Measurement of phase

angles of voltage and

current harmonics
Dr. Michael Schwenke, EM DG PRO D PA

© Siemens AG 2016 siemens.com

Measurement of phase angles of voltage and current harmonics

1. Harmonics: cause – impact – measurement - countermeasures

2. Related standards/measurement methods
1. IEC 61000-4-7: General guide on harmonics and interharmonics measurements and
instrumentation
2. IEC 61000-4-30: only PQ measurement methods for harmonic/interharmonic magnitudes are
defined

Harmonic subgroup and

Interharmonic centered subgroup acc.
IEC 61000-4-7/IEC 61000-4-30
3. Goal of measurement and applications
1. Prevailing phase angle, variation factor and prevailing ratio PR
2. Sign of harmonic active power
3. Improved power measurement
4. Implementation in SICAM Q100
5. Example
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 Power Quality
What to Do? - The ABC Approach

• Ensure that the obtained energy is according to a defined quality.

• Ensure that negative influences to the connected power supply network are within a certain limit.

A Measure B Evaluate C Optimize

• Continuous measurement of relevant
parameters at important points in the
power supply network:
• Point of coupling: In-feed from the utility
• Transformer feeders
• Point of coupling of specific production units/lines
• Big loads causing disturbances
• Use of standardized measurement methods
(Class A, Class S)
• Concentrate, analyze and evaluate • Definition of proper mitigation measures:
recorded parameters: • Dedicated energy supply contract with a defined
• Assigning data to the point where they are level of Power Quality
measured • Filters, redundancies etc.
• Evaluate data according to necessary limits and • Process optimization
criteria (e.g. EN 50160)
• Use of less sensitive devices and equipment
• Identification of trends, deviations and limit value
violations together with the duration and value
• Assigning evaluation results to the related points
• Identification of possible originator of the
disturbance

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Harmonics
What to Do?

• Caused by: power electronic devices, UPS, converter drives, rectifier, fluorescent lamps, power supply for IT equipment,
PV and wind power inverters
• Impact: heating of motors, cables, transformers; malfunction of breakers, relays, PLC communication, resonances

A Measure B Evaluate C Optimize

• (Active) harmonic filter

àreduce impact on neighborhood
equipment
• power factor correction
à Improve energy efficiency

U = 230 V
I = 160 mA
Total Harmonic Distortion

THD U: 2 %

THD I: 190 %
© Siemens AG 2016
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Applications of phase angle information
Goal Analysis of harmonic power flow
Measurement “relative” phase angle:
· measurement of phase angles
between harmonic voltages and
currents (same order number)
Applications · Evaluation of harmonic flows
throughout the system
· Assignment of responsibilities in
the system through the
identification of harmonic sources
and harmonic sinks
· Calculation of active, reactive and
apparent powers
© Siemens AG 2016
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Analysis of prevailing phase angles
“absolute” phase angle
· phase angle in relation to the voltage
fundamental
· Assessment of harmonic current
measurements in different points in the
system
· Assessment of summation factors of
harmonic currents from different
disturbing loads when they are
connected to the same node
· Modeling of disturbing loads and
evaluation of their disturbing effect
· Design of countermeasures for disturbing
loads
Dr. Schwenke / EM DG PRO D PA
Prevailing phase angle, variation factor and prevailing ratio

Prevailing phase angle: aggregation of phase angles over time (e.g. 10 min)

Variation factor VF

Prevailing ratio: PR = 1 - VF

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Philips ML 100: High-pressure mercury tube in series with a tungsten filament
Voltage/current of 100 pcs.

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Example
voltage/current characteristics and harmonics

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Harmonic measurement:
Magnitude, phase angle, Prevailing phase angle, Prevailing angle ratio

Voltage phase A Current phase A

© Siemens AG 2016
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Example
voltage/current charcteristics

Harmonic direction detection: sign of harmonic active power

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Improved power calculation

Reactive power for 1 M -1

phase p, quadrature Qp = Qpquad = × å (vpk - N / 4 ´ ipk )
phase shift formula M k=0

Reactive power for hmax

phase p, Budeanu’s Qp = Qpharm = åI i, p × Vi, p × sin(j i, p )
harmonic definition i=1

© Siemens AG 2016
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Contact page

Dr. Michael Schwenke

Senior Key Expert Power Quality
EM DG PRO D PA
Wernerwerkdamm 5
13629 Berlin
Phone: +49 30 38620136
Mobile: +49 162 1325063
E-mail:
michael.schwenke@siemens.com

siemens.com

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