HARMONIC COMPENSATION OF
COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL POWER SYSTEMS
S.J. Dodroe, Student Member D.T. Radmer, Student Member
J. Chen, Student Member J.S. Foertsch
Department of Electrical Engineering
Gonzaga University
Spokane, WA 99258
Abstmcf;The harmonic currents drawn by many types of
nonlinear loads have been described in the literature.
However, there is still a need for a method for predicting
the effects of combinations of three-phase and single-phase
nonlinear loads. This paper presents a general method for
estimating the root-mean-square (rms) values of electric
currents and total harmonic distortion (THD) due to any
number of selected types of nonlinear loads on three-phase
four-wire and single-phase threewire distribution systems.
Data was gathered from experimentationand was used to
validate the proposed method. Results of simulations of
various harmonic reduction and compensation techniques
are also presented.
Key words: Harmonics,, overloaded neutral conductors,
harmonic reduction, harmonic compensation, power quality.
I. INTRODUCTION
Nonsinusoidal currents drawn by nonlinear loads were
recognized early in the analysis of electrical devices [l]. At
that time, the effects of nonlinear loads were seldom regarded
as a serious problem because of their relatively minor impact
on power distribution systems. However, present-day
nonlinear loads represent an ever-increasing and substantial
portion of all electrical loads and have come under
investigation [2-141.
The nonsinusoidal currents drawn by nonlinear devices have
been found to contribute to the overloading of neutral conduc-
tors, and it has been suggested that harmonic currents be
accounted for in conductor sizing [2]. Harmonic currents have
also been found to reduce the service life of transformers.
0-7803-1883-8$04.00019941EEE
97
R. Montgomery, Student Member
Transformers that compensate for the effects of nonlinear
loads are now available [3].
The number and variety of nonlinear loads are different for
virtually every electrical installation. Hence, reduction and
compensation techniques for harmonic currents are specified
on a case-by-case basis. A method for predicting harmonic
currents would be helpful in retrofitting existing electrical
distribution systems, or designing new ones.
A general method for estimating the rms values and THD
of electric currents in three-phase four-wire and single-phase
three-wire distribution systems is presented in this paper.
The proposed method was validated by actual experiments
performed at the computer facility of the School of
Engineering at Gonzaga University. The method was used to
simulate various harmonic reduction techniques, and
numerical results are presented.
11. SOLUTION METHODOLOGY
The currents drawn by a nonlinear device may be
characterized by a fundamental and harmonic components in
the frequency domain. The frequency spectra of the currents
drawn by some nonlinear devices are available from the
literature. The magnitude of a harmonic component is
usually expressed in per unit of the magnitude of the
fundamental component. The phase angle of the harmonic
component is referred to that of the supply voltage.
Each harmonic component of the current is represented by
an ideal current source with a specified magnitude and phase
angle 141. All of these current sources are connected in
parallel as shown in Fig. 1, and they can be combined into
an equivalent current source.
+-
I I I
I
Fig. 1. Load represented as parallel current sources.
 0 a
1-9
Load
1 4
Load
c
C r r I
,~ 3-9 Load
Fig. 2. Three-phase four-wire distribution system.
A three-phase four-wire distribution system is shown in Fig.
2. Any single-phase load is assumed to be connected between
a phase conductor and the neutral.
When two or more single-phase nonlinear loads are
c o ~ t ~ t to
e dphase a, the corresponding harmonic components
of the current from each load may be added vectorially as
follows:
i=l
where Z,,,i is the nns value of the h* harmonic component from
load i , and N, represents all devices connected to phase a.
When nonlinear loads are connected to phase b, or phase c,
the corresponding harmonic components of the current from
each load may be added vectorially by using (2) or (3),
respectively [5]:
IcA = IkJI e,, + 120"h
I=1
Nb and N, represent all devices connected to phases b and c,
respectively. Equations (1)-(3) may be used to calculate all
harmonic components, h, of interest. The harmonic component
of the neutral current is found by adding the corresponding
harmonic components in the three phases as follows:
Two single-phase loads are shown in the single-phase three-
wire distribution system of Fig. 3. For a load Connected to
phase b, the harmonic components of the current are shifted
180" with respect to the components of the current, had the
load been connected to phase a. The corresponding harmonic
components for phases a and b are added vectorially to find
the harmonic component of the neutral current as follows:
4.h = Iah + SJI
This is repeated for all values, h, of interest.
I
n
1-*
Lood
Fig. 3. Single-phase three-wire distribution system
Having found all the harmonic components, the current
waveform is derived from the frequency data as follows:
n
where Zh is the rms value and 8, is the phase angle of the h"
harmonic component. Equation (6) may be used to fmd the
waveforms of the phase currents, as well as the neutral
current. The rms value and the THD of the current are
calculated as follows:
I,, =
k=l (7)
where Z, is the rms value of the fundamental component.
Equations (7) and (8) may be used to estimate the rms value
and the THD of the phase currents and the neutral current.
(3)
Harmonic reduction and compensation techniques may be
employed when the rms currents or THD are considered
high. These techniques may be implemented by multiplying
the transfer function of the technique by the Fourier spectral
density of the current for each phase. The result may be
expressed as a Fourier series, and (7) and (8) are solved to
obtain the desired outputs.
A measure of the distortion of the current seen by a
distribution transformer is given by the k-factor [3]. This
(4)
parameter is used in the design and manufacture of
transformers. The k-factor is calculated as follows:
H
k-factor = h2 (9)
h=l
where I,, is expressed in per unit with respect to the total
true-rms current. The values of k-factors range from 1 to
50. A k-factor of 1 represents a purely sinusoidal load
current. Typical k-factors for harmonically compensated
transformers are 4, 9, 13, 20, and 30.
98
 111. DATA ACQUISITION
Experiments were performed to collect data that was used to
validate the proposed method. A DmetzRModel 658 Power
Quality Analyzer was used to measure currents for fluorescent
light fixtures, and several types of personal computers and
pMters. Measurements were taken at the locations shown in
Fig. 4.
The lighting load consisted of fifteen fluorescent light
fixtures, each with a two-lamp ballast and a one-lamp ballast.
Twelve of the two-lamp ballasts were connected to phase a.
Phase b supplied twelve of the one-lamp ballasts, and phase c
supplied the three remaining fixtures.
The computer laboratory equipment is comprised of four
types of computers and four types of printers. Nine computers
of various types and two printers are on phase a. Phase b
serves six computers and thee printers, and there are seven
computers and three printers on phase c.
The DranetzR analyzer measures currents and voltages, and
stores the data which can be later retrieved as either time-
domain waveforms or frequencydomain spectra. Frequency-
domain data consists of the magnitudes of harmonic
components as a percentage of the fundamental, and their
phase angles referred to the: supply voltage.
All the loads were turned on for some time to allow them to
reach steady state prior to the measurements. Phase and
neutral currents were measured and recorded by the DranetzR
analyzer with all the loads connected, and this procedure was
repeated as a device or group of devices was switched off.
The nns values of the currents for the various combinations of
loads were also measured using a Fluke' Model 87-A true-rms
ammeter. Seventeen different experiments were conducted
with various numbers and types of single-phase devices on the
system.
IV. ALGORITHM AND PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT
A spreadsheet program was developed using Microsoft
ExcelR. To facilitate program use, characteristic data for
various nonlinear devices was stored in a library. The data
consists of harmonic rms magnitudes and phase angles for the
currents drawn by each device. The devices in the library
include computers, printtas, and discharge lighting. The
characteristic data for each device was acquired from the
experiments and from the literature.
The program is set up in an ExcelR notebook format. Data
may be retrieved from the library, or additional data may be
entered into the library for newly characterized devices. Both
three-phase and single-phase distribution systems with any
number and type of single-phase devices may be simulated.
Combinations of three-phase and single-phase loads may also
be simulated on the three-phase system.
When multiple devices of the same type are modelled on a
distribution system, the characteristic data is assumed to be the
99
DRANETZ
@
120/208V Feeder
Single-phase
computer and
printer loads
Single-phase
lighting loads
a b c n
Fig. 4. Location of current measurements.
same for each device. Randomness of magnitudes and phase
angles of harmonic components are neglected. Harmonic
components above the twentieth are considered to be
negligible, and are not entered into the device library.
For simplicity, the source voltage is assumed to be sinu-
soidal, and all devices are assumed to have been supplied by
a source of the same voltage and intemal impedance.
The program calculates the harmonic components of the
currents in the phase and neutral conductors by using (1)-(5).
The current waveform is found by using (6). Equations (7)
and (8) are used to compute the rms values of the current for
all phases and the neutral, and the percent THD for the
phase conductors, and (9) is used to compute the k-factors.
To determine the validity of the proposed method, various
loading conditions were simulated and the results were
compared with those gathered from the experiments. Figure
5 shows the waveforms of the computed and actual currents
flowing in the feeder neutral with all the loads connected in
the test system of Fig. 4. Experimental and computed
currents for the three-phase test system were shown to be in
close agreement. The phase and neutral currents predicted by
the proposed method exhibited a mean percent difference of
4.52 and a standard deviation of 3.91 when compared with
experimental data. The predicted currents were found to be
on the high side compared to those measured in the experi-
ment. This is due to cancellations of harmonics arising from
randomness of the phase angles and magnitudes of some
components. Cancellations were observed for all even har-
monics, and odd-order harmonics greater than the thirteenth.
The program may be used to simulate a variety of
harmonic compensation and reduction techniques. Some
assumptions are made in simulating them. The input
impedance of the active filter is taken to be equal to its
output impedance. The delta-wye transformer is considered
ideal. When simulating the reduction techniques, the
distribution system is considered to be isolated from that of
the utility.
 harmonics may also provide a current path for the same
40 harmonics to the utility's power grid [7]. To remedy this,
I rms (measured) = 16.76A
30 I rms (simulated) = 17.82A series line reactors can be used to increase the impedance
20 between the filter and the power supply.
h
The rectification process performed by three-phase
a 10
Y variable-speed controllers for motors results in harmonic-
l o laden line currents. Tuned filters with series line reactors
-10 may be used to attenuate higher-order harmonic currents.
U
-20 Resonance is also a potential problem that must be
-30
considered. Shunt capacitors used for power-factor
correction are potential sources of resonance due to
-40 harmonic currents, and capacitors should be sized carefully
0.00 2.08 4.17 6.26 8.33 10.42 12.50 14.68 16.67 to avoid this problem [4].
Time(ms) Electrical distribution systems which contain large
fluorescent lighting loads may be supplied by transformers
Fig. 5. Comparison between computed and measured values with secondary and tertiary windings which are both wye
of neutral current. connected. The transformers are connected in antiphase, as
shown in Fig. 6., with a shared neutral, and with loads
The program has been designed to be interactive. The user divided equally between the secondary and tertiary windings.
can simulate various combinations of loads from the input The neutral current of the loads being supplied by the
page, and can later return to simulate reduction techniques. secondary are 180" out of phase with the neutral currents of
Any part or all of the results may be printed, and used to the loads supplied by the tertiary. Thus, cancellation of
compare the effectiveness of various harmonic reduction neutral currents occurs at the common neutral bus.
techniques. Simulations were made to show the effects of some of
these harmonic reduction and compensation techniques by
V. COMPENSATION AND REDUCTION TECHNIQUES using the computer program described in Section IV. Models
of filters and a transformer were created within the program.
Common methods employed to compensate for harmonic These include a third-order Butterworth and a second-onler
Currents include increased size of neutral conductors, and the active low-pass filters; a tuned, shunt LC filter; and a delta-
use of k-factor, derated, and delta-wye transformers. wye transformer. The reduction techniques were simulated
There are many methods to reduce the harmonic content of on the test system shown in Fig. 4. The numerical results of
nonsinusoidal currents. Active and passive filters may be these simulations are presented in Table I.
implemented to attenuate selected harmonics. A technique to The results show varying degrees of reduction of the
cancel harmonic currents in neutral conductors employs percent THD and rms values for the neutral and phase
tertiary-winding transformers connected in antiphase [6].The currents. For the delta-wye transformer, the turns ratio is
replacement of devices to those with lower THD values is as one-to-one, and the primary line currents are shown in the
well a valid reduction technique. table. All the reduction methods lowered both percent THD
K-factor transformers both reduce and compensate for the and rms values of the current. The low-pass filters provided
heating due to harmonic currents. Methods by which this is comparable harmonic reduction. They reduced the neutral
done include constructing windings that are built as parallel current to between 39 and 57 percent of the base case.

E
conductors rather than a single conductor to lower skin-effect
losses, and increasing core size to lower flux density and core
Secondory
saturation levels. Using derated (or oversized) transformers
will lower flux density and winding resistance. Core saturation

r*
may be eliminated, but possibly at the expense of higher load I, 1 b2
c2
currents [3]. Delta-wye transformers are often mistakenly
viewed as triplen harmonic traps. This will only be the case if O 1 q m

a particular triplen harmonic carried by each phase conductor c1

Primary
is equal in magnitude and in phase. Otherwise, the imbalance
of each respective triplen harmonic will be carried by the line
Tertiary
conductors.
Low-pass and tuned filters that are used to shunt harmonic c3

currents must be implemented with caution. Tuned filters that Fig. 6. Tertiary-winding transformer connected in antiphase.
are used as low-impedance paths to ground for specific

100
 TABLE I
Numerical Results of Harmonic Reduction Simulations
Legend: 0 = Base Case, no reduction method
1 = 3"-order passive filter
2 = P-order active filter
3 = Tuned LC filter
4 = Delta-Wye transformer
VI. CONCLUSIONS
A general method for estimating the rms values and THD of
electric currents in three-phase and single-phase distribution
systems has been described in this paper. It may be used to
predict values of currents in branch circuits or feeders to
determine whether excessive harmonic currents are present at
any point in the system. ' n e proposed method will show
whether any circuits are lightly loaded and able to safely
supply more loads. It provides an alternative to a
comprehensive and expensive testing and characterization of
an electrical distribution system.
The proposed method has accurately predicted the rms
values of the phase and neutral currents, which exhibited a
mean percent difference of less than 5 R when compared to the
experimental values of the three-phase system. Numerically
derived and experimental values of rms currents were within
ten percent difference for add harmonics for the single-phase
system. The even harmonics from the experimental data were
deemed negligible in magnitude and were simply rejected for
the single-phase system.
Filters and delta-wye transformers are effective in improving
power quality, as shown. by the computer simulations.
However, it is recommended that the implementation of these
techniques be preceded by a detailed analysis of the electrical
system.
Finally, several techniques are available for improving
power quality, but the resulting benefits should be weighed
against cost of implementation, possible decrease in overall
system efficiency, and other potential drawbacks.
VII. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The authors extend their thanks and appreciation to their
faculty advisor, Dr. Juan L. Bala, Jr. His guidance and
101
insights proved invaluable, and his ability to keep the team
focused was remarkable. The generosity of Washington
Water Power in allowing the use of the Dranetz' Power
Quality Analyzer is greatly appreciated. A special thanks is
given to Mr. Greg Smith, Power Quality Engineer at
Washington Water Power, for his assistance and instructions
on the use of the DranetzP analyzer.
VIII. REFERENCES
A.F. Puchstein, T.C. Lloyd, and A.G. Conrad,
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& Sons; London:Chapman and Hall, Ltd, 1954, pp.
113-116, 305.
A. Freund, "Double the Neutral and Derate the
Transformer-or Else!, " Electrical Construction and
Maintenance, December, 1988, pp. 81-85.
R.D. Arthur, "Testing Reveals Surprising k-Factor
Diversity, "Electrical Construcdion and Maintenance,
April, 1993, pp. 51-55.
IEEE Standard 519-1992, "IEEE Recommended
Practices and Requirements for Harmonic Control in
Electrical Power Systems. 'I
G.T. Heydt, W.M. Grady, and D. Xia, Harmonic
Power Flow Studies, Vol. 1: Theoretical Bmis,
Prepared by Purdue University for Electric Power
Research Institute, Research Project 1764-7, Final
Report, November 1983, pp. 125-130.
A. Liew, "Excessive Neutral Currents in Three Phase
Fluorescent Lighting Circuits, " ZEEE Transactions on
Industry Applications, vol. 25, no. 4, JulyIAugust,
1989, pp. 776-782.
M.Z. Lowenstein, "Improving Power Factor in the
Presence of Harmonics Using Low-Voltage Tuned
Filters, " IEEE Transactions on Industry Applications,
vol. 29, no. 3, MayIJune, 1993, pp. 528-535.
G.T. Heydt, Electric Power Quality, West LaFayette:
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N. Mohan, T.M. Undeland, and W.P. Robbins, Power
Electronics: Converters, Applications, and Design,
New York: John Wiley & Sons, 1989.
T.M. Gruzs, "A Survey of Neutral Currents in Three-
Phase Computer Power Systems, " IEEE Transactions
on Industry Applications, vol. 26, no. 4, July/August,
1990, pp. 719-725.
H.O. Aintablian and H.W. Hill, Jr., "Effects of
Personal Computer Harmonics on the Distribution
transformer," in Proceedings of the I992 24th Annual
Meeting of the IEEE North American Power
Symposium, pp. 196-204
L.J, Bohmann and C.T. Plante, "A Harmonic Survey
of Switched-Mode Power Supply Loads and Their
Potential Problems in Commercial Buildings, "
 Proceedings of the 1992 24th Annual Meeting of the
B E E North American Power Symposium, pp. 180-188.
[13] National Electrical Code, NFPA 70-1993. National Fire
Protection Association, Quincy, MA.
[14] R.C. Lentz, F.J. Mercede, and J.N. Mercede, Jr., "A
Student Design Project to Improve Power Quality for a
Commercial Facility," Paper 94 W M 237-8 PWRS,
Presented at IEEEIPES Winter Meeting 1994, New
York, New York, January 30 - February 3, 1994.
BIOGRAPHIES
Steven J. Dodroe was born on May 29, 1959 in Portland,
Oregon. He received his BSChE from the University of Idaho
in 1984. He has been an electrician for eight years. He is
currently a graduate student in electrical engineering at
Gonzaga University, and teaches the Electrical Power
Engineering Laboratory. His interests include electrical power
engineering, power system analysis and design, transmission
and distribution systems, and optimization techniques.
Duane T. Radmer was bom on September 27, 1971 in Las
Vegas, Nevada. He is studying for his BSEE at Gonzaga
University. His interests include power systems engineering
102
and power electronics. He intends to pursue graduate studies
leading to a doctoral degree in electrical engineering with
specialization in power engineering.
Robert Montgomery was born on February 15, 1961 in
Washington, D.C. He served eight years in the United States
Air Force as an Autopilot and Instrument Systems
Technician. He is pursuing his BSEE at Gonzaga University.
His interests include power distribution, power system
analysis, and controls.
Jimmv Chen was born on September 17, 1968 in Taipei,
Taiwan. He worked at Logue McDonald Automation,
Spokane, Wa, as an assistant design engineer. He is studying
for his BSEE at Gonzaga University. His interests include
power engineering, control systems, and distribution and
transmission systems.
John S. Foertsch was born on September 3, 1972 in Fargo,
North Dakota. He is currently pursuing his BSEE at
Gonzaga University, and his interests include computer
engineering and control system design. He currently works
for System Technology, Spokane, WA, performing
computer-aided control systems design.