HARMONICS FILTERING

Harmonic filter design

Summary
1- Generalities
2- Application domain
3- Necessary technical informations
4- Filter selection
5- Harena 2 simulation software
6- Reminder of rules recommended by Rectiphase
7- Recommended levels of performances
8- Sizing criteria
9- Example
10- Further information

1- Generalities
As part of the Harena 2 project, a simplified process has been developped for the design of an
harmonic filter.
This process can be considered for study cases meeting some conditions.
It is possible to propose rapidly a solution, with the only reading of the characteristics of the
installation.
No on-site measurement is necessary.
The Harena 2 simulation software is used during this process in order to validate the design.

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2- Application domain
2-1 Customers motivation:
The simplified process can be undertaken if the customers request is motivated by:
a preventive action, before connection of harmonic generating equipments, likely to disturb the
installation
the compliance of the installation with standards or recommandations
If the customers request is the consequence of a misoperation, prior on-site measurements are
recommended.
2-2 Installation characteristics:
In order to be able to use the tools of the simplified process, the installation must meet some criteria:
standard values of supply voltages (208, 240, 400V, ...)
simple configuration
harmonic currents and kvar within given limits
typical non-linear loads
The studied installation can be represented the following way:
- a 3-phase balanced power source, supplying balanced loads, all being represented by a single
phase equivalent circuit
- a coupling point to the distribution network, defined by its short-circuit power
- a MV/LV transformer
- a linear load generating no harmonic currents
- an harmonic current generator
On this basic circuit, the designer can study the effect of power factor correction and filtering devices:
- capacitor bank
- detuned bank
- passive filters of order 5, 7 or 11
- active compensator
These devices can be selected separately or by combination. So it is possible to analyse the effect of
any type of filter: passive, active or hybrid.
See on the following figure: single phase equivalent circuit.

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Pre-calculated passive filters

Pre-calculated passive filters have been developped by Rectiphase for 400V/50Hz networks.
A data base including the characteristics of these filters has been integrated into the validation software.
Other pre-calculated filters have been developped by Schneider - Canada for standard supplies:
208V/60Hz, 240V/60Hz, 380V/50Hz, 480V/60Hz, 600V/60Hz. The datas concerning these filters are also
integrated.
2-3 Expected level of performances
The simplified process does not guarantee a level of performances if on-site measurements have not
been made. It gives the improvement obtained with the proposed equipment, based on the estimated
characteristics of the installation.
2-4 Harmonic orders
The only orders of harmonics to be considered are: 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17, 19, 23, 25.

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3- Necessary technical informations

Some technical characteristics of the installation are needed in order to make the harmonic analysis. For
example, the generated harmonic currents must be known.
These datas can be obtained:
directly by on-site measurement performed by the customer
by estimations
3-1 Essential technical datas
Essential datas which must be given by the customer are the following:
- Supply frequency
- Medium Voltage nominal value
- Low Voltage nominal value
- Apparent power of the MV/LV transformer
- Short-circuit voltage of the MV/LV transformer
- Active or apparent power of the linear load
- Requested reactive power
- Generated harmonic currents: on-site measurement or knowledge of the type and power of the nonlinear loads
3-2 Estimation of non-measured datas
If no precise datas are available, the other characteristics of the installation can be estimated (use of
typical values):
- Short circuit power of the supply network:
equal to 100 times the apparent power of the transformer
- Reference current:
use the subscribed current in LV, or calculate the transformer nominal current
- Pre-existing harmonic voltages:
Vh5:
2%
Vh7:
1,5%
Vh11: 1%
- Harmonic currents: by the type and power of the non-linear loads
(See in annex the waveshape and spectrum for typical loads)

4- Filter selection
Depending on the installation characteristics and the objective of performances, the designer selects a
type of filter distinguished by:
the order of the harmonic to be eliminated
the requested reactive power
the amplitude of the harmonic currents to be eliminated
4-1 Order of the harmonic to be eliminated
The selection of the number of harmonic orders to be filtered depends on the performances in view:
the higher is the number of filtered harmonics, the better are the performances
active or hybrid configurations are able to reduce all the harmonic orders from 3 to 25
4-2 Requested reactive power
The reactive power of filters is generally limited to 20% of the transformer apparent power.

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The additional reactive power if necessary must be supplied by detuned banks.

When a combination of passive filters is used, the distribution of the kvar is carried out on the following
way:
Combination
5
5-7
5-7-11

5th
1
0,7
0,6

7th

11th

0,3
0,2

0,2

4-3 Amplitude of the harmonic currents to be eliminated

- Passive filters: the selection of pre-calculated modules must be made first depending on the requested
reactive power, then depending on the harmonic current to be eliminated on its tuning frequency
- Active compensator: depending on the current rating, partial or total elimination of the harmonic
currents is possible
5- Harena 2 simulation software
The Harena 2 software is used to validate the design of a filter. An iterative process must be used to
check that the right level of performances is reached and that the power rating of the components is
correct.
The harmonic analysis is made on orders 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17, 19, 23, 25 exclusively.
The instructions for use of the software can be found in the document manual.doc
6- Reminder of rules recommended by Rectiphase
Considering the power factor correction when harmonic generators are present, Rectiphase is
recommending the installation of harmonic filters in the following condtions:
Scc:
Sn:
Gh:

short-circuit at the point of coupling

nominal power of the supply transformer
power of the harmonic generators

- if Sn > 2MVA and

Gh>Scc/30

- if Sn < 2 MVA and Gh > 0.6 x Sn

Example:
Sn = 1MVA
Gh = 700kVA
Gh > 0.6 x Sn

=> installation of harmonic filter is recommended

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7- Recommended levels of performances

Objective:
The objective of these recommandations is to provide simple rules in order to determine if harmonic
mitigation is necessary.
Application field:
These rules apply to:
- the design of new installations or the connection of new harmonic generators (preventive action)
- the analysis of existing installations (curative action)
Current limits:
In case of a preventive action, the proposed rules consist in respecting current emission limits.
After connection of the harmonic generators, the installations must comply with the limits
recommended by EDF (Emeraude contract).
These recommendations consider the harmonic currents as a function of the subscribed power. The
applicable limits do not depend on the characteristics of the network at the point of connection.
The limits are established as a function of the subscribed power and the corresponding current ISC:
Order
3
5&7
11 & 13
>13

Ih/ Isc (%)

4
5
3
2

These limits must be compared to the simulation results obtained with no pre-existing harmonic voltages.
Only the harmonic currents generated by the installation itself are considered.
Voltage limits:
If a curative action is undertaken, the proposed rules consist in respecting voltage distortion limits.
The measured or calculated distortion must never exceed the levels given in IEC 61000-2-2.
Order h
3
5
7
11
13
17
19
23
25

Uh %
5
6
5
3,5
3
2
1,5
1,5
1,2

Total Harmonic Distortion: < 8%

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As a precaution, the rule adopted by Rectiphase is to ensure lower distortion levels:

Order h
3
5
7
11
13
17
19
23
25

Uh %
3
4
3
2,5
2
1,5
1
1
1

Total Harmonic Distortion: < 5%

These limits must be compared to the simulation results obtained with pre-existing harmonic voltages.
The global harmonic distortion is thus considered.

8- Sizing criteria
Objective:
The objective of these criteria is to provide simple rules in order to determine whether the components of
power factor correction and filtering are not subject to unacceptable stress.
Limits:

For capacitor and detuned banks, the relevant parameter is:

Imax / I1, ratio: max. permanent current / fundamental current

The maximum permissible values are:

Type of component
standard capacitor
oversized capacitor
detuned bank:
tuning factor: 2,7
tuning factor: 3,8
tuning factor: 4,3

Imax/I1
1,3
1,45
1,1
1,2
1,3

For pre-determined filters, the maximum values for the harmonic current and the total rms
current are given explicitely by the Harena 2 software.
In case the maximum permissible values are exceeded, a particular study is necessary.

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9- Example
Transformer:
nominal power:
short-circuit voltage:

Sn = 1MVA
Ucc = 6%

Subscribed power:
Subscribed current:

Psc = 1MVA
Isc = 1440A

Total power of harmonic generators:

Gh = 700 kVA
Harmonic currents (Igh): typical spectrum (see table)
Initial harmonic distortion:
Order
5
7
11
13
17
19
23
25
THD (%)

Igh (%)
30
16
9
6
4
2,5
1,5
1
36

Ih (%)
21
11
6
4
3
2
1
1
25

Vh (%)
7
5
4,5
3,5
3
2
1,5
1
11

Considering a new installation, the harmonic currents are exceeding the limits recommended by EDF.
The connection of all the harmonic generators is not possible, unless mitigation measures are
undertaken.
Considering an existing installation, the measurement or the calculation of the voltage distortion show
that the compatibility levels are exceeded, and that there is a significant risk of misoperation. Harmonic
mitigation is necessary.
Possible solution:
Hybrid filter including a passive filter, rfrence A07 (163kvar, 368A) and a 90A active compensator.
Results:
Order
5
7
11
13
17
19
23
25
THD (%)

Ih (%)
3,7
4,2
2,6
1,8
1,2
0,7
0,4
0,3
6

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Vh (%)
1,4
2,4
2,2
1,5
1,4
1
0,7
0,5
4,3

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Individual harmonic voltages in LV

8
6
Vh (%)

4
2
0

Vh 3

Vh 5

Vh 7

Vh 11 Vh 13 Vh 17 Vh 19 Vh 23 Vh 25

1st column = without filter

2nd column = with filter

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10- Further information

10-1 Selection guide for an harmonic filter
The following table gives the main characteristics and limitations of the different structures of harmonic
filters:
Solution

Main chracteristics

Limitations

Passive filter

- power factor correction

- filtering of 1 or 2 harmonic orders
- network filter
- for high power installation (>250kVA)

- risk of overload by external pollution

- no total emimination of the harmonic
currents
- risk of overcompensation at light load

Active
compensator

- elimination of several harmonic orders

- network or machine filter

- high price by Amp.

- power factor correction possible but
expensive

Hybrid filter
(passive filter +
active
compensator)

- power factor correction

- elimination of several harmonic orders
- for high power installation (>250kVA)
- network filter
- performances / cost compromise
solution

- risk of overload of the passive part by

external pollution
- no total emimination of the harmonic
currents
- risk of overcompensation at light load

Hybrid filter
(detuned bank +
active
compensator)

- power factor correction

- elimination of several harmonic orders
- for medium power installation
(<250kVA)
- network filter

- no total emimination of the harmonic

currents
- risk of overcompensation at light load

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10-2 Additonal tools

The Harena 2 software is a simple and fast tool for validation of an harmonic filter solution in basic
configurations. Most of the applications may be covered.
Some functions have not been included in order to keep it user-friendly.
The following table gives a list of other useful functions in harmonic analysis, as well as the name of
different softwares including these functions and used by the Schneider teams.
Function
Unbalanced systems
Vector analysis
Tree complex circuits

Meshed complex circuits

Impedance curve drawing

Probabilistic analysis
Tarification signals at
175/188Hz
Fundamental frequency
analysis
Time representation
Calculation of all harmonic
orders
Other models of filters
Parameter scanning

Software
Superharm
Harmonie
Selena
Harmonique 5.1
Harmonics
Harmonie
Superharm
Selena
Harmonique 5.1
Harmonique 5.1
Harmonics
Harmonie
Superharm
Harmonie
Harmonique 5.1

Origin
Electrotek
Rectiphase
SER =S=
EDF
CEAT
Rectiphase
Electrotek
SER =S=
EDF
EDF
CEAT
Rectiphase
Electrotek
Rectiphase
EDF

Superharm
Harmonie
Superharm
Harmonics
Harmonique 5.1
Harmonics
Harmonie
Superharm
Harmonique 5.1
Harmonie
Superharm
Harmonie

Electrotek
Rectiphase
Electrotek
CEAT
EDF
CEAT
Rectiphase
Electrotek
EDF
Rectiphase
Electrotek
Rectiphase

Recommanded software
In addition to the Harena 2 software, the Harmonique 5.1 (EDF) software is recommanded.
Indeed, most of the applications not treated by Harena 2 can be treated by Harmonique 5.1.
French and English versions exist and EDF is responsible for the evolutions and maintenance.
The Selena software (Schneider ELEctrical Network Analysis) now under development is designed to be
the common and universal tool for network analysis inside Schneider.

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Annex
Spectrum of typical loads
Rectangular current (theoretical)
Waveshape and spectrum of harmonic currents:

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Thyristor rectifier (UPS, DC drive)

Typical waveshape and harmonic current spectrum:

Diode rectifier (AC drive)

Typical waveshape and harmonic current spectrum:

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Harmonic content in % of the fundamental:

Order
5
7
11
13
17
19
23
25
THD (%)

Rectangular
wave
20
14
9
7,7
5,9
5,3
4,3
4
30

DC drive
UPS
25
6
8
4
5
3
3
2
28

AC drive
40
15
7
4
3
2
2
1
44

Average
spectrum
30
16
9
6
4
2,5
1,5
1
36

Calculation example
- Type of non-linear load:

DC drive

- Supply voltage U:

400V

- Apparent power S:

300kVA

=> Results:
rms current:

I rms =

Fundamental current:

S
3U

I1 =

300.10 3

3.400

= 433A

I rms
1 + THD

Order
1
5
7
11
13
17
19
23
25

433
1 + (0,28) 2

%
100
25
6
8
4
5
3
3
2

Harmonic 96697618.doc

= 416 A

A
416
104
25
33
17
21
12
12
8

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