Guest Article
Power Quality - Best Practices Part 2
Baldev Raj Narang - CEO Clariant Power System Ltd
In part 1 of the article on this subject we discussed
the best practices on power quality expected to be
followed by various stake holders. In second part of
the article, we will discuss some more specific practices
to promote awareness about healthy practices.
Guest Article
Power Transformers and Power Quality
Reactive Power and Power Quality solutions
are applied to transformer as a unit and each
transformer needs independent solution for the load
connected to it. The burden of harmonic currents
and higher load currents caused by poor power
factor is taken by the transformer. Plants having
multiple distribution transformers need basic rough
correction at each transformer. A fine correction to
take care of PF incentives and harmonic penalties
can be centrally applied for the main utility
incomer. Targeting unity power factor and ideal
harmonic levels at each transformer is good but not
necessary. Similarly managing to get overall PF and
50 ELECTRICAL MIR R OR || JANUARY 2023 ||
harmonic target by overlooking some transformers
is not a healthy practice. K-Rated Transformers are
designed to handle higher harmonic levels but if the
solutions are applied to get harmonics in line with
IEEE519 norms then these are not needed. Usually,
normal duty transformers with harmonic mitigation
solution are adequate. Converter Duty Transformers
are increasingly being used for VFD application
to avoid generation of harmonic currents. Most
common application is a three winding converter
duty transformer used to feed 12 pulse VFDs. The
5th and 7th harmonics are ideally eliminated in 12
pulse arrangement but in actual practice it is found
that along with 11th and 13th harmonics 5th and 7th
harmonics are also present to a significant extent. It is
normal practice to apply harmonic mitigation solution
on the primary side of converter duty transformer,
but it is observed to be inadequate solution. Passive
solution applied on the secondary windings are very
effective in mitigating harmonics and in improving
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the transformer efficiency and life. voltage profile, but it has been widely prevalent.
Changing tariff structures have made leading PF
Heavy Duty Capacitors punishable and are now acting as a deterrent. Some
Today with advancing technology capacitors both amount of fixed compensation can be considered for
MPP and APP are available with guaranteed life base load depending upon specific load profile of
of 5 years or more. Low ESR MPP capacitors can plant.
be offered even with lifetime guarantee. Ironically,
heavy duty capability can turn out to be a deceptive Active, Passive or Hybrid Solution

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feature. Resonance is common and the capacitors All solutions have their advantages and disadvantages
take the major impact of heavy resonance currents. and there is no universal solution for all applications.
Resonance is a self-correcting phenomenon and An optimum solution is one which meets the
under resonance condition one or more capacitors requirements of PF, harmonics, operating cost,
are expected to act like fuse and isolate themselves maintenance needs, space requirement and above all
to take the system out of resonance. MPP capacitors investment needed for the specific application.
with their self-correcting features of self-healing and
overpressure interrupter mechanism and open circuit Ideal way to compare available options
mode of failure are capable of isolating themselves from different vendors
to save the installation from a bigger mishap. APP It is most common practice to compare the costs of
capacitors on the other hand have short circuit mode available options from different vendors for identical
of failure and no self-correcting features and thus are system configuration. The comparison is fair, but it
not capable of taking the system out of resonance. has limitations. The configurations may be same
This can eventually lead to major mishaps. Thus, but the design optimization particularly of passive
APP capacitors being unsafe are a big no. Similarly system for harmonic mitigation may vary widely from
low ESR capacitors with capabilities of extreme vendor to vendor, further the systems are normally
overloading are also not recommended unless they and unnecessarily oversized. A better option is to fix
are provided with self-isolating mechanism beyond a the performance parameters and compare the costs
certain allowable overloading. after giving vendors flexibility for optimizing the
system configuration and size of active and passive
Fixed or Auto Compensation alternatives. This ensures optimum configuration,
Indiscriminate use of fixed compensation leads to size, and inherent design of active and passive
leading power factor and also adversely affects the options. EM

Mr. Baldev Raj Narang is an Electrical Engineering Graduate from

Delhi College of Engineering, University of Delhi and is currently
CEO of Pune-based Clariant Power System Ltd, a company which in
association with FRAKO Germany is engaged in providing solutions in
reactive power and power quality management to Indian and overseas
customers in diverse fields. Mr. Narang is Chairman of Capacitors
and Power Quality Division of IEEMA, Member of ETD 01 of BIS and
member of Working Group 11 of IEC TC08. Mr. Narang has previously
worked for Indian Oil Corporation and Century Enka Ltd, among
others. He can be reached at baldevrajnarang@clariantindia.co.in
or Phone +91-7719996868

www.electricalmirror.net || JANUARY 2023 || ELECTRICAL MIR ROR 51