Design and Implementation of Passive Harmonic
Filter Using Simulation Tool
Nattapon Panmala
Electrical and Software Systems Engineering, The Sirindhorn
International Thai-German Graduate School of Engineering
King Mongkut’s University of Technology North Bangkok
1518 Pracharat 1 Rd., Bangsue, Bangkok, Thailand
nattapon.p-epe2018@tggs.kmutnb.ac.th
Abstract— This paper presents a design and implementation
of the passive harmonic filter using the simulation tool. The
results of the simulation tool are calculated from the various
system parameters including transmission line, distribution
system, static load, harmonic load, capacitor bank, and passive
harmonic filter. The simulation program can be divided the
calculations into 2 parts. The first part is the power factor
correction calculation by using the capacitor bank. The second
is the calculation for designing passive harmonics filter
application. The results of the analytical methods illustrate
Power Factor (PF) correction, Total Harmonics Voltage
Distortion (THDV) and Capacitive rated current, which
especially consider designing of the passive harmonic filter. The
simulation program was carried out using MATLAB with user-
friendly graphical user interface (GUI). In addition, the
simulation program can be used as teaching aids for Power
System Harmonics.
Keywords—Harmonic Analysis, Passive Filter, Capacitor
Bank
I. INTRODUCTION
The development of technologies in industrialization more
efficiently transfers production scheme than traditional
production scheme. The major component of production
process is rotating machines which controlled speed and
torque by static power converter. Nowadays, the power
electronic technologies are crucial role to control production
process in large industry as high precision and low energy
consumption to reduce operating cost. Meanwhile, the static
power converter is the largest nonlinear loads that influences
to electrical equipment in distribution systems by harmonic
currents. The effect of harmonic currents lead to losses of
electrical distribution system cables, transformer losses and
reactive compensation current amplification [1]. Eventually,
the power quality plays importance role, which is impacted
from Harmonics in power systems producing from nonlinear
loads.
Harmonics is changing of the sinusoidal nature of current
and voltage influenced by nonlinear loads. Common source of
harmonics current in power systems includes power electronic
converter, arc furnaces, static VAR systems. Namely, these
devices can cause harmonics current with widely varied
characteristic because of controlling scheme [2]. In
distribution systems, the resonant condition may occur from
reactive compensation using power factor improvement
capacitors. This result is the outcome of parallel resonant,
which influenced by harmonic current in distribution systems.
To avoid power quality problems, reactive power
compensation is conducted especially by calculation of
voltage distortion and current rate occurring during harmonics
current flow. The common type of reactive power
compensation includes Capacitor bank and Passive harmonics
978-1-7281-4100-8/19/$31.00 ©2019 IEEE
Pichet Sriyanyong
*,**
Department of Teacher Training in Electrical Engineering,
Faculty of Technical Education*
International College**
King Mongkut's University of Technology North Bangkok
1518 Pracharat 1 Rd., Bangsue, Bangkok, Thailand
pichet.s@fte.kmutnb.ac.th
filter by using De-tune type. Normally, the distribution
systems, where is influenced by harmonics, use Passive
harmonic filter to avoid amplification of capacitive and
harmonic current. A configuration of passive harmonic filter
is connection between capacitor and reactor depending on
resonant frequency tuning [3]. Complexly, the calculation of
harmonics flow in distribution systems consists of many
components and orders of harmonics with recommendation
standard such as IEEE Std 519-2014, IEEE Std 18-2012 as
well as IEC 60831-1.
This paper presents the simulation program for reactive
power compensation using passive harmonic filter to design
power factor correction units appropriately. Case studies
consist of parameter Transmission line, Distribution systems,
Load configuration and reactive power compensation
(including Capacitor Bank and De-tune filter). To understand
power quality problems, the case study automatically fill
parameter to calculate the worst-case condition. The
simulation result of analysis programs illustrates Power Factor
(PF) correction, Total Harmonics Voltage Distortion (THDV)
and capacitive rated current which especially considered to
design reactive power compensation. The simulation program
was carried out using MATLAB with user-friendly graphical
user interface (GUI). In addition, the simulation program can
be used as teaching aids for Power System Harmonics.
II. ANALYTICAL METHODS OF HARMONICS IN ELECTRIC
POWER SYSTMES
A. Harmonics in Power Systems
IEEE 519-1992 explains harmonic as a sinusoidal
component of high frequency integrated with fundamental
frequency [2]. For example, if the fundamental frequency is
50 Hz, so the harmonic of order two is 100 Hz. Mathematical
model is specific explanation of harmonic in electric power
systems by defined harmonic as multiple of fundamental
frequency [4]. This result is coming from nonlinear loads and
it changes the sinusoidal nature of the AC power current.
When electric power systems have large proportion of
nonlinear loads, the harmonic current obviously influences the
voltage distortion illustrating to distortion of sinusoidal
waveform. The harmonic distortion waveform is shown in
Fig. 1 [5].
To analyze a harmonic power flow, it is calculated at
steady state in term of equivalent circuit by simplifying
nonlinear loads to harmonic sources. This harmonic source is
considered as injection of harmonics current to impedance of
power systems. The Point of Common Coupling (PCC) is
generally defined as the customer connection point, which
uses for investigating power quality as well as the harmonics
power flow.
2019 Research, Invention, and Innovation Congress (RI2C 2019)
 CH1-3 : 1200 V/div T = 10 ms/div CH1 CH2 CH3

Fig. 1 The result of harmonics waveform that influences fundamental
waveform
To explain harmonics distortion for each part of systems,
it is considered to be equivalent circuit which is shown in Fig.
2 [6].
Fig. 3 Field measurement of voltage waveform influencing by harmonics
B. Harmonic Analysis in Electric Power Systems
The distortion waveform of voltage and current is power
quality problems in electric power systems from harmonic
currents [7]. To consider the harmonics power flow in
electric power systems, model investigation and system
analysis play importance role. The model parameters consist
of characteristic of transmission line depending on level of
voltage, transformer and load connected to PCC. The analysis
model is simplified as a single phase in equivalent circuit
from three phase balance systems to calculate Thevenin
impedance, which is connected to distribution systems. The
distribution systems model is shown in Fig. 4 and equivalent
circuit is shown in Fig. 5.

Fig. 2 Individual harmonic voltage drops across system impedance

From Fig. 2, the equivalent circuit illustrates impedance and

source that can be calculated by following equation
including:

Lh h ch th(
V = I  Z +Z + Z
sh ) (1)

(
Vth = I h  Zth + Z sh ) (2)

Vsh = I h  ( Z sh ) (3)
where
Ih is current at order of harmonics;
Fig. 4 Distribution systems
VLh is load voltage at order of harmonics;
Vth is transformer voltage at order of harmonics;
Vsh is grid source voltage at order of harmonics;
Z ch is impedance of cable at order of harmonics;
Z th is impedance of transformer at order of harmonics;
Z sh is impedance of grid source at order of harmonics.

Fig. 3 shows an example of waveform when nonlinear loads

draws current from the utility supply, the voltage distortion
occur as a result of voltage drop across system impedance.
The explanation is based on Ohm’Law that voltage drop is
depending on each harmonic frequency and how large of Fig. 5 Equivalent circuit of distribution systems connecting De-tune filter
current amplitude.
 To calculate harmonic in electric power systems, the P.F is major requirement. However, in practical, the
equivalent circuit illustrates impedance and harmonics source distribution systems, where influenced with power quality
in circuit which is calculated from following equations: problems, must consider the impact from harmonics in power
Vh = Zh  Ih (4) systems or implementation by particular design of passive
h h h harmonic filter. These problems lead a reactive current
exceeding limit according to standard. Amplification of
2 2 2 2 2
V = Vh + Vh + Vh + Vh + ... + Vh (5) reactive current can be described in equation (7). Basically,
h 5 7 11 13 35 the recommendation of Shunt capacitor and harmonics
V  3 100% standard consist IEEE Std 18-2012 and IEEE Std 519-2014
h respectively.
%THD = (6)
v V
pcc A. IEEE Standard 519-2014
Vh h This standard is recommended for the practical use and
Icr = h (7) require for harmonic control in electric power systems
h Z
c providing by IEEE Power and Energy Society. The voltage
and current waveforms recommend in term limits percentage
2 2 2 2 2
Icr = Icr + Icr + Icr + Icr + ... + Icr (8) which shown in TABLE I . The PCC point is considered as a
rms 1 5 7 11 35
point to design goals of electrical equipment interference
Icr from harmonic in trem of voltage level and percentage
Ic = rms (9)
Ratio distortion [2].
Icr
rated
TABLE I VOLTAGE DISTORTION LIMITS
 −1  QLoad − (Qcr  Step ) 
P. F . = cos  tan   (10)
   Bus voltage V at PCC Individual Total harmonic
  P
Load  harmonic (%) distortion THD (%)
where V ≤ 1.0 kV 5.0 8.0
1 kV < V ≤ 69 kV 3.0 5.0
Vhh is voltage at order of harmonics h; 69 kV < V ≤161 kV 1.5 2.5
161 kV < V 1.0 1.5
Zhh is impedance at order of harmonics h;
B. IEEE Standard 18-2012
Ihh is current at order of harmonics h; The standard requirement of power capacitors to design
Vh and connect to distribution and transmission systems is IEEE
is voltage; 18-2012. Alternatively, IEC 60831-1 is identical standard
%THDv is percentage of total harmonics distortion for which recommended for shunt capacitor bank. IEEE 18-2012
recommends capacitor ability to operate and limitation points
voltage; following: [8]
V pcc is point of common coupling which load 1) RMS voltage is not exceeded 1.1 times of rated;
connected; 2) Peak voltage is not exceeded 1.2 times of rated
including harmonic;
Icrh is current of reactive compensation at order of 3) The proportion of operation current and rated
harmonics; current is not exceeded 1.35 times;
Xc is impedance of reactive compensation; 4) kVAr is not more than 1.35 times of rated.

Icrrms is total current of reactive compensation; IV. THE SIMULATION PROGRAM OF PASSIVE HARMONIC FILTER
DESIGN (PHFD)
IcRatio the ratio of capacitive rated current; The developed simulation program based on MATLAB
P.F . is power factor at PCC; using program Graphic User Interface (GUI). To develop the
model, understanding characteristic of reactive compensation
QLoad is reactive power consumption of load; and distribution systems is crucial. Commonly, the reactive
PLoad power compensation can be divided to two types [9]. Firstly,
is active power consumption of load;
shunt capacitor connects to distribution systems which is well
Qcr is reactive power compensation; known as Capacitor bank. Secondly, capacitor bank connects
series with reactor as particularly percentage then connects to
Step is number of compensation unit connecting. distribution systems. This type of compensation units
generally knows as Passive harmonics filter using de-tune
III. INVESTIGATION OF PASSIVE HARMONIC FILTER type [10]. Nowadays, the passive harmonic filter is
Generally, the passive harmonic filter is used as reactive commercial solution to improve power system quality and
power compensation or power factor correction to control power factor correction simultaneously. The numerically
voltage at terminal load (PCC) and to reduce apparent power intensive repetitive calculation is required to design de-tune
consumption which utility recommend above 0.85 lagging for filter [11]. The de-tune filter is designed to avoid harmonic
P.F. otherwise utility will charge electricity bill for reactive amplification that it will damage compensation units by
power consumption (e.g. Thailand utility). Meanwhile, the connecting the reactors to be resonance at particularly
passive harmonics filter mitigates harmonic in electric power frequency. The objective of development software is that
systems. To investigate application of reactive compensation, simulation of distribution systems to illustrate the result for
design reactive compensation for both Capacitor bank and • Distribution transformer including transformer rated
Passive harmonic filter which may influence from nonlinear is 1000 kVA, voltage at secondary side is 400 V,
loads representing the largest harmonic source. The Percentage impedance is 6 percent and transformer
simulation program includes Menu programs page, Manual composite loss is 15 kW;
operation and Main program, which is shown in Fig. 6. The • Voltage at PCC is 400 V;
name of simulation program is Passive Harmonic Filter
• Linear load including load rated is 400 kW and P.F.
Design (PHFD) that is developed for teaching material for
Department of Teacher Training in Electrical Engineering. is 0.6 lagging;
• Nonlinear load including load rated is 200 kW and
P.F. is 0.8 lagging;
• Capacitor bank including voltage rated is 400 V,
Reactive power compensation is 50 kVAr and step
compensation 12 steps;
• De-tune filter including percentage inductive is 7
percent, quality factor is 50 percent, capacitor voltage
rated is 525 V, capacitor power rated is 80 kVAr and
step compensations is 12 steps.
B. Capacitor Bank Case Study
The case study of capacitor bank connects to distribution
Fig. 6 Menu program of PHFD systems also nonlinear load that may influence operation of
capacitor bank. Parameter configuration is identical to other
From Fig. 6, the Menu program of PHFD is the first page of study cases. In this operation mode, distribution systems
analytical software. In this page, the user can access to Main compensate reactive power by Capacitor bank that result for
program or Manual operation by selecting from bottom analysis as shown in Fig. 8.
menu. To access Main program, user select Next button then
the Main program will appear. The Main program is shown
in Fig. 7. The Main program illustrates five main features.
First is Diagram and parameter configuration. Second is
Harmonic source configuration and Compensation current
for each order result. Third is the result for user analysis
compensation units including P.F., %THDv, proportion of
compensation current and resonance frequency. Fourth is
Impedance graph vary with frequency. Fifth is Buttons menu
for the analysis program including calculation mode, case Fig. 8 Impedance graph of power systems installing Capacitor bank
study and operation menu.
The operation mode of simulation program consists of
two operational modes. Firstly, capacitor bank calculation
mode is operated by connection capacitor bank to distribution
systems and another is that Passive filter using De-tune type
connecting to distribution systems.

Fig. 9 A calculation result of Capacitor bank case study

C. Passive Harmonic Filter Case Study

The case study of passive harmonic filter is compensation
units using De-tune filter connecting to distribution systems.
The distribution systems is identical with all parameters as
well as rate of reactive power compensations. The calculation
Fig. 7 Main program of PHFD results is shown in Fig. 10.
V. DESIGN OF CASE STUDIES AND DISCUSSION
A. Parameter of Case Study for Analytical Methods
The analytical method of harmonic power flow analysis
include parameter following:
• Transmission line including frequency as 50 Hz,
MVAsc is 100 MVA and X/R ratio is 5;
Fig. 10 Impedance graph of power systems installing De-tune filter

Fig. 11 A calculation result of De-tune filter case study
D. Comparison Case Study for Analysis Result
From calculation result in Fig. 8 to Fig. 10, the design of
capacitor bank is exceeded limit. Capacitor bank case study
amplify harmonics current by %THDv have a slight increase
for each connection step of capacitor bank. The %THDv and
Rated current of capacitor bank is exceed the limit for 5
percent of THDv and 135% of Rated current of shunt
capacitor bank according to IEEE Standard 519-2014 [5] and
IEEE Standard 18-2012 [8], respectively. The comparison of
case study is shown in TABLE II.
TABLE II COMPARISON OF CASE STUDY RESULT FOR ANALYSIS
%THDv Ic(rms)/Icr
Step
C. Bank De-Tune C. Bank De-Tune
1 6.51 4.01 1.38 0.82
2 7.66 3.82 1.33 0.82
3 6.85 3.64 1.21 0.82
4 5.94 3.49 1.11 0.82
5 7.05 3.34 1.12 0.82
6 8.80 3.21 1.16 0.82
It is clear that the passive harmonic filter using De-tune
type can be used as proposed instead capacitor bank to avoid
harmonic problems. The characteristic of passive harmonic
filter as De-tune is designed to mitigate a harmonic problem
in reactive compensation by installation reactor, which is
calculated based on resonance at specific frequency. The
resonance frequency is designed to below or between
frequency of harmonic. Fig. 10 shows impedance scan of
passive harmonic filter that designed at 7 percent of
Capacitive power, which is resonance at frequency between
155 Hz to 185 Hz.
VI. CONCLUSION
The design of passive harmonic filter is required for
complicated analytical methods. The development of the
simulation program aims to calculate specific parameters to
design reactive compensation in both capacitor bank and
passive harmonic filter, which may influence from harmonics
in electric power systems. Complicatedly, the analytical
method takes many iterations in each harmonic order to
consider steady-state results for analysis of nonlinear loads
that connected to the distribution systems, such as Static
Power Converter, Variable Frequency Drive and Power
Electronics Converter. The simulation program is used as a
tool for designing passive harmonic filter and capacitor bank.
In addition, it is an effective tool for the electrical engineer as
well as the teaching aids for the subject that relevant to
harmonics in electric power systems.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The authors would like to thank the Department of
Teacher Training in Electrical Engineering, Faculty of
Technical Education, King Mongkut's University of
Technology North Bangkok (KMUTNB) for financial support
to attend the RI2C2019 conference.
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