Power Quality and Harmonics:

Causes, Effects and Remediation Techniques

Carol Gowan Chad Loomis, PE Cornell University PDC Electrical Design Section
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12/13/2006

Overview
What is Power Quality? What are some power quality concerns? What are Harmonics and what causes them? What effects do Poor PQ and Harmonics have on a building power system and components? How can Power Quality and Harmonics Issues be mitigated? Questions
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What is Power Quality?

Can be defined as:
Any power problem manifested in
voltage, current, or frequency deviations

that results in failure or misoperation of customer equipment

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What are general classes of power quality problems per IEC?

(Intl Electrotechnical Commission)

Conducted low-frequency phenomena

Signal systems (power line carrier) Voltage fluctuations (flicker) Voltage dips and interruptions Voltage Imbalance (unbalance) Power frequency variations Induced low-frequency voltages DC in ac networks Harmonics, interharmonics

Radiated low-frequency phenomena

Magnetic and Electric Fields
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Categories and Characteristics of Power System Electromagnetic Phenomena (IEC)

Voltage Fluctuations within Cornells Utility Distribution

Transients very quick < 1 cycle
Normal cause is lightning strike No lights flicker Cornell Utilities employs lightning arrestors at substations and at primary switches located at each building electric service equipment End users need to purchase/install TVSS equipment to further clamp the voltage 6 spike.

Voltage Fluctuations within Cornells Utility Distribution

Sags / Swells
Voltage imbalance lasting from 3-20 cycles Typical cause NYSEG switching on the incoming 115kV transmission line Lights flickering are indicative of this fault Utilities does not protect for this condition
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Voltage Fluctuations within Cornells Utility Distribution

Long term voltage fluctuations
As load increases, voltage drops (and vice versa) Cornell Utilities compensates the long-duration voltage variations through the use of automatic load tap changers at the Maple Ave. substation System voltage tolerance limits are set in ANSI C84.1. The Cornell system voltages are designed to always operate in the range A limits (108 126V)
* refer to IEEE 141-1993
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Voltage Fluctuations within Cornells Utility Distribution

Harmonic Distortion
Typically generated within a facility, not a distribution issue Utilities does not protect for this condition
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CBEMA curve for susceptibility of 120V Computer Equipment

Computer Business Equipment Manufacturers Association Early 1980s CBEMA designed the curve to point out ways in which system reliability could be provided for electronic equipment

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ITIC curve for susceptibility of 120V Computer Equipment

Information Technology Industry Council This derivation was developed to show a curve that more accurately reflects the performance of typical single-phase, 60-Hz computers and their peripherals

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Computer Equipment Disturbance Table

(Dranetz-BMI Field handbook for PQ Analysis)

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What are NOT proper descriptors of power quality problems per IEC?
Blackout Blink Brownout Bump Clean Ground Clean Power Dirty Ground Dirty Power Glitch Outage Interruption Power Surge Raw power Spike Surge Wink

We all need to define the power quality in proper terms to address the problem. Is it voltage quality, harmonics, etc? Metering and analysis is the best way to resolve the issue.

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What are the causes of most trouble tickets issued for computer problems at Cornell?
Internally (building area specific) induced problems Shared neutrals Overloaded circuits (breakers tripping) Poorly or improperly grounded circuits Note there are VERY minimal utility / delivery issues (we are very fortunate here at Cornell!) Handful of harmonic issues in the last 20 yrs, but harmonics are becoming a larger concern with more sophisticated systems and buildings.
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What Are Harmonics?

A component frequency of a harmonic motion of an electromagnetic wave that is an integral multiple of the fundamental frequency
US fundamental frequency is 60 Hertz
3rd Harmonic is 3 x 60Hz or 180Hz 5th Harmonic is 5 x 60Hz or 300Hz, etc.
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What Causes Harmonics?

Non-Linear Loads
Current is not proportional to the applied voltage

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Linear vs. Non-linear loads and current waveforms

Linear loads and current waveforms.
Pure resistance, inductance, and capacitance are all linear. What that means: If a sine wave voltage of a certain magnitude is placed across a circuit containing pure resistance, the current in the circuit follows Ohm's Law: I = E R. So, for a specific value of ohms, the relationship of volts and amperes is a straight line. The current will always be a sine wave of the same frequency. Linear Loads include Incandescent lighting, heating loads, and motors
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Linear vs. Non-linear loads and current waveforms

Nonlinear loads and current waveforms.
Solid state electronics is based on the use of semiconductors. These materials are totally different in that their response to voltage is not a straight line. What this means: With a nonlinear load, you cannot easily predict the relationship between voltage and current unless you have an exact curve for each device. With equipment containing many solid-state devices, such an approach is impossible. Nonlinear loads are switched on for only part of the cycle, as in a thyristor-controlled circuit, or pulsed, as in a controlled-rectifier circuit.
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Effect of harmonics on waveform

180 Out of Phase

In Phase

When a waveform is identical from one waveform to the next, it can be represented as a sum of pure sine waves in which the frequency of each sinusoid is an integer multiple of the fundamental frequency of the distorted wave. The sum of the sinusoids created by harmonics can be analyzed using the 19 Fourier series concept

What do harmonics do?

Harmonics are carried through the system from the source and can nearly double the amount of current on the neutral conductor in three phase four wire distribution systems.
Distorted currents from harmonic-producing loads also distort the voltage as they pass through the system impedence. Therefore, a distorted voltage can be presented to other end users on the system. Overall electrical system and power quality is affected by the introduction of harmonics.

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Sources of Harmonics
Solid State Electronic Devices which contain a poor power supply
Computers (PCs/CPUs) Laser Printers Copy Machines Video display terminals File Servers Battery Chargers

*Solid State UPS Units Solid State Devices (Fluorescent lighting ballasts) **Rectifiers (AC-DC Converters VFDs) Welding Units Arc Furnaces

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What are the order of typical harmonics generated by non-linear loads?

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Effects of Harmonics
Distorted Voltage Overheated Transformers and Motors
Increases Hysteresis (magnetization) losses in steel and iron cores of transformers, motor and magnetic trip units of circuit breakers (Equipment inefficiencies and overheating)

Heating of Neutral Conductors

Skin Effect Increased amount of current flowing on the outside of conductors (overheating)

Low Voltage at End Loads High Neutral to Ground Voltages at End Loads
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Effects of Harmonics (cont)

Operation Problems of Relays and Circuit Breakers
Thermal/Magnetic Trip Circuit Breakers Fuses & bimetal strips respond to True RMS Harmonic currents increase eddy current losses in the core steel of the metallic strip. This causes an OVERprotection situation Increased losses generate additional heat, this effect the thermal trip of the unit. Electronic Trip Circuit Breakers Magnitude and phase angle(s) of harmonic current(s) in relationship to the fundamental current can cause:
Overprotection when: Peak current sensing > True RMS Underprotection when: Peak current sensing < True RMS

Changing power system loads will vary the magnitude and 24 phase angle, resulting in inaccurate and unpredictable sensing units and overload protection

Effects of Harmonics (cont)

Communication Problems
If sharing common parallel path, potential for harmonics to have inductive coupling effect on unshielded cabling

Current Measurement Problems (distorted waveform) Unreliable Operation of Electronic Equipment

Mis-operation of electronic equipment that measures frequency or uses the zero crossing point of a sine wave.

Control of Speed and Voltage Problems on Emergency Generators (supplying power) Capacitor Bank Application Problems (heating) Computer (PC/CPU) data errors / data loss
Affects power supplies and sensitive electronics
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How can Harmonics be Reduced?

Isolate harmonic loads on separate circuits (with or without harmonic filters) Harmonic mitigating transformers Phase shifting (zig-zag) transformers
Used to cancel out specific harmonics by making one voltage circuit 180 degrees out-of-phase

Filter capacitor backs

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How can Harmonics be Reduced?

For VFD and UPS specifically:
Line Reactors K-Rated / Drive Isolation Transformers Harmonic Mitigating / Phase Shifting Transformers 12, 18 or 24 pulse Converters Passive parallel / series tuned Filters Active Filters
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How can Harmonics be Reduced?

PROPER GROUNDING
Neutral to ground conductor connection at one location; at main panel or transformer secondary When neutral is connected to ground at multiple locations, interference can occur with sensitive electronic devices. Run power and control conductors in separate raceways Sensitive loads should not share neutral and ground conductors. Avoid using conduit as the ground return path, run dedicated ground wire with circuit conductors 28 Refer to IEEE Std 1100-1992 (Emerald Book)

Computer Equipment Grounding

TOP Radial or daisy chain grounding Although Code compliant per NEC, small differences in potential can cause unintended ground loops BOTTOM Best method for grounding is via dedicated equipment grounding conductors back to the source 29

IEEE Defined Harmonic Current Limits

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Voltage Limit / Harmonics Evaluation Procedure

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Questions?

Thank You!

Cornell Planning, Design & Construction Carol Gowan 254-1457 cag57@cornell.edu Chad Loomis 255-8039 cel36@cornell.edu
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Simplified Distribution System Diagram

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Phase Conductors Heating from Skin Effect Conduits Heating from Skin Effect and eddy currents
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Simplified Distribution System Diagram

Circuit breakers False tripping due to high heat and higher frequencies caused by harmonics
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Peak sensing CBs may trip because of higher peaks

Simplified Distribution System Diagram

Neutral conductors high current from zero sequence triplen harmonics (3rd & 9th) can add as much as 30% to neutral current even if phases are balanced. Shared neutrals or reduced size neutral can be hazardous (no CB to protect from overcurrent!)

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Simplified Distribution System Diagram

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Neutral to ground voltage at receptacle Excessive neutral current results in high voltage drops between neutral and ground at the outlet

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Simplified Distribution System Diagram

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Neutral bus bar overloading and heat from zero sequence harmonics (3rd and 9th)
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Simplified Distribution System Diagram

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Panelboard enclosure heating from eddy currents (induced currents caused by magnetic fluxes), as well as vibration (buzzing sound).

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Simplified Distribution System Diagram

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Transformers heating from eddy currents reduces the life of a transformer insulation system, and lowers efficiency.
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Simplified Distribution System Diagram

Induction Motor Leads Heating from eddy currents and negative sequence harmonics (5th, 11th, 17th,etc.) Note Negative sequence harmonics work AGAINST a motors natural rotation, making it work harder!

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Simplified Distribution System Diagram

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Power factor (kVAR) Capacitors since they are lowest impedence, resultant high harmonic current can overheat capacitors and/or blow fuses.

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Simplified Distribution System Diagram

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kW and kVAR meter may have reading errors when harmonic currents are present.
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Simplified Distribution System Diagram

In addition, emergency generators can have speed control and voltage supply issues caused by harmonics, and harmonics can impact communications cabling and sensitive electronic equipment.

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Typical PQ Evaluation Process

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