Power Systems

Section 3 – Harmonics
 What Causes Harmonics?
• Any device that is non-linear, i.e. does not obey
Ohms’ Law
• Applied sinusoidal voltage produces a repetitive, but
non-sinusoidal current
• Current contains harmonic components, according to
Fourier Series equation
• Harmonic current components cause harmonic
voltage drops in system and appear at customer’s
terminals
 Fourier Series Definition
2
1
an  .  f (t ). cos nt.d (t )
 0

2
1
bn  .  f (t ). sin nt.d (t )
 0


1
f (t )  a0   (an cos nt  bn sin nt )
2 n 1
 Harmonics-producing Devices
• Any device that chops current, limits
current or displays saturation, eg -
• Rectifier Circuits
• Switched-mode Power Supplies
• Magnetic circuits
Non-linear devices cause harmonics. Classic case is the magnetization current
in transformers. It is not sinusoidal due to the nonlinear B-H loop. The
resulting current is peaky. Fourier analysis reveals it to contain odd harmonics,
especially thirds. These third harmonics all add up (in phase) in delta
connected windings which act as a “sink” for third harmonics.
 Rectifier Loads
Typical rectifier loads on the power system
include –
• Electroplating
• Metal refining
• DC railway supplies
• Aluminium smelters
Example: 3-ph Rectifier Circuit
Rectifier Circuit … 2
Rectifier Circuit … 3
 The Harm in Harmonics
• Heating losses (harmonic I2R)
• Audio noise (higher orders)
• EM Emission (higher orders) (circuits act like
antennas)
• Rotating machines (2nd, 3rd) (Produce heat in
machine windings, but no useful forward
torque)
• Interference with rectifier devices
 Harmonic Power
• Average power over one cycle is zero if voltage
and current waveforms are of different
frequencies, according to definition of average
power
• Result is that harmonics in current produce no
useful power, but cause I2 R losses in lines,
transformers, etc
 Harmonic Power .. (2)
2
1
Pav  .  V cos t.I cos nt.d (t )
2 0
Pav  0, n  1

cos t. cos nt  cos(n  1)t  cos(n  1)t 

1
2
 RMS and THD
T
1
Vrms   (t ).dt
2
v
T 0

2
Vrms  V 1, rms V 2
2 , rms  ...  V 2
n , rms


1
THD 
V1, rms
 n ,rms
V
2
2


1
THD 
V1, rms
 rms 1,rms
V
2
2
 V 2
 Analysis of Harmonic Circuit
• Load source of harmonics acts as a current
generator at frequency nfo, where fo is
fundamental.
• Calculate harmonic voltage distortion by
replacing 50 hz sources and impedances by
their harmonic impedances
Example: Harmonic Analysis

Vn

I1, I2, …, In
Zs Zs,n
In
 Harmonic Impedances
• Resistance: Rn  R1 at low frequencies.
R1 < Rn < nR1 at higher frequencies

• Reactance: Xn  nX1

• Capacitance: Yn  nY1