, fault or damage
issues will cost extra expense for the user.
 Current harmonics have higher values of amplitude in terms of “Crest Factor”, which means their
peaks are way higher than the nominal RMS current. High crest factor may make circuit breakers switch
or trip unexpectedly. User has two options in such a case; take no precautions and pay the price for it
when any fault occurs, or take precautions and use unnecessarily higher-rated equipment while building
the system.
 Harmonics cause detonation and overheating issues on electric motors, or maybe faults on main
bearing of the electric motors. They also may cause vibration on PC monitors or illumination systems.
 Harmonics cause reactive current draws as mentioned before. Capacitors are not able to
compensate the reactive power drawn by these harmonics; which leads to a difference between the
actual power factor (cosΦ) and apparent power factor. And this means extra reactive power draw from
the power source.
 They cause problems in compensation systems. (Over-current problems on capacitors, faults on

capacitors or unexpected state changes in compensation switches.)
 Extra reactive power drawn causes hysteresis and eddy-current losses on transformers. Also
overheating and noise related problems may be seen on transformers.
 3th and multiple components of current harmonics flow through the neutral (N) line and cause a
voltage difference between neutral (N) line and ground (GND) line. This may cause improper operation
or faults on electronic devices.
TECHNICAL BULLETIN

SUBJECT : HARMONICS
 When UPS and generator set are both used in a power system, harmonics are directly responsible
for voltage distortions and problems like not operating on full load.
 Harmonics cause power/voltage drops on alternators and overheating on their windings.

 Harmonics cause faulty operations of electronic devices such as GCU, AVR or governor.
 Harmonics may cause faulty operation of the protection systems.
Crest Factor
Crest factor of an electrical waveform is the rate between its peak value and RMS value. For example;
crest factor of an ideal sine wave is equal to 1,41 (√2). In other words peak value of an ideal sine wave
is 1,41 times its RMS value. This means if RMS current or voltage measured is 100 (Amperes or Volts)
for a sine wave, its peak value is 100x1,41=141.
If crest factor value is more than 2, then it may be a problem for any electrical system. So crest factor
value for any electrical signal must be kept under 2 for safety of operation.
The crest factor limitations may change if the waveform of the electrical signal is not pure sine or
distorted somehow.
For example it is 2,5 for a PC; which means if a PC draws 100 mA in RMS, then the peak value of current
drawn must be kept under 250 mA. On the hand for a load that draws 100 A, the peak value of the
current drawn is 140 A. This is the main reason for unexpected state changes in switches or overheating
on cables/transformers.
Solutions for Harmonic Related Problems
 Most effective way of protection against harmonics is to work with a company or person qualified
and experienced about this subject. Then voltage or current harmonics must be measured using “Power
Analyzer Devices”, possible risks must be determined and necessary precautions must be taken with the
help of this professional support.
 Reactance of an alternator can be decreased for preventing voltage distortions and overheating
problems caused by harmonics. And another alternator with higher ratings must be selected in order to
decrease the reactance.
 Total harmonic distortion (%THD) of the system must be measured, calculated and an
appropriate alternator must be chosen due to these measurements and calculations.
 Generally while calculating the alternator capacity, a power rating like 1,5-3 times the load
capacity is used for preventing harmonic related problems.
 Maximum total harmonic distortion (%THD) allowed in alternator applications is %2. If it is more
than this, then a harmonic filter must be used or another alternator with higher ratings must be used.
TECHNICAL BULLETIN

SUBJECT : HARMONICS
 Using a serially connected harmonic filter (with fixed reactor) is the best solution, if harmonic
related problems are thought to be at a worrying level.
Harmonics with no filter usage Harmonics with the use of “Harmonic Filter”
Harmonic filters are specially designed electrical circuits that consist of capacitors and reactors at
particular ratings. It is possible to suppress harmonics with a percentage 90% using filters.
Another filtering option for harmonic related problems is “Active Harmonic Filter”.
Parts of an active harmonic filter are basically;
 IGBT inverter,
 Filter for connection between main line and inverter,
 Main filters,
 Electronic control unit
TECHNICAL BULLETIN

SUBJECT : HARMONICS
How to connect an active harmonic filter to a system
Topics to be considered before selecting an active filter and during its operation are as follows;
 Current transformers measure current waveforms at each phase. Then to avoid harmonics, the
inverter generates the current by regarding these measurements.
(Just inverse of harmonic signals)
 Harmonics are filtered by adding up to their inverses created by active filter.
 Active harmonic filters provide power compensation towards the mains side or generator side
depending on the side they are connected.
 Active filters are categorized by their “harmonic current compensation” abilities. For example an
active filter with 50A rating, can filter harmonics valued up to 50A per phase.
 The harmonic measurements must be done accurately at the side on which the filter will be
connected. Then a filter at an appropriate rating must be chosen for a reliable solution.

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TECHNICAL BULLETIN

BULLETIN ID : SSHTB-081101EN DATE: 11.12.2013

An example of an ideal sine shaped current wave

PUBLISHED BY : TEKSAN After Sales Services PAGE 1/9

BULLETIN ID : SSHTB-081101EN DATE: 11.12.2013

A distorted current waveform (Using a non-linear load)

Harmonics occurrence in a voltage or current signal may cause many problems.

PUBLISHED BY : TEKSAN After Sales Services PAGE 2/9

BULLETIN ID : SSHTB-081101EN DATE: 11.12.2013

Total Harmonic Distortion;

PUBLISHED BY : TEKSAN After Sales Services PAGE 3/9

BULLETIN ID : SSHTB-081101EN DATE: 11.12.2013

Examples on Nonlinear Loads:

 Motor drives (Speed Control Devices), • Welding machines,

PUBLISHED BY : TEKSAN After Sales Services PAGE 4/9

BULLETIN ID : SSHTB-081101EN DATE: 11.12.2013

 Electronic board or equipment faults,

PUBLISHED BY : TEKSAN After Sales Services PAGE 5/9

BULLETIN ID : SSHTB-081101EN DATE: 11.12.2013

Possible problems caused by harmonics;

 They cause problems in compensation systems. (Over-current problems on capacitors, faults on

PUBLISHED BY : TEKSAN After Sales Services PAGE 6/9

BULLETIN ID : SSHTB-081101EN DATE: 11.12.2013

 Harmonics cause power/voltage drops on alternators and overheating on their windings.

Solutions for Harmonic Related Problems

PUBLISHED BY : TEKSAN After Sales Services PAGE 7/9

BULLETIN ID : SSHTB-081101EN DATE: 11.12.2013

Parts of an active harmonic filter are basically;

PUBLISHED BY : TEKSAN After Sales Services PAGE 8/9

BULLETIN ID : SSHTB-081101EN DATE: 11.12.2013

How to connect an active harmonic filter to a system

(Just inverse of harmonic signals)

 Harmonics are filtered by adding up to their inverses created by active filter.

PUBLISHED BY : TEKSAN After Sales Services PAGE 9/9

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