Technical

Harmonics / K-factor Ratings Selection

Non-Linear Loads
Voltage of Current Waveform for Linear Loads (Sine Wave)
When a sinusoidal voltage is applied to a
linear load, the resultant current
waveform takes on the shape of a sine
wave as well. Typical linear loads are
resistive heating and induction motors.
In contrast, a non-linear load either:
▪ Draws current during only part of the
cycle and acts as an open circuit for
the balance of the cycle,
or
▪ Changes the impedance during the
cycle, hence the resultant waveform is
distorted and no longer conforms to a Typical Current Waveform of Switching Power Supply
pure sine wave shape
In recent years, the use of electronic
equipment has mushroomed in both
offices and industrial plants. These
electronic devices are powered by
switching power supplies or some type
of rectifier circuit. Examples of these
devices used in offices are: computers,
fax machines, copiers, printers, cash
registers, UPS systems, and solid-state
ballasts. In industrial plants, one will find
other electronic devices such as variable
speed drives, HID lighting, solid-state A Non-Linear Current and Its Fundamental, Plus 3rd and 5th Harmonic Components
starters and solid-state instruments. They
all contribute to the distortion of the
current waveform and the generation of
harmonics. As the use of electronic
equipment increases and it makes up a
larger portion of the electrical load, many
concerns are raised about its impact on
the electrical power supply system.

Harmonics
As defined by ANSI / IEEE Std. 519-1992,
harmonic components are represented
by a periodic wave or quantity having a
frequency that is an integral multiple of
the fundamental frequency. Harmonics

18
are voltages or currents at frequencies
that are integer multiples of the

fundamental (60 Hz) frequency: 120 Hz,
180 Hz, 240 Hz, 300 Hz, etc. Harmonics
are designated by their harmonic number,
or multiple of the fundamental frequency.
Thus, a harmonic with a frequency of 180
Hz (three times the 60 Hz fundamental
frequency) is called the 3rd harmonic.
Harmonics superimpose themselves on
the fundamental waveform, distorting it
Figure 30 — Effect of Harmonics on Current Waveform
generated by the non-linear load. Total
Harmonic Distortion (THD) is calculated
as the square root of the sum of the
squares of all harmonics divided by the
normal 60 Hz value.
TECHNICAL
Therefore, it is the percentage amount of
odd harmonics (3rd, 5th, 7th ,..., 25th,...)
present in the load which can affect the
transformer, and this condition is called a
“Non-Linear Load” or “Non-Sinusoidal
Load”. To determine what amount of

冑
and changing its magnitude. For instance,
when a sine wave voltage source is harmonic content is present, a K-Factor
( (( ( ( (
2 2 2
IRMS IRMS IRMS calculation is made instead of using the
applied to a non-linear load connected 60 HZ 180 HZ N
from a phase-leg to neutral on a 3-phase, THD= THD formula. The total amount of

( (
2

4-wire branch circuit, the load itself will
draw a current wave made up of the
60 Hz fundamental frequency of the
voltage source, plus 3rd and higher order
odd harmonic (multiples of the 60 Hz
fundamental frequency), which are all
IRMS harmonics will determine the percentage
60 HZ of non-linear load, which can be specified
with the appropriate K-Factor rating.
This yields an RMS value of distortion as
a percentage of the fundamental 60 Hz
waveform.

Siemens Power Distribution & Control, SPEEDFAX™ 2007-2008 Product Catalog 18-17
 Technical
Harmonics / K-factor Ratings
Typical Symptoms of Harmonic
Problems
▪ Distribution / lighting transformers
overheating even when measured load
current is within transformer rating
▪ Neutral cable / bus overheating even
with balanced load
▪ Fuses blowing and circuit breakers
tripping at currents within rating
Effect Of Harmonics On Transformers
Non-sinusoidal current generates extra
losses and heating of transformer coils
thus reducing efficiency and shortening
the life expectancy of the transformer.
Coil losses increase with the higher
harmonic frequencies due to higher eddy
current loss in the conductors.
Furthermore, on a balanced linear power
system, the phase currents are 120
degrees out of phase and offset one
another in the neutral conductor. But with
the “Triplen” harmonics (multiple of 3)
the phase currents are in phase and they
are additive in this neutral conductor. This
may cause installations with non-linear
loads to double either the size or number
of neutral conductors.
Table 17.5 K-Factor Ratings
Non- Total K-
Type Linear Linear Factor
Load Load Load Valve
K4 100% 50% 4.0
K13 100% 100% 13.0
K20 100% 125% 20.0
K30 100% 150% 30.0
Measurement of Harmonics
For existing installations, the extent of
the harmonics can be measured with
appropriate instruments commonly
18
referred to as “Power Harmonic
Analyzers”. This service is offered by
TECHNICAL
many consulting service organizations.
For new construction, such information
may not be obtainable. For such
situations, it is best to assume the worse
case condition based on experience with
the type and mix of loads.
18-18 Siemens Power Distribution & Control, SPEEDFAX™ 2007-2008 Product Catalog
Selection
Sizing Transformers for Non-Linear Table 17.6 Index of Load K-Ratings
Loads K-Factor ILK
ANSI / IEEE C57.110-1986 has a K1 0.0
procedure for de-rating standard K4 25.82
distribution transformers for non-linear
K9 44.72
loading. However this is not the only
K13 57.74
approach. A transformer with the
appropriate K-Factor specifically designed K20 80.94
for non-linear loads can be specified. K30 123.54
K40 208.17
K-Factors
K-Factor is a ratio between the additional 3. Tabulate the total connected load kVA
losses due to harmonics and the eddy
for all load categories to be supplied.
losses at 60 Hz. It is used to specify
4. Next, add-up the kVA-ILK values for all
transformers for non-linear loads. Note
loads or load categories to be supplied
that K-Factor transformers do not
by the transformer.
eliminate harmonic distortion; they
withstand the non-linear load condition 5. Divide the grand total kVA-ILK value by
without overheating. the total kVA load to be supplied. This
will give an average ILK for that combi-
Calculating K-Factor Loads nation of loads. Total kVA-ILK/ Total
1. List the kVA value for each load kVA = average ILK.
category to be supplied. Next, assign a 6. From Table 21.6 find the K-factor rating
K-factor designation that corresponds whose ILK is equal to or greater than
to the relative level of harmonics the calculated ILK.
drawn by each type of load. Refer to
Table 21.5.
2. Multiply the kVA of each load or load
category times the Index of Load
K-rating (ILK) that corresponds to the
assigned K-factor rating. This result is
an indexed kVA-ILK value.
KVA x ILK = kVA-ILK.
Table 17.7 Estimating K-Factor Loads햲
Description K-Factor ILK
Incandescent Lighting
Electric Resistance Heating
Motors (without solid state drives)
Control Transformers / Electromagnetic Control Devices K1 0.00
Motor-Generators (without solid state drives)
Standard Distribution Transformers
Electric Discharge Lighting (HID)
UPS with Optional Input Filter
Welders K4 25.82
Induction Heating Equipment
PLCs and Solid State Controls
Telecommunications Equipment (PBX)
UPS without Input Filtering K13 57.74
Multiwire Receptacle Circuits in General Care Areas of Health Care Facilities,
Schools, etc.
Multiwire Receptacle Circuits Supplying Testing Equipment on an Assembly Line
Main-Frame Computer Loads
Solid State Motor Drives (variable speed drives) K20 80.94
Multiwire Receptacle Circuits in Critical Care Areas in Hospitals
Multiwire Receptacle Circuits in Industrial, Medical and Educational Laboratories
Multiwire Receptacle Circuits in Commercial Office Spaces K30 123.54
Small Main-Frames (mini and micro)
/ Typical loads and K-Factor values for estimating purposes only.