IEEE-519 Current Distortion Limits

IEEE Std.519-1992 sets limits for Total Demand Distortion (TDD) in Table 10.3, shown below.

IEEE 519-1992
Table 10.3
Current Distortion Limits for General Distribution Systems
(120V Through 69,000V)

Maximum Harmonic Current Distortion

in Percent of IL
Individual Harmonic Order (Odd
ISC/IL <11 Harmonics)
11<=h<17 17<=h<23 23<=h<35 35<=h TDD
<20 4.0 2.0 1.5 0.6 0.3 5.0
20<50 7.0 3.5 2.5 1.0 0.5 8.0
50<100 10.0 4.5 4.0 1.5 0.7 12.0
100<1000 12.0 5.5 5.0 2.0 1.0 15.0
>1000 15.0 7.0 6.0 2.5 1.4 20.0
Even harmonics are limited to 25% of the odd harmonic limits above
where
ISC = maximum short circuit current at PCC
IL = maximum demand load current (fundamental frequency component) at
PCC

There seems to be a great deal of confusion about the correct application of these limits.
The object of these limits is to prevent excessive voltage distortion on the utility. That is to say, to
prevent a single user or group of users from creating a power quality problem that would affect all
users connected to that portion of the utility distribution system.
The TDD limit is a method of allocating utility resources. The utility’s ability to deliver
harmonic current to each user is based on the capacity of the utility at its Point of Common
Coupling (PCC) with each user.
The capacity of the utility is defined by the Short-Circuit Current (ISC) at the PCC. The
size of the user is defined by the Maximum Demand Load Current (IL) drawn by the user’s
system. The ratio of these two quantities define the TDD limit (ISC/ IL), this is called the Short-
Circuit Ratio (SCR).
The PCC is defined as that point where two or more users share the same voltage. This
is usually the primary of the user’s transformer. Ownership of the transformer does not determine
the PCC. In residential and light commercial installations, two or more users may share the
voltage on the secondary of a utility transformer. In this case, TDD may be calculated based on
secondary currents, but the SCR is still calculated at the transformer primary. The primary SCR
determines the allowed TDD in all cases. Despite this fundamental definition, some
specifications and interpretations have been written to suggest that the PCC is at the user’s
transformer secondary, or at a sub-panel or motor control center in the user’s distribution system.
Some have gone so far as to place it at the input terminals of an individual load like a variable
speed drive. These are all misinterpretations and misapplications of IEEE-519.
TDD is not the same as Total Harmonic Distortion of Current (THD(I) or Ithd). Despite words to
the contrary in IEEE-519, Maximum Demand Load Current (IL) need not consist of just
fundamental load current. By fundamental current, we mean the fundamental frequency
component, or the first harmonic component of the total RMS current. The strict definition of Total
Harmonic Distortion of Current is:

∑I
h=2
2
h

THD( I )% = × 100
If
Where If is fundamental current.

This is the absolute value, or root-sum-square of all of the harmonic currents with respect
to the amplitude of the fundamental current. Using this definition for TDD would force the user to
extract If from measurements of IL. This is not something that the average user is equipped to do.

TDD is defined as:

50

∑I
h=2
2
h

TDD(%) = × 100
IL

Notice that the measurement of the harmonic currents need not go beyond the 50th
harmonic.
IL may be determine in basically two ways. In an existing facility, it may be the average of
the last twelve monthly “peak demand” readings reported on the utility bill. In a new design, it is
estimated by the electrical designer from data used to size the transformer. Since the utility’s
metering device measures all RMS current within its bandwidth, the peak demand reading
includes some harmonic components, if present.
Peak demand is measured over either a 15 or 30 minute period, depending on the utility’s
billing practices. It is not the absolute maximum current delivered to the user. It does not include
surge currents such as those drawn by starting a large motor. It does not include intermittent
loads such as those drawn by elevator controls. IL is the maximum steady-state load current
drawn the entire facility at the PCC with the utility.
TDD can be calculated based on currents flowing in the secondary of the user’s
transformer since the percentage would be the same if the values were referred to the primary.
The SCR that defines the TDD limit must always be based on values at the transformer primary.
ISC is obtained from the utility. It is incumbent on the utility to provide this number if compliance
with IEEE-519 limits is to be determine. To refer the IL reading or estimate made at the
transformer secondary, to the primary, divide IL by the turns-ratio of the transformer. The
transformer turns-ratio is the primary voltage divided by the secondary voltage.
Just to make things complicated, there is one exception to the above rule. If the
calculated TDD is within the TDD limit based on a SCR using the short-circuit current at the
secondary of the user’s transformer, then the system will comply with the TDD limit. The reason
for this is because the capacity of each user’s transformer is smaller than the capacity of the up-
stream utility transformer. If the system exceeds the allowed TDD based on this method, a further
calculation must be made based on primary side values.
In addition to the TDD limit, the percentages of various harmonic groups may not exceed
the listed values on each line of the table. While compliance with these values are not usually a
problem, harmonics exceeding these limits can occur in poorly balanced systems or in systems
with resonance problems.

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