2/14/22, 12:46 PM Harmonic sources | What causes harmonics

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Harmonic sources - What causes harmonics?

What causes harmonics
Harmonics (https://www.eaton.com/us/en-us/products/controls-drives-automation-sensors/harmonics.html?utm_campaign=aticHarmonics) are
the result of nonlinear loads that convert AC line voltage to DC. Harmonics flow into the electrical system because of
nonlinear electronic switching devices, such as variable frequency drives (https://www.eaton.com/us/en-us/products/controls-drives-
automation-sensors/variable-frequency-drives.html?utm_campaign=aticHarmonics) (VFDs), computer power supplies and energy-
efficient lighting.

The general categories of harmonic producing loads (also called nonlinear loads) are:

Power electronic equipment VFDs, electronically commutated (EC) motors, rectifiers, computers, LED lights, EV
chargers, etc.)

Arcing devices (welders, arc furnaces, fluorescent lights, etc.)

Iron saturating devices (transformers)

Today, the most prevalent and growing harmonic sources are:

VFD’s, EC motors, battery chargers and EV chargers

Computer power supplies and other electronics

LED and fluorescent lighting

CHARACTERISTIC HARMONICS BY LOAD TYPE

The following table highlights the characteristics or

expected harmonics for typical loads of a specific type.

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2/14/22, 12:46 PM Harmonic sources | What causes harmonics

Source Typical Harmonics*

6-pulse drive/rectifier 5, 7, 11, 13, 17, 19…

12-pulse drive/rectifier 11, 13, 23, 25…

18-pulse drive 17, 19, 35, 37…

24-pulse drive 23, 25, 47, 49…

EC motor 5, 7, 11, 13, 17, 19…

Switch-mode power supply 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13…

Fluorescent/LED lights 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13…

Arcing devices 2, 3, 4, 5, 7…

Transformer energization 2, 3, 4

For VFDs, H = NP +/- 1

i.e., 6-pulse drive – 5, 7, 11, 13, 17, 19…

* Harmonic magnitude decreases as harmonic order increases

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 Harmonic frequencies (https://www.eaton.com/us/en-us/products/controls-drives-automation-sensors/harmonics.html?

utm_campaign=aticHarmonics)

 Harmonic symptoms (https://www.eaton.com/us/en-us/products/controls-drives-automation-sensors/harmonics/harmonic-

symptoms---effects-of-harmonics.html?utm_campaign=aticHarmonics)

 Harmonic solutions (https://www.eaton.com/us/en-us/products/controls-drives-automation-sensors/harmonics/harmonic-solutions---

reduction-of-harmonics.html?utm_campaign=aticHarmonics)

 Harmonics FAQs (https://www.eaton.com/us/en-us/products/controls-drives-automation-sensors/harmonics/harmonics-faq-video-

library.html?utm_campaign=aticHarmonics)

Help with harmonics

Harmonics in power systems result in increased costs and downtime. Get help from
Eaton.

(https://www.eaton.com/us/en-us/products/controls-drives-automation-sensors/harmonics/harmonics-calculator.html?utm_campaign=aticHarmonics)

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2/14/22, 12:46 PM Harmonic sources | What causes harmonics

Harmonics calculator 

(https://www.eaton.com/us/en-us/products/controls-drives-automation-sensors/harmonics/harmonic-analysis-study-in-the-power-system---eaton.html?
utm_campaign=aticHarmonics)

Harmonics analysis studies 

(https://www.eaton.com/us/en-us/forms/automation-and-control/contact-me-variable-frequency-drives.html?utm_campaign=aticHarmonics)

Contact a harmonics expert 

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2/14/22, 12:46 PM Harmonic sources | What causes harmonics

Harmonic frequencies alter an electrical wave, distorting the

power

Take a perfect wave with a fundamental frequency of 60

Hz, which is close to what is supplied by the power company.

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2/14/22, 12:46 PM Harmonic sources | What causes harmonics

Add a second wave that is five times the fundamental

frequency — 300 Hz (typical of frequency added to the line

by a fluorescent light).

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2/14/22, 12:46 PM Harmonic sources | What causes harmonics

Combine the two waves. The result is a 60 Hz supply rich

in fifth harmonics.

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Harmonic solutions explained

Our new white paper provides technical recommendations for reducing harmonic distortion,
improving system capacity and improving system reliability while evaluating installed costs.

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2/14/22, 12:46 PM Harmonic sources | What causes harmonics

Download the white paper

(https://www.eaton.com/us/en-us/forms/automation-and-
control/harmonics-white-paper.html)

   Harmonic sources FAQs

How do I know if my project will have a

harmonics issue and how do I determine
the right harmonic solution?
Learn and understand if your project will have harmonics
issues and which harmonic solution to select.

 View all Harmonics FAQ videos (https://www.eaton.com/us/en-

us/products/controls-drives-automation-sensors/harmonics/harmonics-
faq-video-library.html?utm_campaign=aticHarmonics)

All harmonic sources video FAQs

Does a 5% reactor cause a 5% voltage drop at my drive? (https://www.eaton.com/us/en-us/products/controls-drives-automation-

sensors/harmonics/harmonics-faq-video-library/does-a-5--reactor-cause-a-5--voltage-drop-at-my-drive.html?utm_campaign=aticHarmonics)

How do I know if my project will have a harmonics issue and how do I determine the right harmonic solution? (https://www.eaton.com/us/en-
us/products/controls-drives-automation-sensors/harmonics/harmonics-faq-video-library/how-do-i-know-if-my-project-will-have-a-harmonics-
issue-and-how-.html?utm_campaign=aticHarmonics)

Should I be more concerned with 100A of 5th harmonic or 80% THD?  Can I increase my linear load to cancel my harmonics?
(https://www.eaton.com/us/en-us/products/controls-drives-automation-sensors/harmonics/harmonics-faq-video-library/should-i-be-more-
concerned-with-100a-of-5th-harmonic-or-80-perce.html?utm_campaign=aticHarmonics)

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2/14/22, 12:46 PM Harmonic sources | What causes harmonics
Do harmonic and 60 Hz load currents change at the same rate? (https://www.eaton.com/us/en-us/products/controls-drives-automation-
sensors/harmonics/harmonics-faq-video-library/do-harmonic-and-60-hz-load-currents-change-at-the-same-rate.html?
utm_campaign=aticHarmonics)

What is a nonlinear load? (https://www.eaton.com/us/en-us/products/controls-drives-automation-sensors/harmonics/harmonics-faq-video-

library/what-is-a-non-liner-load.html?utm_campaign=aticHarmonics)

Harmonics FAQ video library

(https://www.eaton.com/us/en-us/products/controls-
drives-automation-sensors/harmonics/harmonics-faq-
video-library.html?utm_campaign=aticHarmonics)

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Communicate with a harmonics expert

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2/14/22, 12:46 PM Harmonic sources | What causes harmonics

Do you have additional questions or just want to communicate with someone well-versed in
harmonics? We have experts ready to answer any questions you may have.

Contact us
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