SCDE5401 / SCEP516

Harmonic Note 2
©Wintec 2014
Harmonics In Polyphase Power Systems
With AC power systems where the source voltage waveform coming from an AC
generator (alternator) is supposed to be a single-frequency sine wave, undistorted,
there should be no harmonic content. In practice this not the case, generally there is 3
to 5% distortion..

Problems Created by Harmonics

 Excessive heating and failure of capacitors, capacitor fuses, transformers,
motors, fluorescent lighting ballasts, etc.
 Nuisance tripping of circuit breaker or blown fuses
 Presence of the third harmonic & multiples of the 3rd harmonic in neutral
grounding systems may require the derating of neutral conductors
 Noise from harmonics that lead to erroneous operation of control system
components
 Damage to sensitive electronic equipment
 Electronic communications interference
Any distortion of an otherwise sine-wave shaped waveform constitutes the presence
of harmonic frequencies.

Origins of Harmonic Distortion

The ever increasing demand of industry and commerce for stability, adjustability and
accuracy of control in electrical equipment led to the development of relatively low
cost power diodes, thyristors, SCRs and other power semi-conductors. Now used
widely in rectifier circuits for U.P.S. systems, static converters and A.C. & D.C.
motor control, these modern devices replace the mercury arc rectifiers of earlier years
and create new and challenging conditions for the power engineer of today.
Although solid state devices, such as the thyristor, have brought significant
improvements in control designs and efficiency, they have the disadvantage of
producing harmonic currents. These nonlinear components draw current
disproportionately with respect to the source voltage, causing non-sinusoidal current
waveforms.

Harmonic currents can cause a disturbance on the supply network and adversely affect
the operation of other electrical equipment including power factor correction
capacitors.

Harmonic Note 2 2
When the nonsinusoidal waveform in question is symmetrical above and below its
average centerline, the harmonic frequencies will be odd integer multiples of the
fundamental source frequency only, with no even integer multiples. See Figure 1
Most nonlinear loads produce current waveforms like this, and so even-numbered
harmonics (2nd, 4th, 6th, 8th, 10th, 12th, etc.) are absent or only minimally present in
most AC power systems.

Fig 1Examples of symmetrical waveforms -- odd harmonics only.

Examples of nonsymmetrical waveforms with even harmonics present are shown for
reference in Figure 2.

Harmonic Note 2 3
 Fig 2 Examples of nonsymmetrical waveforms -- even harmonics present.

Even though half of the possible harmonic frequencies are eliminated by the typically
symmetrical distortion of nonlinear loads, the odd harmonics can still cause problems.
Some of these problems are general to all power systems, single-phase or otherwise.
Transformer overheating due to eddy current losses, for example, can occur in any AC
power system where there is significant harmonic content. However, there are some
problems caused by harmonic currents that are specific to polyphase power systems,
and it is these problems to which this section is specifically devoted.

Fig 3 Frequency domain plot of single frequency component.

Harmonic Note 2 4
Fig 4 time-domain plot showing sum of fundamental source and 3rd harmonic in
phase with the fundamental.

Fig 5 plot showing fundamental source and 3rd harmonic.

Harmonic Note 2 5
 Fig 6 Eequal harmonics.

In a system with no harmonic currents, this is what happens, leaving zero current
through the neutral conductor. However, we cannot say the same for harmonic
currents in the same system.

Fig 7 Neutral current with 3rd and 9th harmonics

This is exactly what's happening, though it might not be apparent why this is so. The
key to understanding this is made clear in a time-domain graph of phase currents.
Examine this plot of balanced phase currents over time, with a phase sequence of 1-2-
3. in fig 8 below

Harmonic Note 2 6
 Fig 8 Phase sequence 1-2-3-1-2-3-1-2-3 of equally spaced waves.

With the three fundamental waveforms equally shifted across the time axis of the
graph, it is easy to see how they would cancel each other to give a resultant current of
zero in the neutral conductor. Let's consider, though, what a 3rd harmonic waveform
for phase 1 would look like superimposed on the graph in Figure 9.

Fig 9 Third harmonic waveform for phase-1 superimposed on three-phase

fundamental waveforms.

Observe how this harmonic waveform has the same phase relationship to the 2nd and
3rd fundamental waveforms as it does with the 1st: in each positive half-cycle of any
of the fundamental waveforms, you will find exactly two positive half-cycles and one
negative half-cycle of the harmonic waveform. What this means is that the 3rd-
harmonic waveforms of three 120o phase-shifted fundamental-frequency waveforms
are actually in phase with each other. The phase shift figure of 120o generally
assumed in three-phase AC systems applies only to the fundamental frequencies, not
to their harmonic multiples!

If we were to plot all three 3rd-harmonic waveforms on the same graph, we would see
them precisely overlap and appear as a single, unified waveform (shown in bold in
figure 10.
Harmonic Note 2 7
Fig 10 Third harmonics for phases 1, 2, 3 all coincide when superimposed on the
fundamental three-phase waveforms. Also shown below where they are additive.

Fig 11 shows an alternative way in which the third harmonics are additive

Harmonic Note 2 8
For the more mathematically inclined, this principle may be expressed symbolically.
Suppose that A represents one waveform and B another, both at the same frequency,
but shifted 120o from each other in terms of phase. Let's call the 3rd harmonic of each
waveform A' and B', respectively. The phase shift between A' and B' is not 120o (that
is the phase shift between A and B), but 3 times that, because the A' and B'
waveforms alternate three times as fast as A and B. The shift between waveforms is
only accurately expressed in terms of phase angle when the same angular velocity is
assumed. When relating waveforms of different frequency, the most accurate way to
represent phase shift is in terms of time; and the time-shift between A' and B' is
equivalent to 120o at a frequency three times lower, or 360o at the frequency of A' and
B'. A phase shift of 360o is the same as a phase shift of 0o, which is to say no phase
shift at all. Thus, A' and B' must be in phase with each other:

This characteristic of the 3rd harmonic in a three-phase system also holds true for any
integer multiples of the 3rd harmonic. So, not only are the 3rd harmonic waveforms of
each fundamental waveform in phase with each other, but so are the 6th harmonics,
the 9th harmonics, the 12th harmonics, the 15th harmonics, the 18th harmonics, the
21st harmonics, and so on. Since only odd harmonics appear in systems where
waveform distortion is symmetrical about the centerline -- and most nonlinear loads
create symmetrical distortion -- even-numbered multiples of the 3rd harmonic (6th,
12th, 18th, etc.) are generally not significant, leaving only the odd-numbered
multiples (3rd, 9th, 15th, 21st, etc.) to significantly contribute to neutral currents.

In polyphase power systems with some number of phases other than three, this effect
occurs with harmonics of the same multiple. For instance, the harmonic currents that
add in the neutral conductor of a star-connected 4-phase system where the phase shift
between fundamental waveforms is 90o would be the 4th, 8th, 12th, 16th, 20th, and so
on.

Due to their abundance and significance in three-phase power systems, the 3rd
harmonic and its multiples have their own special name: triplen harmonics. All triplen
harmonics add with each other in the neutral conductor of a 4-wire Y-connected load.
In power systems containing substantial nonlinear loading, the triplen harmonic
currents may be of great enough magnitude to cause neutral conductors to overheat.
This is very problematic, as other safety concerns prohibit neutral conductors from
having overcurrent protection, and thus there is no provision for automatic
interruption of these high currents.

Harmonic Note 2 9
The following illustration shows how triplen harmonic currents created at the load add
within the neutral conductor. The symbol “ω” is used to represent angular velocity,
and is mathematically equivalent to 2πf. So, “ω” represents the fundamental
frequency, “3ω ” represents the 3rd harmonic, “5ω” represents the 5th harmonic, and
so on: See figure 12.

Fig 12“Y-Y”Triplen source/load: Harmonic currents add in neutral conductor.

In an effort to mitigate these additive triplen currents, one might be tempted to remove
the neutral wire entirely. If there is no neutral wire in which triplen currents can flow
together, then they won't, right? Unfortunately, doing so just causes a different
problem: the load's “Y” center-point will no longer be at the same potential as the
source's, meaning that each phase of the load will receive a different voltage than
what is produced by the source.

Strange things are happening, indeed. First, we see that the triplen harmonic currents
(3rd and 9th) all but disappear in the lines connecting load to source. Figure 13 is a
graphical summary of the aforementioned effects.

Harmonic Note 2 10
 Fig 13 Three-wire “Y-Y” (no neutral) system: Triplen voltages appear between “Y”
centers. Triplen voltages appear across load phases. Non-triplen currents appear in
line conductors.

In summary, removal of the neutral conductor leads to a “hot” center-point on the load
“Y”, and also to harmonic load phase voltages of equal magnitude, all comprised of
triplen frequencies. In the previous simulation where we had a 4-wire, Y-connected
system, the undesirable effect from harmonics was excessive neutral current, but at
least each phase of the load received voltage nearly free of harmonics.

Since removing the neutral wire didn't seem to work in eliminating the problems
caused by harmonics, perhaps switching to a Δ configuration will. See figure 14.

Fig 14 “Δ-Y” source/load: Triplen voltages appear across load phases. Non-triplen
currents appear in line conductors and in source phase windings.

Really, the only advantage of the Δ-Y configuration from the standpoint of harmonics
is that there is no longer a center-point at the load posing a shock hazard. Otherwise,
the load components receive the same harmonically-rich voltages and the lines see the
same currents as in a three-wire Y system.

If we were to reconfigure the system into a Δ-Δ arrangement, (Figure 15) that should
guarantee that each load component receives non-harmonic voltage, since each load
phase would be directly connected in parallel with each source phase. The complete
lack of any neutral wires or “center points” in a Δ-Δ system prevents strange voltages
or additive currents from occurring. It would seem to be the ideal solution.

Remember that the triplen harmonics of 120o phase-shifted fundamental frequencies

are in phase with each other. Note the directions that the arrows of the current sources
within the load phases are pointing, and think about what would happen if the 3rd and

Harmonic Note 2 11
9th harmonic sources were DC sources instead. What we would have is current
circulating within the loop formed by the Δ-connected phases. This is where the
triplen harmonic currents have gone: they stay within the Δ of the load, never
reaching the line conductors or the windings of the source. These results may be
graphically summarized as such in Figure 15.

Fig 15 Δ-Δ source/load: Load phases receive undistorted sinewave voltages. Triplen
currents are confined to circulate within load phases. Non-triplen currents apprear in
line conductors and in source phase windings.This is a major benefit of the Δ-Δ
system configuration: triplen harmonic currents remain confined in whatever set of
components create them, and do not “spread” to other parts of the system.

Harmonic phase sequences

In the last section, we saw how the 3rd harmonic and all of its integer multiples
(collectively called triplen harmonics) generated by 120o phase-shifted fundamental
waveforms are actually in phase with each other. In a 50 Hz three-phase power
system, where phases A, B, and C are 120o apart, the third-harmonic multiples of
those frequencies (180 Hz) fall perfectly into phase with each other. This can be
thought of in graphical terms, (Figure 16) and/or in mathematical terms:

Fig 16 Harmonic currents of Phases A, B, C all coincide, that is, no rotation.

Harmonic Note 2 12
If we extend the mathematical table to include higher odd-numbered harmonics, we
will notice an interesting pattern develop with regard to the rotation or sequence of the
harmonic frequencies:

Harmonics such as the 7th, which “rotate” with the same sequence as the
fundamental, are called positive sequence. Harmonics such as the 5th, which “rotate”
in the opposite sequence as the fundamental, are called negative sequence. Triplen
harmonics (3rd and 9th shown in this table) which don't “rotate” at all because they're
in phase with each other, are called zero sequence.

This pattern of positive-zero-negative-positive continues indefinitely for all odd-

numbered harmonics, lending itself to expression in a table like this:

Harmonic Note 2 13
Sequence especially matters when we're dealing with AC motors, since the
mechanical rotation of the rotor depends on the torque produced by the sequential
“rotation” of the applied 3-phase power. Positive-sequence frequencies work to push
the rotor in the proper direction, whereas negative-sequence frequencies actually work
against the direction of the rotor's rotation. Zero-sequence frequencies neither
contribute to nor detract from the rotor's torque. An excess of negative-sequence
harmonics (5th, 11th, 17th, and/or 23rd) in the power supplied to a three-phase AC
motor will result in a degradation of performance and possible overheating. Since the
higher-order harmonics tend to be attenuated more by system inductances and
magnetic core losses, and generally originate with less amplitude anyway, the primary
harmonic of concern is the 5th, which is 300 Hz in 60 Hz power systems and 250 Hz
in 50 Hz power systems.

Total harmonic distortion (THD)

The term THD means Total Harmonic Distortion and is a widely used notion in
defining the level of harmonic content in alternating signals.

Harmonic Note 2 14
Motors
There is an increasing use of variable frequency drives (VFDs) that power electric
motors. The voltages and currents emanating from a VFD that go to a motor are rich
in harmonic frequency components. Voltage supplied to a motor sets up magnetic
fields in the core, which create iron losses in the magnetic frame of the motor.
Hysteresis and eddy current losses are part of iron losses that are produced in the core
due to the alternating magnetic field. Hysteresis losses are proportional to frequency,
and eddy current losses vary as the square of the frequency. Therefore, higher
frequency voltage components produce additional losses in the core of AC motors,
which in turn, increase the operating temperature of the core and the windings
surrounding in the core. Application of non-sinusoidal voltages to motors results in
harmonic current circulation in the windings of motors. The net rms current is
[I.sub.rms] = [square root of [([I.sub.1]).sup.2] + [([I.sub.2]).sup.2] +
[([I.sub.3]).sup.2] +] ..., where the subscripts 1, 2, 3, etc. represent the different
harmonic currents. The [I.sub.2]R losses in the motor windings vary as the square of
the rms current. Due to skin effect, actual losses would be slightly higher than
calculated values. Stray motor losses, which include winding eddy current losses, high
frequency rotor and stator surface losses, and tooth pulsation losses, also increase due
to harmonic voltages and currents.
The phenomenon of torsional oscillation of the motor shaft due to harmonics is not
clearly understood, and this condition is often disregarded by plant personnel. Torque
in AC motors is produced by the interaction between the air gap magnetic field and
the rotor-induced currents. When a motor is supplied non-sinusoidal voltages and
currents, the air gap magnetic fields and the rotor currents contain harmonic frequency
components.
The harmonics are grouped into positive (+), negative (-) and zero (0) sequence
components. Positive sequence harmonics (harmonic numbers 1,4,7,10,13, etc.)
produce magnetic fields and currents rotating in the same direction as the fundamental
frequency harmonic. Negative sequence harmonics (harmonic numbers 2,5,8,11,14,
etc.) develop magnetic fields and currents that rotate in a direction opposite to the
positive frequency set. Zero sequence harmonics (harmonic numbers 3,9,15,21, etc.)
do not develop usable torque, but produce additional losses in the machine. The
interaction between the positive and negative sequence magnetic fields and currents
produces torsional oscillations of the motor shaft. These oscillations result in shaft
vibrations. If the frequency of oscillations coincides with the natural mechanical
frequency of the shaft, the vibrations are amplified and severe damage to the motor
shaft may occur. It is important that for large VFD motor installations, harmonic
analyses be performed to determine the levels of harmonic distortions and assess their
impact on the motor.
Transformers
The harmful effects of harmonic voltages and currents on transformer performance
often go unnoticed until an actual failure occurs. In some instances, transformers that
have operated satisfactorily for long periods have failed in a relatively short time
when plant loads were changed or a facility's electrical system was reconfigured.
Changes could include installation of variable frequency drives, electronic ballasts,
power factor improvement capacitors, arc furnaces, and the addition or removal of
large motors.

Harmonic Note 2 15
Application of nonsinusoidal excitation voltages to transformers increase the iron
lesses in the magnetic core of the transformer in much the same way as in a motor. A
more serious effect of harmonic loads served by transformers is due to an increase in
winding eddy current losses. Eddy currents are circulating currents in the conductors
induced by the sweeping action of the leakage magnetic field on the conductors. Eddy
current concentrations are higher at the ends of the transformer windings due to the
crowding effect of the leakage magnetic fields at the coil extremities. The eddy
current losses increase as the square of the current in the conductor and the square of
its frequency. The increase in transformer eddy current loss due to harmonics has a
significant effect on the operating temperature of the transformer. Transformers that
are required to supply power to nonlinear loads must be derated based on the
percentages of harmonic components in the load current and the rated winding eddy
current loss.
One method of determining the capability of transformers to handle harmonic loads is
by k factor ratings. The k factor is equal to the sum of the square of the harmonic
currents multiplied by the square of the frequencies.
k = [([I.sub.1]).sup.2]([1.sup.2]) + [([I.sub.2]).sup.2]([2.sup.2]) +
[([I.sub.3]).sup.2]([3.sup.2]) + . . . + [([I.sub.n]).sup.2]([n.sup.2]).
where [I.sub.1] = ratio of fundamental current to total rms current, [I.sub.2] = ratio of
second harmonic current to total rms current, [I.sub.3] = ratio of third harmonic
current to total rms current, etc., and 1,2,3, ... n are harmonic frequency numbers. The
total rms current is the square root of the sum of square of the individual currents.

Fig 17 derating transformer graph

By providing additional capacity (larger-size or multiple winding conductors), k
factor rated transformers are capable of safely withstanding additional winding eddy
current losses equal to k times the rated eddy current loss or you can use a graph such
as above. If the load is 40% electronic, transformer has to be derated to 60%.

Also, due to the additive nature of triplen harmonic (3, 9, 15, etc.) currents flowing in
the neutral conductor, k rated transformers are provided with a neutral terminal that is
sized at least twice as large as the phase terminals.

Harmonic Note 2 16
To address the harmonic loading in this example, you should specify a transformer
capable of supplying a minimum of 222.4A with a k rating of 9. Of course, it would
be best to consider possible load growth and adjust the minimum capacity
accordingly.
In this case, the nonlinear loads caused a substantial temperature rise. The unit had
been installed to serve an online UPS source that produced high harmonic currents in
the lines coming from the transformer. The darkened areas of the coils are due to the
effect of heat caused by excess eddy current losses in the transformer's windings.
Very often, the damage to the coils in a transformer is not known until a failure
occurs.
Capacitor banks
Many industrial and commercial electrical systems have capacitors installed to offset
the effect of low power factor. Most capacitors are designed to operate at a maximum
of 110% of rated voltage and at 135% of their kvar ratings. In a power system
characterized by large voltage or current harmonics, these limitations are frequently
exceeded, resulting in capacitor bank failures. Since capacitive reactance is inversely
proportional to frequency, unfiltered harmonic currents in the power system find their
way into capacitor banks, These banks act like a sink, attracting harmonic currents,
thereby becoming overloaded.
A more serious condition, with potential for substantial damage, occurs as a result of
harmonic resonance. Resonant conditions are created when the inductive and
capacitive reactances become equal in an electrical system. Resonance in a power
system may be classified as series or parallel resonance, depending on the
configuration of the resonance circuit. Series resonance produces voltage
amplification and parallel resonance causes current multiplication within an electrical
system. In a harmonic rich environment, both types of resonance are present. During
resonant conditions, if the amplitude of the offending frequency is large, considerable
damage to capacitor banks would result. And, there is a high probability that other
electrical equipment on the system would also be damaged.
Procedures for harmonic analysis of distribution
networks
Measurements are carried out on industrial or commercial site:
1) Preventively, to obtain an overall idea on distribution-network status (network
map)
2) In view of corrective action:
i)To determine the origin of a disturbance and determine the solutions required
to eliminate it
ii) To check the validity of a solution (followed by modifications in the
distribution network to check the reduction in harmonics)

Operating mode
The current and voltage are studied:

1) At the supply source

2) On the busbars of the main distribution switchboard (or on the MV busbars)
3) On each outgoing circuit in the main distribution switchboard (or on the
MV busbars)
For the measurements, it is necessary to know the precise operating conditions
of the installation and particularly the status of the capacitor banks (operating, not
operating, the number of disconnected steps).
Harmonic Note 2 17
Analysis results
1) Determine any necessary derating of equipment in the installation or
2) Quantify any necessary harmonic protection and filtering systems to be installed in
the distribution network
3) Enable comparison between the measured values and the reference values of the
utility (maximum harmonic values, acceptable values, reference values)
Use of measurement devices
Measurement devices serve to show both the instantaneous and long-term effects of
harmonics. Analysis requires values spanning durations ranging from a few seconds
to several minutes over observation periods of a number of days.
The required values include:
1) The amplitudes of the harmonic currents and voltages
2) The individual harmonic content of each harmonic order of the current and voltage
3) The THD for the current and voltage
4) Where applicable, the phase displacement between the harmonic voltage and
current of the same harmonic order and the phase of the harmonics with respect to a
common reference (e.g. the fundamental voltage)
Basic solutions
To limit the propagation of harmonics in the distribution network, different solutions
are available and should be taken into account particularly when designing a new
installation.
Position the non-linear loads upstream in the system
Overall harmonic disturbances increase as the short-circuit power decreases.
All economic considerations aside, it is preferable to connect the non-linear loads as
far upstream as possible

Fig18
Group the non-linear loads
When preparing the single-line diagram, the non-linear devices should be separated
from the others (see fig 19). The two groups of devices should be supplied by
different sets of busbars.

Harmonic Note 2 18
 fig 19

Create separate sources

In attempting to limit harmonics, an additional improvement can be obtained by
creating a source via a separate transformer as indicated in the figure 20.
The disadvantage is the increase in the cost of the installation

Fig 20
Transformers with special connections
Different transformer connections can eliminate certain harmonic orders, as
indicated in the examples below:
b A Dyd connection suppresses 5th and 7th harmonics (see fig 21)
b A Dy connection suppresses the 3rd harmonic
b A DZ 5 connection suppresses the 5th harmonic

Fig 21
Install reactors
When variable-speed drives are supplied, it is possible to smooth the current
by installing line reactors. By increasing the impedance of the supply circuit, the
harmonic current is limited.
Installation of harmonic suppression reactors on capacitor banks increases the
impedance of the reactor/capacitor combination for high-order harmonics.
This avoids resonance and protects the capacitors.
Select the suitable system earthing arrangement
TNC system
In the TNC system, a single conductor (PEN) provides protection in the event of an
earth fault and the flow of unbalance currents.
Harmonic Note 2 19
Under steady-state conditions, the harmonic currents flow in the PEN. The latter,
however, has a certain impedance with as a result slight differences in potential (a
few volts) between devices that can cause electronic equipment to malfunction.
The TNC system must therefore be reserved for the supply of power circuits at the
head of the installation and must not be used to supply sensitive loads.
TNS system
This system is recommended if harmonics are present.
The neutral conductor and the protection conductor PE are completely separate and
the potential throughout the distribution network is therefore more uniform.
Harmonic filtering
In cases where the preventive action presented above is insufficient, it is necessary
to equip the installation with filtering systems.
There are three types of filters:
1) Passive
2) Active
3) Hybrid
Passive filters
Typical applications
b Industrial installations with a set of non-linear loads representing more than
200 kVA (variable-speed drives, UPSs, rectifiers, etc.)
1) Installations requiring power-factor correction
2) Installations where voltage distortion must be reduced to avoid disturbing sensitive
loads
3) Installations where current distortion must be reduced to avoid overloads

Operating principle
An LC circuit, tuned to each harmonic order to be filtered, is installed in parallel with
the non-linear load (see fig 22). This bypass circuit absorbs the harmonics, thus
avoiding their flow in the distribution network.
Generally speaking, the passive filter is tuned to a harmonic order close to the order
to be eliminated. Several parallel-connected branches of filters can be used if a
significant reduction in the distortion of a number of harmonic orders is required.

Active filters (active harmonic conditioner)

Typical applications
b Commercial installations with a set of non-linear loads representing less than
200 kVA (variable-speed drives, UPSs, office equipment, etc.)
b Installations where current distortion must be reduced to avoid overloads.
Operating principle
These systems, comprising power electronics and installed in series or parallel with
the non-linear load, compensate the harmonic current or voltage drawn by the load.

The AHC injects in opposite phase the harmonics drawn by the non-linear load, such
that the line current Is remains sinusoidal.

Hybrid filters
Typical applications
1) Industrial installations with a set of non-linear loads representing more than
200 kVA (variable-speed drives, UPSs, rectifiers, etc.)
2) Installations requiring power-factor correction
3) Installations where voltage distortion must be reduced to avoid disturbing sensitive

Harmonic Note 2 20
loads
3) Installations where current distortion must be reduced to avoid overloads
4) Installations where strict limits on harmonic emissions must be met

Operating principle
Passive and active filters are combined in a single system to constitute a hybrid filter.
This new filtering solution offers the advantages of both types of
filters and covers a wide range of power and performance levels.

Selection criteria
Passive filter
It offers both power-factor correction and high current-filtering capacity.
Passive filters also reduce the harmonic voltages in installations where the supply
voltage is disturbed. If the level of reactive power supplied is high, it is advised to
turn off the passive filter at times when the percent load is low.
Preliminary studies for a filter must take into account the possible presence of a
power factor correction capacitor bank which may have to be eliminated.

Fig 22

Active harmonic conditioners

They filter harmonics over a wide range of frequencies and can adapt to any type of
load.
On the other hand, power ratings are low.

Harmonic Note 2 21
 Fig 23
Hybrid filters
They combine the performance of both active and passive filters.

Fig 24

Harmonic Note 2 22