1

Harmonic Analysis of the Power Distribution

Neutral-to-Earth Voltage (NEV) Test Case using
Four-Wire Three-Phase Harmonic Current
Injection Method
A.M. Variz, Member, IEEE, J.L.R Pereira, Senior Member, IEEE,
S. Carneiro, Jr., Senior Member, IEEE, and P.G. Barbosa, Member, IEEE

Abstract This work presents several harmonic analyses using

the Four-Wire Three-Phase Harmonic Current Injection Method
(FHCIM) to simulate the Power Distribution Neutral-to-Earth
Voltage (NEV) Test Case. FHCIM is a fast and reliable NewtonRaphson multi-frequency power flow methodology to simulate
unbalanced three-phase electric power systems with explicit
representation of the network characteristics and components,
including the harmonic couplings of non-linear loads as well as
neutral conductors and groundings. The NEV test case is a radial
distribution network in which the neutral voltages and currents
present an important role due the system unbalances, grounding
impedances and neutral conductors. Harmonic distortion on real
networks, are due to the proliferation of non-linear loads, and
can affect both neutral-to-earth voltage levels and neutral
currents. Therefore, a digital tool for harmonic analysis is
becoming very important for planning studies of electrical power
systems. Simulations of the original NEV test case with
unbalanced 3rd harmonic loads, as well as a modified case with
non-linear loads, represented by SVCs, were carried out with the
purpose of investigating the presence of a wide harmonic
propagation spectrum.
Index Terms Grounding, Harmonic analysis, Harmonic
distortion, Power distribution, Power system harmonics.

I. INTRODUCTION

armonic distortions and unbalances in real electrical

power systems affect not only phase components but
also neutral voltages and currents. Information regarding
neutral harmonic components is very important for power
systems operation and planning [1]-[4] studies, since they
increase system losses, lessen the sensitivity of ground-fault
relays and interfere with communication systems and
electronic devices [2], [5]. These problems are significant in
modern networks and have become a growing concern to
Power Quality analyses [6], [7], due to the increasing level of
The present work has had the support of CAPES, Brazilian Government
Agency for Academic Furtherment.
A.M. Variz, J.L.R. Pereira and P.G. Barbosa are with the Department of
Electrical Engineering at Federal University of Juiz de Fora (UFJF), Juiz de
Fora, Brazil (e-mails: abilio@ieee.org, jluiz@ieee.org, pedro.gomes@ieee.org).
S. Carneiro, Jr., is with the Department of Electrical Engineering at Federal
University of Rio de Janeiro (COPPE-UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (e-mail:
sandoval@coep.ufrj.br).

978-1-4244-4241-6/09/$25.00 2009 IEEE

neutral harmonic components. These components are a

consequence of the substantial degree of unbalances in
distribution systems and the proliferation of non-linear loads,
as well as switching (time-varying) devices [8]. Therefore,
computer-based techniques to analyze four-wire three-phase
harmonic generation and penetration are very important for
the study of electrical networks [1], [8].
The IEEE Test Feeders [9] have been developed to provide
some realistic cases to assist the validation of power system
analysis programs. Important additions to these sample
systems have been presented in Panel Discussions organized
in recent years by the IEEE Distribution Systems Analysis
Sub-Committee (DSASC at) major PES conferences. A
neutral-to-earth voltage single-feeder case (NEV) has been
proposed by W.H. Kersting in [10]. This test case was
successfully simulated at fundamental frequency (60 Hz) as
reported in [11] using the Current Injection Method and in
[12] using the Alternative Transient Program (ATP). Relevant
contributions are also presented in [13] where the simulation
of this test system including the presence of a 3rd harmonic
load is reported. The authors decided to apply the Four-Wire
Three-Phase Harmonic Current Injection Method (FHCIM) to
examine the harmonic components of this single-feeder
system, including the presence of non-linear-loads,
represented by 3rd harmonic unbalanced loads and a SVC
device.
II. THE FOUR-WIRE THREE-PHASE HARMONIC CURRENT
INJECTION METHOD (FHCIM)
FHCIM is a multi-frequency Newton-Raphson four-wire
three-phase power flow methodology, based on the current
injection equations in frequency domain, with explicit
representation of neutral conductors and groundings. The
FHCIM basic matrix system is given by:

(1)
[I ] = [J ] [V ]
where:
complex vector with the
[I ] isnodalthe four-wire
harmonic
current
injection
abcn

abcn

abcn

mismatches;

abcn

[J ]

harmonic analysis information regarding neutral harmonic components.

The number of iterations considering the nodal current
mismatches less than 1.0mA in each test case is listed in
V abcn is the four-wire complex vector with the Table 2.
nodal harmonic voltage increments.
TABLE 2
In FHCIM, all simulated frequencies are grouped together
NUMBER OF ITERATIONS REQUIRED BY FHCIM
Test Case
Number of iterations
Maximum mismatch (mA)
in a unique single matrix system. Thus all frequency
NEV-1
2
0.063
subsystems are solved at once in each iteration. The technique
NEV-2
2
0.063
allows a more complete and accurate representation of device
NEV-3
4
0.045
models, especially non-linear loads. FHCIM can be regarded
NEV-4
4
0.037
NEV-5
3
0.677
as an extension of the three-phase methodology presented in
NEV-6
3
0.272
[14], which is a generalization to the frequency domain of the
NEV-7
4
0.045
algorithms described in [15]- [17].

abcn

is the four-wire
Jacobian matrix;

complex

III. THE TEST SYSTEM

The NEV single-circuit three-phase feeder, as described in
[10], is illustrated in Fig. 1.

A. Original NEV Single Feeder Case (NEV-1)

Tables Error! Reference source not found. to 5 present
simulation results of the original NEV test case (NEV-1)
obtained by the FHCIM, Penido et al [11], Sunderman et al
[13], and McDermott [12].
TABLE 3
60HZ CURRENTS (A) AT THE LOAD NODE 21 IN NEV-1 TEST CASE
Phase
FHCIM
Penido et al. [11]
McDermott [12]
A
446.02
446.00
446.14
B
503.48
503.45
503.38
C
351.26
351.24
351.17
N
162.42
not available
161.58

Fig. 1. NEV single three-phase feeder test system

In the original configuration, the four-conductor threephase line is connected to an ideal 12.47kV (line-to-line)
source (substation) and is 6,000ft (1,828.80m) long. The
average pole span is 300ft (91.44m) and the neutral conductor
is connected to ground at every pole through a 100
resistance [10]-[13]. As reported in [10], the line primitive
series resistance and inductance matrices were calculated
using Carsons equations are given by (2) and (3),
respectively. The soil resistivity was taken as 100m and the
shunt capacitances were neglected.

TABLE 4
60HZ NEUTRAL-TO-EARTH CURRENTS (A) AT SELECTED NODES IN NEV-1
Node
FHCIM
Penido et al. [11]
McDermott [12]
2
0.08
0.08
not available
11
0.78
0.78
not available
21 (Load)
1.60
1.60
1.50

As expected, the FHCIM results are in close agreement

with the other methods. The existing small differences can be
attributed to the use of distinct mathematical approaches, such
as in ATP [11] and a different line impedance matrix in [13].
B. NEV with 3rd Harmonic Load (NEV-2)

In [13], a test case with 3rd harmonic load was proposed to

investigate
NEV issues involving triplen harmonics (h=3, 6,
0.4013 0.0953 0.0953 0.0953

9,, etc.). For the FHCIM simulation, this load was

0.0953 0.4013 0.0953 0.0953
/ mile
R=
(2) represented as a constant 3rd harmonic current injection equal
0.0953 0.0953 0.4013 0.0953

to 8% of the 60Hz nominal current value.

0.0953 0.0953 0.0953 0.6873
The modified system nodal voltages and neutral-to-earth
3.7489 2.2587 1.9274 1.9958
currents
at selected nodes are listed in Tables 6 and 7. Note

2.2587 3.7489 2.0695 2.0863

(3) that, in spite of the low 3rd harmonic load current (8%), the
L=
mH / mile
1.9274 2.0695 3.7489 2.0356
harmonic distortion in the neutral voltages and currents is

1.9958 2.0863 2.0356 4.1022

substantial (about 18%) and requires special attention.
The wye connected unbalanced load is modeled as
constant active and reactive load powers [18] with parameters
listed in Table 1.
Phase
A
B
C

TABLE 1
UNBALANCED LOAD PARAMETERS
MVA
Power Factor
3.00
0.90 lagging
3.50
0.95 lagging
2.50
0.85 lagging

IV. SIMULATIONS
A series of simulations were made to provide important

Freq.
60Hz

180Hz

THD

TABLE 5
HARMONIC VOLTAGES (V) AT SELECTED NODES IN NEV-2
Node
Phase
1(source)
2
10
20
21(load)
A
7199.6
7182.4 7045.5 6877.7
6861.2
B
7199.6
7187.3 7089.2 6965.9
6953.5
C
7199.6
7188.2 7097.7 6986.4
6975.4
N
0.00
7.78
70.4
151.4
159.8
A
0.00
4.16
37.2
77.0
80.8
B
0.00
3.88
35.0
74.5
78.5
C
0.00
2.98
26.9
57.3
60.4
N
0.00
1.45
13.1
28.2
29.8
A
0.00%
0.06%
0.53%
1.12%
1.18%
B
0.00%
0.05%
0.49%
1.07%
1.13%
C
0.00%
0.04%
0.38%
0.82%
0.87%
N
0.00%
18.57% 18.58% 18.65%
18.67%

TABLE 6
NEUTRAL-TO-EARTH HARMONIC CURRENTS (A) AT SELECTED NODES IN
NEV-2 TEST CASE
Node
Freq.
2
8
14
20
21(load)
60Hz
0.0778
0.546
1.020
1.510
1.600
180Hz
0.0145
0.101
0.190
0.282
0.298

C. NEV with Non-Linear Load (NEV-3)

The original NEV test case was modified with the
connection of a non-linear load, represented by a SVC (Static
VAr Compensator). The purpose of this simulation is to
investigate the harmonic generation and propagation in a fourwire distribution feeder. The parameters of this additional
load
are
listed
in
Table
8.
TABLE 7
SVC PARAMETERS USED IN NEV-3
SVC Branches
Parameters
Size
Losses
Capacitor bank
Nominal Voltage
Connection Type
Size
TCR
Losses
(Thyristor Controlled
Nominal Voltage
Reactor)
Connection Type
Firing Angle

Node 21
1.0MVAr
1.0kW
12.47kV
Wye
3.0MVAr
1.0kW
12.47kV
Wye
135o

The simulation was accomplished considering 30 harmonic

frequencies. The calculated SVC harmonic current injections
are presented in Table 9. Fig. 2 shows the neutral-to-earth
grounding currents profile.
1.60

Fundamental (60Hz)

Grounding Current (A)

1.40

h=3 (180Hz)

1.20

h=5 (300Hz)
h=7 (420Hz)

1.00

h=9 (540Hz)

0.80
0.60
0.40
0.20
0.00
2

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

Nodes

Fig. 2. Neutral-to-Earth grounding current Profile in Case NEV-3

The load nodal voltage and neutral-to-earth voltage spectra

are shown in Tables 10 and 11, respectively. Table 12 lists the
system voltage THDs. It can be seen that the NEV-3 network

presents a significant NEV (Neutral-to-Earth Voltage) THD

with substantial values of triplen harmonics. These results
confirm the existence of NEV issues involving triplen
harmonics as mentioned in [13] as well as the importance of
its analysis.
TABLE 8
HARMONIC CURRENTS CONSUMED BY THE SVC (NODE 21) IN NEV-3
Phase A
Phase B
Phase C
o
o
o
h
A
A
A
1
20.50
-91.44
21.10
145.98
21.50
28.73
3
16.20
-96.59
16.70
-103.40
16.90
-95.88
5
3.020
88.31
2.860
-169.90
3.040
-29.77
7
2.880
94.12
1.970
-62.38
3.200
-164.30
9
1.680
118.22
2.050
130.46
1.380
117.66
11
1.320
-100.60
1.410
-4.46
2.310
129.42
13
2.200
48.19
1.330
-52.72
2.390
-166.90
15
1.530
131.91
1.640
-65.37
0.319
-19.46
17
0.862
51.58
1.180
-164.30
0.695
-26.28
19
0.517
79.76
0.517
-79.91
0.240
-170.70
21
0.084
-49.26
0.132
155.60
0.077
-55.87
23
0.078
-121.70
0.121
-24.70
0.124
129.55
25
0.080
66.62
0.071
-98.61
0.038
-163.60
27
0.032
110.29
0.048
-43.75
0.032
106.36
29
0.017
-117.30
0.028
-43.42
0.031
123.86
TABLE 9
HARMONIC NODAL VOLTAGE SPECTRUM (V) AT NODE 21 IN NEV-3
h
Freq. (Hz)
Phase A
Phase B
Phase C
Neutral
1
60
6876.0
6967.8
6992.0
161.00
3
180
55.680
53.300
51.540
119.17
5
300
12.120
11.200
10.320
3.820
7
420
12.010
9.850
20.910
10.490
9
540
24.590
26.860
20.650
24.760
11
660
11.040
9.480
20.360
2.610
13
780
21.940
11.690
24.160
0.625
15
900
13.080
18.010
6.350
2.430
17
1020
9.710
13.310
8.240
0.564
19
1140
6.130
6.490
3.910
0.378
21
1260
1.530
1.660
1.610
0.520
23
1380
1.590
2.060
1.970
0.175
25
1500
1.200
1.230
0.921
0.115
27
1620
0.778
0.757
0.864
0.232
29
1740
0.519
0.658
0.600
0.075
THD
1.02%
0.97%
0.99%
75.95%
TABLE 10
HARMONIC NEV (V) AT SELECTED NODES IN NEV-3
h
Node 2
Node 11
Node 20
1
7.8400
78.900
152.55
3
5.7700
58.110
112.81
5
0.1830
1.8400
3.6100
7
0.4950
4.9900
9.8900
9
1.1500
11.570
23.250
11
0.1180
1.1900
2.4400
13
0.0275
0.2780
0.5820
15
0.1030
1.0500
2.2500
17
0.0232
0.2370
0.5200
19
0.0150
0.1540
0.3470
21
0.0199
0.2040
0.4750
23
0.0064
0.0662
0.1580
25
0.0041
0.0422
0.1040
27
0.0079
0.0820
0.2090
29
0.0024
0.0254
0.0667
THD
75.39%
75.43%
75.85%

Node
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21

TABLE 11
VOLTAGE THDS AT THE SYSTEM NODES IN NEV-3
Phase A
Phase B
Phase C
0.000%
0.000%
0.000%
0.055%
0.054%
0.055%
0.110%
0.107%
0.109%
0.165%
0.161%
0.164%
0.220%
0.215%
0.218%
0.275%
0.268%
0.272%
0.330%
0.321%
0.326%
0.384%
0.373%
0.379%
0.438%
0.425%
0.432%
0.492%
0.477%
0.484%
0.544%
0.527%
0.535%
0.596%
0.577%
0.586%
0.648%
0.625%
0.635%
0.698%
0.673%
0.684%
0.747%
0.719%
0.731%
0.796%
0.765%
0.777%
0.843%
0.808%
0.822%
0.889%
0.851%
0.865%
0.933%
0.892%
0.907%
0.977%
0.932%
0.947%
1.019%
0.970%
0.986%

Neutral
0.000%
75.393%
75.393%
75.393%
75.394%
75.395%
75.397%
75.402%
75.408%
75.417%
75.429%
75.446%
75.468%
75.495%
75.530%
75.574%
75.626%
75.689%
75.764%
75.852%
75.954%

D.NEV-3 with reduced grounding resistance at the load

node (NEV-4)
The next simulation is made considering the NEV-3 test
system with the grounding resistance at the load node (node
21) reduced from 100 to 10. Table 13 presents a
comparison of selected harmonic voltages obtained from
NEV-3 and NEV-4 test cases.
TABLE 12
HARMONIC VOLTAGES (V) AT SELECTED NODES AND PHASES IN NEV-3 AND
NEV-4
Node 2 phase A
Node 11 phase B
Node 21 phase C
h
NEV-3
NEV-4
NEV-3
NEV-4
NEV-3
NEV-4
1
7183.1
7182.7
7084.0
7088.9
6992.0
6990.3
3
3.200
4.040
29.800
38.760
51.540
69.550
5
0.628
0.644
5.760
5.790
10.320
10.180
7
0.589
0.499
5.300
5.900
20.910
21.030
9
1.520
2.610
15.750
26.870
20.650
41.780
11
0.541
0.506
4.460
3.780
20.360
21.890
13
1.100
1.110
5.760
5.840
24.160
24.530
15
0.627
0.594
9.340
9.470
6.350
6.630
17
0.497
0.519
6.600
6.500
8.240
8.520
19
0.302
0.303
3.260
3.240
3.910
4.130
21
0.086
0.090
0.846
0.944
1.610
1.780
23
0.083
0.085
1.030
1.000
1.970
1.990
25
0.058
0.059
0.626
0.629
0.921
1.000
27
0.044
0.045
0.390
0.432
0.864
0.920
29
0.028
0.029
0.334
0.330
0.600
0.629
THD
0.05%
0.07%
0.53%
0.70%
0.99%
1.31%

The harmonic three-phase voltages are little affected by the

grounding impedance reduction at the load node. However, as
shown in Tables 14 and 15, significant changes can be noted
in the neutral spectra and distortions, as well as a substantial
increase in the neutral-to-earth current at the load node. This
case stresses the importance of the load grounding in system
analysis.

TABLE 13
HARMONIC NEV (V) AT SELECTED NODES IN NEV-3 AND NEV-4
Node 2
Node 11
Node 21 (load)
h
NEV-3
NEV-4
NEV-3
NEV-4
NEV-3
NEV-4
1
7.8400
7.1800
78.900
72.270
161.00
147.46
3
5.7700
4.5100
58.110
45.460
119.17
93.220
5
0.1830
0.1080
1.8400
1.0900
3.820
2.250
7
0.4950
0.2390
4.9900
2.4100
10.490
5.060
9
1.1500
1.0500
11.570
10.5800
24.760
22.640
11
0.1180
0.0867
1.1900
0.8770
2.610
1.920
13
0.0275
0.0175
0.2780
0.1780
0.625
0.399
15
0.1030
0.0655
1.0500
0.6660
2.430
1.540
17
0.0232
0.0133
0.2370
0.1350
0.564
0.322
19
0.0150
0.0085
0.1540
0.0870
0.378
0.214
21
0.0199
0.0113
0.2040
0.1160
0.520
0.295
23
0.0064
0.0032
0.0662
0.0326
0.175
0.086
25
0.0041
0.0022
0.0422
0.0223
0.115
0.061
27
0.0079
0.0041
0.0820
0.0424
0.232
0.120
29
0.0024
0.0011
0.0254
0.0117
0.075
0.035
THD 75.39%
64.67%
75.43%
64.70%
75.95%
65.18%
TABLE 14
HARMONIC NEUTRAL-TO-EARTH GROUNDING CURRENTS (A) AT SELECTED
NODES IN NEV-3 AND NEV-4
Node 10
Node 20
Node 21 (load)
h
NEV-3
NEV-4
NEV-3
NEV-4
NEV-3
NEV-4
1
0.70900 0.64960 1.53000 1.39717 1.61000 14.74587
3
0.52200 0.40855 1.13000 0.88236 1.19000 9.32156
5
0.01660 0.00977 0.03610 0.02128 0.03820 0.22522
7
0.04490 0.02164 0.09890 0.04769 0.10500 0.50614
9
0.10400 0.09498 0.23200 0.21260 0.24800 2.26420
11
0.01070 0.00787 0.02440 0.01795 0.02610 0.19198
13
0.00250 0.00159 0.00582 0.00371 0.00625 0.03989
15
0.00941 0.00597 0.02250 0.01425 0.02430 0.15384
17
0.00212 0.00121 0.00520 0.00297 0.00564 0.03217
19
0.00138 0.00078 0.00347 0.00196 0.00378 0.02141
21
0.00183 0.00103 0.00475 0.00269 0.00520 0.02947
23
0.00059 0.00029 0.00158 0.00078 0.00175 0.00859
25
0.00038 0.00020 0.00104 0.00055 0.00115 0.00608
27
0.00073 0.00038 0.00209 0.00108 0.00232 0.01200
29
0.00023 0.00010 0.00067 0.00031 0.00075 0.00345

E. NEV-3 with reduced grounding resistance at all poles

(NEV-5)
In NEV-5, the grounding resistances connected to all poles
are reduced from 100 to 10. The neutral-to-earth voltages
at selected nodes in the NEV-3 and NEV-5 test cases are
listed in Table 16.
TABLE 15
HARMONIC NEV (V) AT SELECTED NODES IN NEV-3 AND NEV-5
Node 7
Node 14
Node 20
h
NEV-3
NEV-5
NEV-3
NEV-5
NEV-3
NEV-5
1
47.140
19.940
103.04
47.490
152.55
80.520
3
34.710
6.3900
75.940
16.410
112.81
33.420
5
1.1000
0.0885
2.4100
0.2580
3.6100
0.6440
7
2.9800
0.1480
6.5500
0.5020
9.8900
1.4800
9
6.8900
1.0400
15.2000
4.0800
23.250
13.920
11
0.7090
0.0398
1.5700
0.1820
2.4400
0.7020
13
0.1650
0.0075
0.3680
0.0391
0.5820
0.1700
15
0.6230
0.0220
1.4000
0.1320
2.2500
0.6350
17
0.1400
0.0036
0.3160
0.0245
0.5200
0.1310
19
0.0907
0.0017
0.2060
0.0132
0.3470
0.0771
21
0.1200
0.0024
0.2760
0.0207
0.4750
0.1320
23
0.0388
0.0005
0.0899
0.0043
0.1580
0.0300
25
0.0246
0.0003
0.0576
0.0031
0.1040
0.0231
27
0.0477
0.0005
0.1130
0.0063
0.2090
0.0516
29
0.0147
0.0001
0.0352
0.0015
0.0667
0.0130
THD 75.40%
32.46%
75.50%
35.64%
75.85%
45.02%

Note that, there is a substantial difference between NEV-3

and NEV-5 results. This can also be observed comparing Fig.
3 and Table 17, with the results shown in Fig. 2 and Table 12,
respectively. These comparisons and the previous results from
NEV-4 demonstrate the importance of the accurate
representation of groundings in distribution systems.
9,00

Fundamental (60Hz)

Grounding Current (A)

8,00

h=3 (180Hz)

7,00

h=5 (300Hz)

6,00

h=7 (420Hz)

5,00

h=9 (540Hz)

4,00
3,00
2,00
1,00
0,00
2

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

Nodes

Fig. 3. Neutral-to-Earth grounding current Profile in Case NEV-5

TABLE 16
Node
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21

VOLTAGE THDS AT THE SYSTEM NODES IN NEV-5

Phase A
Phase B
Phase C
0.000%
0.000%
0.000%
0.100%
0.100%
0.096%
0.200%
0.201%
0.192%
0.300%
0.302%
0.289%
0.401%
0.402%
0.385%
0.502%
0.503%
0.482%
0.604%
0.604%
0.578%
0.705%
0.704%
0.674%
0.806%
0.804%
0.769%
0.907%
0.904%
0.864%
1.007%
1.002%
0.958%
1.106%
1.099%
1.051%
1.203%
1.194%
1.142%
1.298%
1.287%
1.230%
1.391%
1.377%
1.316%
1.480%
1.463%
1.398%
1.564%
1.544%
1.476%
1.644%
1.620%
1.548%
1.716%
1.690%
1.614%
1.782%
1.751%
1.672%
1.839%
1.804%
1.722%

Neutral
0.000%
32.277%
32.280%
32.291%
32.316%
32.368%
32.458%
32.604%
32.821%
33.129%
33.546%
34.092%
34.783%
35.638%
36.673%
37.900%
39.335%
40.991%
42.882%
45.022%
47.432%

F. NEV-3 with balanced load (NEV-6)

The next simulation is made considering the NEV-3 test
system with the original 60Hz constant PQ load which is
modeled as balanced with the following parameters:
TABLE 17
BALANCED LOAD PARAMETERS FOR NEV-5 TEST CASE
Phase
MVA
Power Factor
A
3.00
0.90 lagging
B
3.00
0.90 lagging
C
3.00
0.90 lagging

The nodal voltages on the load node, the neutral-to-earth

grounding currents at selected nodes and the line current
flows between nodes 20 and 21 are presented in Tables 19, 20
and 21, respectively. The existing unbalances in these tables
are due to the non-transposition of the three-phase lines.

TABLE 18
HARMONIC NODAL VOLTAGE SPECTRUM (V) AT THE LOAD TERMINALS (NODE
21) IN NEV-6
h
Phase A
Phase B
Phase C
Neutral
1
6893.5
6977.2
6954.8
18.87
3
56.250
54.660
50.040
119.41
5
10.470
10.350
11.270
0.191
7
14.050
13.530
13.200
1.530
9
25.450
24.990
22.820
25.330
11
14.320
10.670
16.150
0.846
13
19.400
15.320
28.640
1.030
15
3.820
3.120
5.470
2.880
17
13.420
14.940
6.940
0.374
19
5.300
6.690
4.830
0.195
21
1.060
1.130
1.110
0.582
23
2.100
2.180
1.840
0.052
25
1.110
1.270
1.110
0.033
27
0.613
0.635
0.622
0.277
29
0.657
0.672
0.612
0.013
THD
1.02%
0.97%
0.97%
647.00%
TABLE 19
HARMONIC NEUTRAL-TO-EARTH GROUNDING CURRENTS (A) AT SELECTED
NODES IN NEV-6
h
Node 2
Node 7
Node 12
Node 17
Node 21
1
0.0092
0.0553
0.1019
0.1495
0.1887
3
0.0578
0.3478
0.6415
0.9431
1.1941
5
0.0001
0.0005
0.0010
0.0015
0.0019
7
0.0007
0.0043
0.0080
0.0119
0.0153
9
0.0117
0.0705
0.1305
0.1948
0.2533
11
0.0004
0.0023
0.0043
0.0064
0.0085
13
0.0005
0.0027
0.0051
0.0077
0.0103
15
0.0012
0.0074
0.0138
0.0212
0.0288
17
0.0002
0.0009
0.0017
0.0027
0.0037
19
0.0001
0.0005
0.0009
0.0014
0.0019
21
0.0002
0.0013
0.0025
0.0041
0.0058
23
0.0000
0.0001
0.0002
0.0004
0.0005
25
0.0000
0.0001
0.0001
0.0002
0.0003
27
0.0001
0.0006
0.0011
0.0018
0.0028
29
0.0000
0.0000
0.0001
0.0001
0.0001
TABLE 20
HARMONIC CURRENT FLOW (A) BETWEEN NODES 20 AND 21 IN NEV-6
h
A
B
C
N
1
426.9315
420.2254
423.6380
6.8184
3
16.5325
16.7149
16.5269
49.1318
5
2.9278
2.9591
2.9751
0.1027
7
2.5926
2.7396
2.6238
0.4195
9
1.7977
1.7526
1.6406
5.0142
11
1.7142
1.4541
1.9296
0.1240
13
1.8993
1.6141
2.8590
0.1867
15
0.1313
0.0738
0.2957
0.4606
17
1.2127
1.3713
0.5620
0.0204
19
0.4312
0.5386
0.3367
0.0182
21
0.0243
0.0298
0.0334
0.0825
23
0.1339
0.1463
0.1055
0.0052
25
0.0660
0.0775
0.0582
0.0027
27
0.0113
0.0124
0.0140
0.0354
29
0.0331
0.0356
0.0277
0.0015
THD
4.06%
4.16%
4.12%
724.38%

As expected, the network presents very low fundamental

neutral current and voltage, and a substantial level of neutral
triplen harmonics (h=3, 9, 15, 21, 27). In consequence, a
significant neutral current and voltage THD can be observed.
This test case demonstrates the possibility of electrical
networks presenting high values of neutral THDs, and
confirms the importance of a harmonic simulation tool to
analyze the neutral characteristics of power systems.

G.NEV-3 with loss of groundings (NEV-7)

The NEV-3 test case with the loss of groundings at nodes
10, 11 and 12 was simulated. Comparisons results (NEV-3 x
NEV-7) are presented in Tables 22 and 23. The grounding
losses slightly increased the NEV and the neutral line current.
However, a significant increase is noted in the neutral-to-earth
current. This simulation confirms once again the importance
of the appropriate representation of the neutral groundings.
TABLE 21
HARMONIC NEV (V) AT SELECTED NODES IN NEV-3 AND NEV-7
Node 9
Node 11
Node 13
h
NEV-3
NEV-7
NEV-3
NEV-7
NEV-3
NEV-7
1
62.970
63.830
78.900
79.950
94.9600
96.070
3
46.370
47.890
58.110
60.000
69.9700
72.110
5
1.4700
1.5800
1.8400
1.9800
2.2200
2.3900
7
3.9800
4.3600
4.9900
5.4700
6.0200
6.5800
9
9.2100
9.5800
11.570
12.020
13.9700
14.480
11
0.9490
1.0300
1.1900
1.2900
1.4400
1.5500
13
0.2210
0.2460
0.2780
0.3090
0.3380
0.3730
15
0.8340
0.9360
1.0500
1.1800
1.2800
1.4200
17
0.1880
0.2150
0.2370
0.2710
0.2890
0.3280
19
0.1220
0.1400
0.1540
0.1770
0.1880
0.2150
21
0.1610
0.1870
0.2040
0.2370
0.2510
0.2880
23
0.0522
0.0616
0.0662
0.0780
0.0815
0.0950
25
0.0331
0.0391
0.0422
0.0496
0.0521
0.0606
27
0.0643
0.0762
0.0820
0.0971
0.1020
0.1190
29
0.0199
0.0239
0.0254
0.0305
0.0317
0.0374
THD 75.41%
76.90%
75.43%
76.92%
75.47%
76.94%
TABLE 22
NEUTRAL CURRENT FLOW (A) FROM NODE 9 TO EARTH AND BETWEEN NODES
9 AND 10 IN NEV-3 AND NEV-7
Node 9 to Earth
Node 10 to 11
h
NEV-3
NEV-7
NEV-3
NEV-7
1
0.1570
0.6383
155.10
156.66
3
0.1150
0.4789
44.300
45.500
5
0.0037
0.0158
0.8050
0.8612
7
0.0099
0.0436
1.7700
1.8985
9
0.0229
0.0958
3.5700
3.5902
11
0.0024
0.0103
0.3330
0.3434
13
0.0005
0.0025
0.0217
0.0254
15
0.0021
0.0094
0.2810
0.2954
17
0.0005
0.0021
0.0092
0.0129
19
0.0003
0.0014
0.0386
0.0406
21
0.0004
0.0019
0.0428
0.0455
23
0.0001
0.0006
0.0111
0.0121
25
0.0001
0.0004
0.0100
0.0106
27
0.0002
0.0008
0.0162
0.0173
29
0.0000
0.0002
0.0047
0.0051
THD
75.02%
76.90%
28.68%
29.17%

operation of the network devices can present

significant values [4];
iii) Proliferation of non-linear loads in distribution
systems, especially those that produce triplen
harmonics, will tend to increase. As a consequence the
neutral distortions and harmonic levels will tend to be
higher [13].
The NEV single feeder test system is very useful for
benchmark purposes and system analyses, since a wide range
of simulations can be carried out. Besides, it can serve as base
for more complex network studies.
REFERENCES
[1]
[2]
[3]
[4]
[5]

[6]
[7]
[8]
[9]
[10]

[11]

[12]
[13]

V. CONCLUSIONS
This panel presented a series of harmonic simulations
considering the characteristics of the neutral conductor and
groundings. Important aspects such as the correct
representation of neutral groundings and NEV issues
involving triplen harmonics are analyzed. All test cases were
simulated in the frequency domain using FHCIM, which
attained good convergence properties in less than 4 iterations.
The FHCIM explicit representation of neutral conductors
and groundings for harmonic analysis is very important, since:
i) Four-wire feeders are widely adopted in modern power
distribution networks [2], [19];
ii) Neutral voltages and currents arising from unbalanced

[14]

[15]

[16]

[17]

IEEE std. 519-1992. IEEE Recommended Practices and Requirements

for Harmonic Control in Electrical Power Systems, IEEE. 1993.
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Ciric, R.M., Feltrin, A.P. and Ochoa, L.F. Power Flow in Four-Wire
Distribution Networks-General Approach, IEEE Trans. Power Systems,
vol. 18, no.4, pp. 12831290, 2003.
IEEE std. 142-1991. IEEE Recommended Practice for Grounding of
Industrial and Commercial Power Systems, IEEE. 1992.
Wagner, V.E., Balda, J.C., Griffith, D.C., Mceachern, A., Barnes, T.M.,
Hartmann, D.P., Phileggi, D.J., Emannuel, A.E., Horton, W.F., Reid,
W.E., Ferraro, R.J. and Jewell, W.T. Effects of harmonics on
equipment, IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery, Vol.8, No.2, pp.672680, 1993.
Dugan, R.C. and McGranaghan, M.F. Electrical Power Systems Quality.
McGraw-Hill. 1996.
Domijan, A., Hydt, G.T., Meliopoulos, A.P.S., Venkata, S. and West, S.
Directions in Research in Electric Power Quality, IEEE Transactions on
Power Delivery, Vol.8, pp.429-436. 1993.
IEEE Working Group on Power System Harmonics, Power System
Harmonics: An Overview, IEEE Transactions on Power Apparatus and
Systems, vol. pas-102, pp.2455-2460. 1983.
IEEE Distribution System Analysis Subcommittee, Radial Test Feeders,
http://ewh.ieee.org/soc/pes/dsacom/testfeeders.html
Kersting, W.H. A Three-phase Unbalanced Line Model with Grounded
Neutrals through a Resistance, Panel Discussion on Stray Voltage
Analysis Techniques, Proceedings of 2008 IEEE PES General Meeting,
Pittsburg, PA. 2008.
Penido, D.R., Araujo, L.R., Carneiro Jr., S. and Pereira, J.L.R. Solving
the Single-circuit NEV Test Case Using the Current Injection Full-Newton
Power Flow, Proceedings of 2008 IEEE PES General Meeting,
Pittsburgh, PA. 2008
McDermott, T.E. Neutral-Earth Voltage Test Case Solutions with an
Electromagnetic Transients Program, Proceedings of 2008 IEEE PES
General Meeting, Pittsburg, PA. 2008.
Sunderman, W.G., Dugan, R.C. and Dorr, D.S. The Neutral-to-Earth
Voltage (NEV) Test Case and Distribution System Analysis in
Proceedings of 2008 IEEE PES General Meeting, Pittsburgh, PA. 2008.
Variz, A.M., Pereira, J.L.R., Carneiro Jr., S. and Barbosa, P.G. ThreePhase Harmonic Power Flow Using the Current Injection Method, IEEE
International Conference on Harmonics and Power Quality, ICHPQ
2006, Cascais, Portugal. IEEE 12th ICHQP, 2006.
Variz, A.M., Da Costa, V.M., Pereira, J.L.R. and Martins, N. Improved
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Garcia, P.A.N., Pereira, J.L.R., Carneiro Jr., S., Da Costa, V.M. and
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7
[18] Kundur, P. Power System Stability and Control (Epri Power System
Engineering Series). McGraw-Hill. 1994.
[19] Burke, J.J. Power Distribution Engineering - Fundamentals and
Applications. New York. Marcel Dekker, pp. 1617, 1994.

VI. BIOGRAPHIES
Abilio Manuel Variz (S98, M08) was born in 1975. He received the B.Sc.
and M.Sc. degrees in Electrical Engineering from Federal University of Juiz de
Fora (UFJF), Brazil, in 1998 and 2000, respectively, and the D.Sc. degree in
Electrical Engineering at Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (COPPE-UFRJ),
Brazil, in 2006; Since 2005 he is with the Electrical Engineering Department at
Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Brazil, from 2005 to 2007 he lectured
electrical machines for graduation students, and since 2007 he teaches for the
M.Sc. degree program. His research interests include Power Harmonics, Load
Flows, Power System Control and Computer Programming.
Jos Luiz Rezende Pereira (M'85, SM 05) received his B.Sc. in 1975 from
Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Brazil, the M.Sc. in 1978 from COPPE -Federal University of Rio de Janeiro and the Ph.D. in 1988 from UMIST, UK.
From 1977 to 1992 he worked at Federal University of Rio de Janeiro. Since
1993 he works at Electrical Engineering Department of Federal University of
Juiz de Fora. Dr. Pereira's research interests include Power Transmission and
Distribution Electrical Systems.
Sandoval Carneiro, Jr., (M 78, SM 93) received the degree of Electrical
Engineer from the Faculty of Electrical Engineering (FEI), of the Catholic
University of So Paulo, Brazil, in 1968; the M.Sc. degree from the Graduate
School of Engineering (COPPE) / Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ)
in 1971 and the Ph.D. degree in Electrical Engineering from University of
Nottingham, England, in 1976. From 1971 to the present date he has been a
Lecturer at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro and in 1993 was promoted
to Full Professor. From 1978 to 1979 he was Deputy-Director and from 1982 to
1985 Director of COPPE / UFRJ. From 1987 to 1988 and in 1994 he has was
Visiting Professor at the Department of Electrical Engineering of the University
of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada. From October 1991 to June 1992 he
was General Director of CAPES- Ministry of Education Agency for Academic
Improvement. From January 2002 to December 2005 he was Chairman of the
IEEE PES Distribution System Analysis Subcommittee. His research interests
comprise Simulation of Electromagnetic Transients in Power Systems and
Distribution System Analysis.
Pedro Gomes Barbosa (S94-M00) received the B.S. degree in Electrical
Engineering from Federal University of Juiz de Fora (UFJF), MG, Brazil, in
1986, the M.Sc. and the D.Sc. degrees in Electrical Engineering from COPPE Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil, in 1994 and 2000, respectively.
From 1987 to 1992 he worked as commissioning engineer at Brazilian Navy.
Since 1999, he has been teaching power electronics and electric machine and
drives at Federal University of Juiz de Fora. His main research interests are
multilevel and multipulse converters, renewable energy sources, active power
filters and static power compensators for FACTS applications.