HARMONIC ANALYSIS AND

MITIGATION TECHNIQUES
ENGR. LEMUEL T. LADERO, PEE
MASTER OF SCIENCE IN ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING
CERTIFIED ENERGY MANAGER (AEMAS - CEM)
T.I.P. QC INDUSTRY LECTURER
ASEAN CHARTERED PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER
ASEAN ENGINEER REGISTERED
IIEE LIFETIME MEMBER
2018-2019 IIEE METRO CENTRAL PEC SUB COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN
2019-2020 IIEE METRO CENTRAL BOD
POWER QUALITY = VOLTAGE QUALITY
3 Basic Electrical Theory
that are used to locate or to
track the source/s of most
power quality problems:
1. Kirchoff’s Voltage Law
2. Kirchoff’s Current Law
3. Ohms Law
TYPICAL POWER QUALITY ISSUES IN POWER SYSTEM

• Power Outages
• Frequency Variations
• Line Noise
• Harmonics
• Overvoltage
• Undervoltage
• Spikes/Surge or Transients
• Voltage Swells
• Voltage Sags
HOW VOLTAGE GENERATED? LET’S BACK TO BASIC
Generator is a rotating machine or magnet composed of a
stationary coil of wire.

Two Parts of Generator

1. Rotor or Field winding – rotating part

2. Stator/Stator winding – stationary part

The field winding is turn or rotate at constant speed by means

of mechanical power source connected to a shaft, as the field
winding turns the magnetic flux sweeps the stationary winding
to induced voltage in the stator winding. In 2 pole generator the
frequency of the induced voltage in cycle per second or hertz is
the same as the speed of the rotor in revolution per second. A
two pole synchronous generator turns at 60 revolution per
second or 3600 RPM will produce a 60 Hz voltage sine wave.
POWER GENERATION – THREE PHASE SYSTEM

In power generation today they used three (3) phase system,

power generating plants used three (3) phase synchronous
generators to produce three phase voltages displaced 120
electrical degrees apart in time with respect to each other and
also produced voltage sine wave.
HARMONIC DISTORTION
Is caused by non-linear devices in the
power system, a non-linear device is one in
which the current is not proportional to the
applied voltage. While the applied voltage
is perfectly sinusoidal, the resulting current
is distorted. Increasing the voltage by a few
percent may cause the current to double
and take on a different waveshape. This is
the source of most harmonic distortion in a
power system.
SOURCES OF HARMONIC CURRENTS
• Variable Frequency Drives (VFD)
• Welding Machines
• Arc Furnaces
• Switch mode power supplies like electronic equipment
• Rectifiers
• Computers
ELECTRONICS & RECTIFIERS ARE COMMON SOURCES OF HARMONICS – BASIC EXAMPLE LIGHT DIMMERS

Triacs are electronic

components that are
widely used in AC
power control
applications. They are
able to switch high
voltages and high
levels of current, and
over both parts of an
AC waveform. This
makes triac circuits
ideal for use in a
variety of applications
where power switching
is needed.
SINUSOIDAL WAVE OF A LINEAR LOADS

Linear Loads- Loads that draw

current similar to the wave shape of
the applied voltage, it is a “pure
sinusoidal wave”
SINUSOIDAL WAVE OF NON-LINEAR LAODS

Non-Linear Loads- Loads that

require non-sinusoidal current and
this load is the source of harmonics,
it is a “distorted waveform”
HARMONIC WAVELENGTH

1 𝑐𝑦𝑐𝑙𝑒
T= ;
𝑓
1
T= (fundamental)
60

T = 0.01667 seconds
1
T= (3rd Harmonic)
180

T = 0.00556 seconds
HARMONIC FREQUENCY vs FUNDAMENTAL FREQUENCY
EFFECTS OF NON-LINEAR LOADS
THE FOURIER SERIES – USED IN HARMONIC ANALYSIS
ANALYSIS BASED ON FOURIER SERIES
DISTORTED WAVEFORM
HARMONIC ANALYSIS
HARMONIC ANALYSIS
IEEE VOLTAGE DISTORTION LIMITS
HARMONIC LEVELS
TRIPLEN HARMONICS
TRIPLEN HARMONICS

Triplen harmonics are the odd multiples of the third harmonic (3, 9, 15,
21,…). They deserve special consideration because the system response is
often considerably different for triplens than for the rest of the harmonics.
Triplens become an important issue for grounded-wye systems with
current flowing on the neutral. Two typical problems are overloading the
neutral and telephone interference. One also hears occasionally of devices
that misoperate because the line-to-neutral voltage is badly distorted by
the triplen harmonic voltage drop in the neutral conductor.
ODD HARMONICS
HARMONIC PHASE SEQUENCES
In perfect balanced three phase system, Harmonic phase
sequence can be determined by multiplying the harmonic
number h with the normal positive sequence phase rotation.
• Harmonics of order h = 1,4,7,13,16….…generally positive
sequence
• Harmonics of order h =5,8,11,14,17………generally negative
sequence
• Triplen order h = 3,6,12,15…generally zero sequence
HARMONIC PHASE SEQUENCES
WHAT IS TOO MUCH?
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TDD AND THD
➢ TDD (Total Demand Distortion) – Moving average of THD (Total
Harmonic Distortion) based on system rated current.
➢ TDD used much longer average time which is basically 15-30 minute
based on the system rated current.

➢ THD (Total Harmonic Distortion) – Based on the fundamental current

based on cycle to cycle basis and it change with the behavior of the
load.
THE SHORT CIRCUIT RATIO

Large power source powering small Load

Small power source powering large Load

THE SHORT CIRCUIT RATIO
THE SHORT CIRCUIT RATIO
VARIABLE FREQUENCY DRIVES (VFD)
What kind of harmonic do the VFD create? – it
depends on the following:
• Based on input rectifier scheme
• Size and relationship between the drive and the
power source.
PASSIVE HARMONIC FILTERS SET UP – IN SERIES WITH THE LOAD

➢ Provides a low impedance path for harmonic frequencies

➢ Acts like a trap to harmonic currents

ACTIVE HARMONIC FILTERS SET UP – IN PARALLEL TO THE LOAD
HARMONICS IN DIFFERENT TYPE OF RECTIFIERS
NORMAL FLOW OF HARMONIC CURRENTS
General flow of harmonic currents in a radial power system
Power factor capacitors can alter the direction of flow of one of the
harmonic components of the current.
HARMONICS VS TRANSIENTS
• Transient Disturbances contain high frequency
components

• Harmonics occur in the steady state and are integer

multiples of the fundamental frequency.

• The waveform distortion of harmonics is present

continually, or at least for several seconds.

• Transients are usually dissipated within a few cycles.

• Transient are associated with switching of a

capacitor.

• Harmonics are associated with the continuing

operation of loads
PARALLEL RESONANCE – Impedance to current flow is high
PARALLEL RESONANCE ANALOGY

1 1 1 1
= + +
ZTotal ZL ZC ZR

XL=ZL=1 1 1 1
= + =   IR = 1A
ZLC ZL ZC
XC=ZC =1
U
R=ZR =100 I= = 1A
Z Total
U=100 V
UR=(1 Ampere) (100) =100V
PARALLEL RESONANCE
PARALLEL RESONANCE
PARALLEL RESONANCE SAMPLE

For example, for an industrial load bus where the transformer impedance
is dominant, the resonant harmonic for a 1500-kVA, 6 percent transformer
and a 500-kvar capacitor bank is approximately ;
SERIES RESONANCE – Impedance to current flow is low
SERIES RESONANCE ANALOGY
SYSTEM WITH POTENTIAL SERIES RESONANCE
POWER FACTOR CORRECTION

Power Factor – is the ratio of active power (watts) to the

total root-mean-squared (RMS) volt-amperes, commonly
called apparent power
POWER FACTOR CORRECTION
LEADING AND LAGGING POWER FACTOR

The power factor of any operating power system or any component of any power system may be lagging or
leading. The determining factor is the relationship between the directions of the active and reactive power flow.

Phasor Diagrams showing leading and lagging currents and power factor
POWER FACTOR CORRECTION

BENEFITS OF POWER FACTOR IMPROVEMENT

1. Lower Utility cost

2. Release of systems capacity
3. Voltage improvement
4. Lower systems losses

Improving Power Factor formula

POWER FACTOR CORRECTION
POWER FACTOR CORRECTION
USEFUL FORMULAS (VOLTAGE STUDY AND MONITORING)
USEFUL FORMULAS (VOLTAGE STUDY AND MONITORING)
EXAMPLE PROBLEM
What is the percent change in voltage at the bus when the transformer is rated 1000 kVA with 6%
impedance and with a capacitor bank rated 300 kVAR?
EXAMPLE PROBLEM
Power Systems Loss Reduction

What is the % loss reduction in the line if the existing power factor 0f 80% lagging will be
corrected to unity power factor?
EFFECTS OF HARMONIC DISTORTION
• Impact on capacitors – Capacitor bank experiences high voltage
distortion during resonance. The current flowing in the capacitor bank
is also significantly large. Figure show typical capacitor current with
11th harmonic resonance.
EFFECTS OF HARMONIC DISTORTION
• Impact on Transformers – there are three effects that result in
increased transformer heating when the load current includes
harmonic components:
➢ RMS Current – harmonic currents may result in transformer rms
current being higher than its capacity.
➢ Eddy Current Losses – induced currents flow in the windings, in the
core, and in other conducting bodies subjected to the magnetic field of
the transformer and cause additional heating.
➢ Core Losses – Increasing the voltage distortion may increase the eddy
currents in the core laminations.
EFFECTS OF HARMONIC DISTORTION

• Impact on Motors – voltage distortion at the motor terminals is

translated into harmonic fluxes, harmonic fluxes do not contribute
significantly to motor torque but rotate at a frequency different the
rotor synchronous frequency, inducing high frequency currents in the
rotor.
• Impact on Telecommunications – create interference.
• Impact on energy and demand metering –impact the accuracy of the
watthour and demand meters.
OPTIONS FOR CONTROLLING HARMONICS

1. Reduce the harmonic currents produced by the load.

2. Add filters to either siphon the harmonic currents off the
system, block the currents from entering the system, or
supply the harmonic currents locally.
3. Modify the frequency response of the system by filters,
inductors, or capacitors.
MODIFYING THE SYSTEMS FREQUENCY RESPONSE
1. Add a shunt filter. Not only does this shunt a troublesome harmonic
current off the system, but it completely changes the system
response, most often, but not always, for the better.
2. Add a reactor to detune the system. Harmful resonances generally
occur between the system inductance and shunt power factor
correction capacitors. The reactor must be added between the
capacitor and the supply system source. One method is to simply put
a reactor in series with the capacitor to move the system resonance
without actually tuning the capacitor to create a filter. Another is to
add reactance in the line.
MODIFYING THE SYSTEMS FREQUENCY RESPONSE
3. Change the capacitor size. This is often one of the least expensive
options.
4. Move a capacitor to a point on the system with a different short-
circuit impedance or higher losses.
5. Remove the capacitor and simply accept the higher losses, lower
voltage, and power factor penalty. If technically feasible, this is
occasionally the best economic choice.
HARMONIC STUDY PROCEDURE
1. Determine the objectives of the study. This is important to keep the
investigation on track.
2. If the system is complex, make a premeasurement computer
simulation based on the best information available.
3. Make measurements of the existing harmonic conditions,
characterizing sources of harmonic currents and system bus voltage
distortion.
4. Study the new circuit condition or existing problem.
5. Develop solutions (filter, etc.) and investigate possible adverse system
interactions. Also, check the sensitivity of the results to important
variables.
HARMONIC STUDY PROCEDURE
6. After the installation of proposed solutions, perform monitoring to
verify the correct operation of the system.
FILTER DESIGN

STEPS IN DESIGNING A FILTER

1. Choose the value of capacitance needed to improve the power factor to eliminate
penalty as well as the system to be efficient. This is usually about 95% power
factor.
2. Select a reactor to series tune the capacitor to the desired harmonic. This is
usually the 5th harmonic in system where the source of harmonic current is from
static power converters.
3. Calculate the peak voltage across the capacitor and the total RMS current reactor.
4. Choose standard components to meet the duty that is placed upon them
EXAMPLE PROBLEM
REACTOR SIZING
REACTOR SIZING
REACTOR SIZING – Details of Capacitor Banks
REACTOR SIZING
REACTOR SIZING

USE: 270Amp, 13.8kV Reactor, in series with the capacitor

HARMONIC FILTER DESIGN: CASE STUDY
A single-tuned notch filter will be designed for an industrial facility and
applied at a 480-V bus. The load where the filter will be installed is
approximately 1200 kVA with a relatively poor displacement power factor
of 0.75 lagging. The total harmonic current produced by this load is
approximately 30 percent of the fundamental current, with a maximum
of 25 percent 5th harmonic. The facility is supplied by a 1500kVA
transformer with 6.0 percent of impedance. The fifth-harmonic
background voltage distortion on the utility side of the transformer is 1.0
percent of the fundamental when there is no load.
HARMONIC FILTER DESIGN: CASE STUDY
COMPARISON TABLE FOR EVALUATING FILTER DUTY LIMIT
THE K FACTOR RATING OF POWER TRANSFORMER
Transformer that are required to supply power to non-linear loads must
de-rated based on the percentages of harmonic components in the load
current and rated winding eddy current. The method of determining the
capability of transformers to handle harmonic loads is K Factor ratings.
The K Factor computed by multiplying the square of the individual
harmonic current by the square of the current’s harmonic number.
These products are then summed to produce K Factor. The sum of the
products harmonic and current number is divided by the sum of the
percentage units squared.
Standard K Factor Ratings are: K-4, K-9, K13, K-20, K-30, K-40 and K-50.
THE K FACTOR RATING OF POWER TRANSFORMER (cont.)
Example Problem:
A three-phase, 60Hz transformer is required to supply a non-linear
load comprised of 150amp of fundamental, 26amp of 3rd harmonic, 45
of 5th harmonic, and 56amp of 7th harmonic. Determine the kVA rating
and K Factor rating of the power transformer
Solution:
A. K-Factor Rating
THE K FACTOR RATING OF POWER TRANSFORMER (cont.)
B. Power Rating

Select: 150 kVA, 3-phase, 480 Volts K-9 (K-Factor rating)

PQA RESULT SAMPLE
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THANK YOU!
lladero.triphasic@gmail.com
0939-9901314