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Harmonics. What are they? What do they do?

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By Edvard | January, 27th 2016 | 20 comments | Save to PDF

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What are harmonics?

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The harmonics allow to represent any periodic waveform. In fact, according to Fourier’s
theorem, any periodic function of a period T may be represented as a summation of:

Harmonics.
Harmonics. What
What are
are they?
they? What
What do
do they
they do?
do? (photo
(photo credit:
credit: ElPaso
ElPaso TubeAmps
TubeAmps via
via Youtube)
Youtube)

A sinusoid with the same period T;

Some sinusoids with the same frequency as whole multiples of the fundamental;
A possible continuous component, if the function has an average value not null in the
period.

The harmonic with frequency corresponding to the period of

the original waveform is called fundamental and the
harmonic with frequency equal to “n” times that of the
fundamental is called harmonic component of order “n”.

A perfectly sinusoidal waveform complying with Fourier’s theorem does not present harmonic
components of order different from the fundamental one.

Therefore, it is understandable how there are no harmonics in an electrical system when the
waveforms of current and voltage are sinusoidal. On the contrary, the presence of harmonics
in an electrical system is an index of the distortion of the voltage or current waveform and
this implies such a distribution of the electric power that malfunctioning of equipment and
protective devices can be caused.

To summarize: the harmonics are nothing less than the components of a distorted
waveform and their use allows us to analyse any periodic nonsinusoidal waveform
through different sinusoidal waveform components.

Figure 1 below shows a graphical representation of this concept.

Figure
Figure 11 –– Graphical
Graphical representation
representation of
of harmonics
harmonics

How harmonics are generated?

Harmonics are generated by nonlinear loads. When we apply a sinusoidal voltage to a load
of this type, we shall obtain a current with non-sinusoidal waveform. The diagram of Figure 2
illustrates an example of nonsinusoidal current waveform due to a nonlinear load:

Figure
Figure 22 –– Left:
Left: Linear
Linear load
load waveform;
waveform; Right:
Right: Non-linear
Non-linear load
load waveform
waveform

This nonsinusoidal waveform can be deconstructed into harmonics. If the network

impedances are very low, the voltage distortion resulting from a harmonic current is low too
and rarely it is above the pollution level already present in the network. As a consequence,
the voltage can remain practically sinusoidal also in the presence of current harmonics.

To function properly, many electronic devices need a definite current waveform

and thus they have to ’cut’ the sinusoidal waveform so as to change its rms value
or to get a direct current from an alternate value. In these cases the current on the
line has a nonsinusoidal curve.

The main equipment generating harmonics are:

Personal computer
Fluorescent lamps
Static converters
Continuity groups
Variable speed drives
Welders

In general, waveform distortion is due to the presence of

bridge rectifiers (inside of these equipment), whose
semiconductor devices carry the current only for a fraction of
the whole period, thus originating discontinuous curves with
the consequent introduction of numerous harmonics.

Also transformers can be cause of harmonic pollution. In fact, by applying a perfectly

sinusoidal voltage to a transformer, it results into a sinusoidal magnetizing flux, but, due to
the phenomenon of the magnetic saturation of iron, the magnetizing current shall not be
sinusoidal.

Figure 3 shows a graphic representation of this phenomenon:

Figure
Figure 33 –– Phenomenon
Phenomenon of
of the
the magnetic
magnetic saturation
saturation of
of transformer
transformer iron
iron

The resultant waveform of the magnetizing current contains numerous harmonics, the
greatest of which is the third one. However, it should be noted that the magnetizing current
is generally a little percentage of the rated current of the transformer and the distortion effect
becomes more and more negligible the most loaded the transformer results to be.

5 really nice effects of harmonics

The main problems caused by harmonic currents are //

1. Overloading of neutrals
2. Increase of losses in the transformers
3. Increase of skin effect

The main effects of the harmonics voltages are //

4. Voltage distortion
5. Disturbances in the torque of induction motors

1. Overloading of neutrals
In a three phase symmetric and balanced system with neutral, the waveforms between the
phases are shifted by a 120° phase angle so that, when the phases are equally loaded,
the current in the neutral is zero.

The presence of unbalanced loads (phase-to-phase, phase-to-neutral etc.) allows the flowing
of an unbalanced current in the neutral.

Figure
Figure 44 –– Unbalanced
Unbalanced system
system of
of currents
currents

Figure 4 shows an unbalanced system of currents (phase 3 with a load 30% higher than
the other two phases), and the current resultant in the neutral is highlighted in red. Under
these circumstances, the Standards allow the neutral conductor to be dimensioned with a
cross section smaller than the phase conductors.

In the presence of distortion loads it is necessary to evaluate correctly the

effects of harmonics.

In fact, although the currents at fundamental frequency in the three phases cancel each
other out, the components of the third harmonic, having a period equal to a third of the
fundamental, that is equal to the phase shift between the phases (see Figure 5 below), are
reciprocally in phase and consequently they sum in the neutral conductor adding themselves
to the normal unbalance currents.

The same is true also for the harmonics multiple of three (even and odd, although actually
the odd ones are more common).

Figure
Figure 55 –– Fundamental
Fundamental harmonic
harmonic and
and 3rd
3rd harmonic
harmonic

Go back to Effects of harmonics ↑

2. Increase of losses in the transformers

The effects of harmonics inside the transformers involve mainly three aspects //

1. Increase of iron losses (or no-load losses)

2. Increase of copper losses
3. Presence of harmonics circulating in the windings

The iron losses are due to the hysteresis phenomenon and to the losses caused by eddy
currents. The losses due to hysteresis are proportional to the frequency, whereas the losses
due to eddy currents depend on the square of the frequency.

The copper losses correspond to the power dissipated by Joule effect in the transformer
windings. As the frequency rises (starting from 350 Hz) the current tends to thicken on the
surface of the conductors (skin effect). Under these circumstances, the conductors offer a
smaller cross section to the current flow, since the losses by Joule effect increase.

These two first aspects affect the overheating which

sometimes causes a derating of the transformer.

The third aspect is relevant to the effects of the triple-N harmonics

(homopolar harmonics) on the transformer windings. In case of delta windings,
the harmonics flow through the windings and do not propagate upstream towards the
network since they are all in phase.

The delta windings therefore represent a barrier for triple-N harmonics, but it is
necessary to pay particular attention to this type of harmonic components for a
correct dimensioning of the transformer.

3. Increase of skin effect

When the frequency rises, the current tends to flow on the outer surface of a conductor. This
phenomenon is known as skin effect and is more pronounced at high frequencies.

At 50 Hz power supply frequency, skin effect is negligible, but above 350 Hz, which
corresponds to the 7th harmonic, the cross section for the current flow reduces, thus
increasing the resistance and causing additional losses and heating.

In the presence of high-order harmonics, it is necessary to

take skin effect into account, because it affects the life of
cables. In order to overcome this problem, it is possible to
use multiple conductor cables or busbar systems formed
by more elementary isolated conductors.

Download Schneider Electric’s Cahier Technique ‘Extra losses by skin and

proximity effects’ //

DOWNLOAD CT

Go back to Effects of harmonics ↑

4. Voltage distortion
The distorted load current drawn by the nonlinear load causes a distorted voltage drop in the
cable impedance. The resultant distorted voltage waveform is applied to all other loads
connected to the same circuit, causing harmonic currents to flow in them, even if they are
linear loads.

The solution consists in separating the circuits which supply harmonic

generating loads from those supplying loads sensitive to harmonics.

Go back to Effects of harmonics ↑

5. Disturbances in the torque of induction motors

Harmonic voltage distortion causes increased eddy current losses in the motors, in the
same way as seen for transformers. The additional losses are due to the generation of
harmonic fields in the stator, each of which is trying to rotate the motor at a different speed,
both forwards (1st, 4th, 7th, …) as well as backwards (2nd, 5th, 8th, …).

High frequency currents induced in the rotor further increase losses.

Go back to Effects of harmonics ↑

Reference // Electrical installation handbook Protection, control and electrical devices by

ABB

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Edvard Csanyi
Electrical engineer, programmer and founder of EEP. Highly
specialized for design of LV/MV switchgears and LV high power
busbar trunking (<6300A) in power substations, commercial buildings
and industry facilities. Professional in AutoCAD programming.

20 Comments

Thanks

(reply)
(reply)
Emad Atta
M
MAY
AY 2222,, 22001199

This is the best explanation . Thanks.

(reply)
(reply)
Weam
M
MAY
AY 2222,, 22001199

Thanks

(reply)
(reply)
Vijay
M
MAY
AY 2222,, 22001199

Dear Ed. Very useful article especially for the students of EEE and
beginners of this harmonics studies. Is it possible to update with a pdf
Anil Paul document as other articles
Jacob
M
MAY
AY 2222,, 22001199
(reply)
(reply)

Wonderful !!!

Vinay How to download Ref: Electrical installation handbook Protection, control

Haldikar and electrical devices by ABB
M
MAY
AY 2222,, 22001199

(reply)
(reply)

good work Edvard

(reply)
(reply)
Abraham
M
MAY
AY 2211,, 22001199

Very good . Thanks

(reply)
(reply)
Kambiz
Zamani
N
NOOV
V 1177,, 22001188

Edvard, I found your article interesting and insightful. It help better clarify
several points that I have simply accepted as I always found the a bit
Michael S. confusing of felt uncertain about them. So thanks for helping me become a
Olsen better engineer.
JJA
ANN 3300,, 22001188

That said, grammar and mechanics errors made reading and understanding
at several points difficult. I presume by your writing style that English is not
you first language. As such, I applaud your dedication to learning one of the
world’s most complex and changing languages. Should you wish for help or
proofing of your English work I would be happy to assist. It would be an
honor to help such a clearly talented man have his work shine as brightly
and clearly as his mind.

(reply)
(reply)

Hi Edward,

Munibullah A good article on harmonics. However, the relation of different waveforms

Wahdy on graphs is not clear. Wonder if it is possible to update this article with this
O
OCCTT 1166,, 22001177
information.

Regards,
Munibullah Wahdy

(reply)
(reply)

Why are we always talking about odd harmonics (3rd, 5th,…) and not about
even ones (2nd, 4th,…)?
Ivan
O
OCCTT 1166,, 22001177 (reply)
(reply)

Great article very informative, keep it up!

(reply)
(reply)
Rudolf
JJU
UNN 0055,, 22001166

Thank you, how we could compensate this effect?

(reply)
(reply)
Amin Jafari
FFE
EBB 0099,, 22001166

Thank you for the article. (y)

(reply)
(reply)
Keval
Pandya
FFE
EBB 0033,, 22001166

I would like to get a copy of the autocad electrical 2016 , I already have the
autocad autodesk student version with just architectural , I tried to download
Raoul the electrical , it keeps saying the .net 4.5 is not installed although I have it
FFE
EBB 0033,, 22001166
already in my computer , please advise ..

Thanks

(reply)
(reply)

Raoul, the autiocad electrical full version (by the way it has a 2019 last
versio) has to be boughtfrom the dofficial distributor for autocad in your
Abraham country. here it can be leased with a monthly payment system which
M
MAY
AY 2211,, 22001199
includes full support

(reply)
(reply)

there is effect of harmonics – generally 3rd, 5th, 7th and some times 9th.
What are the basic reason of generation and means of control by which
R.C. Dhing these can be controlled or reduced.
FFE
EBB 0033,, 22001166

(reply)
(reply)

Good article.
thanks
Akroud
Nabil (reply)
(reply)
JJA
ANN 2288,, 22001166

Nicely complied. In my view impact on Capacitor banks should in top 5

effects of Harmonics.
RAVI
KUMAR (reply)
(reply)
GAURAV .
JJA
ANN 2288,, 22001166

This is the best explanation of harmonics I’ve come across. Thanks!

(reply)
(reply)
Lisa
JJA
ANN 2277,, 22001166

Thank you Lisa :)

(reply)
(reply)
Edvard
JJA
ANN 2277,, 22001166

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