UNIT II

HARMONICS IN POWER SYSTEM

LESSON 8:
INTRODUCTION TO HARMONICS

Todays world is the world of quality and quantity. Man is

making ceaseless effort to improve the quality of service.
Electricity is that service which has made mans life very
comfortable. Hence it is very obvious that he is striving hard to
improve its quality. Consequently taking a note of that since
most loads in modern electrical distribution systems are
inductive, there is an ongoing interest in improving power
factor. But this has also resulted in generation of harmonics It
is very important to hence to know and understand what are
these harmonics and where do they come from.

What are Harmonics?

Harmonics are voltages and currents at frequencies that are
multiples of utility power frequency i.e 50 HZ in INDIA.
Where Do Harmonics Come From?
Harmonics currents result from loads that drawn power in non
sine wave format .These are so called non-linear loads.
Nonlinear loads are a result of harmonic currents generated by
electrical and electronic devices including personal computers;
uninterruptible power supplies (UPS).
Nonlinear loads are any loads which draw current which is not
sinusoidal. Harmonic current flows cause additional heating in
the power supply components, cause voltage distortion and
may excite resonance or cause undesirable interactions in the
power systems. Harmonic current flow also reduces the system
power factor. The harmonic distortion power factor cannot be
compensated for by simply adding p.f. correction capacitors.

Harmonics and their Sources

Harmonics are voltages and currents at frequencies that are
multiples of utility power frequency.

Even Harmonics:

5Ox5=250
5Ox7=350
5Ox2= 100
5Ox4=2OO
5Ox6=3OO

............. etc

............. etc

Harmonic
We generate electric power in a pure sine wave form. Most of
the electrical and electronic apparatus is designed to perform
under this pure sine wave form. When this waveform gets
distorted, the performances of the electrical and electronic
apparatus are affected. The distorted waveform may be
considered as a combination of the original sine wave from and
a multiplicity of superimposed high frequency waveforms. The
latter are termed as the harmonics.
In Fig. a., two separate waveforms exit in a network simultaneously. When superimposed, they result in a distorted
waveform as shown in Fig. b.. Any distorted/truncated
waveform can be analyzed by Fourier series to obtain a multitude of frequencies, superimposed upon one another.

Fig. 8.2 Superimposition of Harmonics

It is the customers right and prerogative to receive electric power
in a pure sine wave form so that he/she can use his/her
equipment properly. The electricity power supplying authorities
are expected to supply power in a pure waveform at his/her
point of connection. The user of this power, in return, is
expected not to generate harmonics and dump them into the
supply network. Capacitors play an important role for both the
sides.

Some Terms and Definitions

1. Harmonic
A sinusoidal component of a periodic wave or quantity having
a frequency, that is an integral multiple of the fundamental
frequency.
Fig Fundamental, 5th, 7th Harmonic
In India the utility power supply frequency being(l, 50 Hz the
harmonic waves have frequency which is the multiples of
fundamental frequency i.e. 5OHz.Depending on the odd and
even multiples the harmonics are called as odd and even
harmonics viz:
Odd Harmonics: 50x3=150

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2. Characteristics Harmonic
Those harmonics produced by the semiconductor converter
equipment in the course of its normal operation are characteristics harmonic. In a six pulse converter, the characteristics
harmonic are the non-triple odd harmonics, for example the
5th, 7th, 11th, 13th etc.
h = kQ I = Characteristics Harmonics

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Introduction

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k = any integer
Q = pulse number of the converter

Low impact equipment

Current Source of a Harmonic

3. Harmonic Factor or Distortion Factor

It is the ratio of RMS square values of all harmonics to the
RMS squire value of the fundamental.
4. Filter
Filter is a generic term used to describe those types of equipments whose purpose is to reduce the harmonic current or
voltage, which is flowing in or is being impressed upon specific
parts of electricity power systems, or both.
5. Filter types
Series, Shunt, Tuned, Hi-pass are some types of filter.
6. Filter Hi-pass
A filter having a single transmission band extending from some
of Common frequency, not zero and up to infinite frequency.

Let us consider the case of a transformer producing harmonics.

On the fundamental sine wave, a transformer produces a sine
voltage on the output side. The load impedance determines the
current and the power drawable at this voltage. The transformer draws a corresponding power from the input or supply
side.
However, under a saturated core condition, it draws more
power, which produces harmonics. This extra power is
determined by the point at which it is operating and the capacity
of the transformer. It is independent of the load conditions
and is fixed for a given set of conditions. The transformer now
becomes a generator which puts a total of constant currents, by
way of harmonics, into the output side. It works as a constant
current generator.

7. PCC
Point of Coupling between a customer and the supply
network.

How are Harmonics Produced?

All the electrical electronic apparatus can be categorized into four
main types. They are:
1. Apparatus using magnetic fields for their operation. The
basic parameter distinguishing these types is an inductance.
2. Apparatus heated, on purpose or while performing some
other duty, have a basic parameter in the form of a
resistance.
3. Apparatus storing and giving out electricity through their
dielectric properties have a basic parameter termed as
capacitance.
4. In an electronic apparatus, like a converter, an electronic
switch switches on and off the power at any designated
point on the sine wave.
Out of these basic parameters, resistance and capacitor are
passive components. When electricity flows through them, they
do not produce something of their own and add it to the
supply waveform. In other words, these do not cause distortion or produce harmonics.
An oscillating magnetic field constitutes an active component.
It produces secondary electrical waves. These would be pure
sine waves, 1 if the magnetic material is operating in its straightline characteristics. When it operates in the saturated region, its
output waveform does not have a linear relation with the input
waveform. It distorts the output wave and we have what we
term, harmonics.

A Chopped Wave Output

When we use a converter, the same thing happens and it works
as a constant current generator depending on its point of
trigger, and capacity, (see Fig. )

Spread of Harmonics into a System

These types of constant current generators put out constant
current of harmonics into the system at the point of connection of these generators to the system. This current gets
divided into network branches in inverse proportion of
impedances offered by these branches to the total impedance
offered.
In Fig., A is a constant current generator. This current will flow
into various branches within As - own plant. It will also flow
out at the point of common coupling (PCC), into the network.
If plant B is next door, a portion of it will flow into the plant
B and affect its working.

An electronic switch chops in and admits only a portion of a

sine wave. It creates distortion, i.e. it contributes to harmonic
production. It is an active device.

Harmonic Solutions

Understanding

Planning

Studies surveys
Filters

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Fig. Spread of Harmonics into a System

The short-circuit level at PCC is normally very high, say 250
MVA. The load ratings on various branches are low, say 50
kWs, etc. This means that the impedance offered by the
external network to the current flow is the lowest of various
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Now assume that we have put a tuned filter or a set of filters at

PCC. This filter is a direct short-circuit for the harmonic current
flow. Harmonics flowing into the branches, into the network,
etc. will now gather together and flow into this filter.
1. The other branches, external network, etc. ire now almost
fully rid of the har-monics.
2. The filter harmonic currents will not be the harmonic
current measured previously without a filter at the PCC. It
will be the highest possible current (under the worst
possible operating conditions) produced by A. The filter
will have to be designed accordingly.
3. If the short-circuit level at PCC is above a certain level x,
then its impedance-right up to the point D is so low that
hardly any sizeable harmonic current will flow anywhere else,
except into D. This type of system is technically termed as a
stiff system. Stiff systems will do away with the n6cessity
of installing filters, as the following Table 20.1
recommended by IEEE specifications C-519-1992 shows.
Stiffer a system, the higher is its short-circuit (ISC/ I L ) ratio.
4. If we have a large enough capacitor bank, put in for power
factor correction either at A or at B, and this bank happens
to resonate with a parallel inductance at a given harmonic
frequency, then large amounts of locally circulating harmonic
currents will flow on account of a parallel resonance. This
will damage the capacitors. The harmonic current measured
on this parallel resonance is independent of the harmonic
current produced by the constant current generator A. When
this happens, we can get away from the harmful resonant
conditions -by increasing or decreasing the number of
capacitors in the capacitor ban.

Who Produces Harmonics in India?

Power transformers are the single biggest contributors to
harmonic generation in India today. The EMF generated in a
transformer winding is equal to the line voltage minus the
voltage drop in the primary impedance. On full load, this EMF
lies on the straight portion of the B-H curve due to a sizeable
voltage drop across the primary impedance. Consequently a
lower EMF is required. On no load, the voltage drop across the
primary impedance is comparatively low and the EMF is higher.
It moves further up across the B-H curve. In a tightly designed
transformer, the point lies in the saturation bend and this
generates harmonics. In addition to this, if this transformer on
no load, has a few permanently connected capacitors, then the
leading, current of capacitors cancels out all the primary
impedance voltage drop and the EMF tries to rise still further.
While the voltage rise on secondary is marginal, harmonics are
produced in abundance, over loading the capacitors. Further, if
the capacitance cancels out the transmission line reactance, then
the system impedance falls to some extent. Consequently the
short-circuit MVA level at the capacitor point rises considerably,
leading to instability.
A chance surge on the line will get amplified and will oscillate
for a longer period, putting the capacitor, as well as the transformer in jeopardy. By arranging the transformer winding in
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star delta, the generation of the 3rd harmonic can be limited,

but not of that other harmonics. In case of single-phase
transformers, with one grounded terminal, as is used in the
railway AC traction, the situation on harmonics becomes worst.
The second most troublesome sources of harmonics are those
generated by the steel-melting arc-furnaces in India. A number
of phenomena are heaped together. First, there are the arcing
frequencies. Secondly, there are heavy surges when the entire
currents are cut-off, for example, when a melting mass sinks
down suddenly and loses arc contact or even when the electrode
itself breaks or detaches. Thirdly, the transformer core, in series
with the inductance of the melting mass, gets saturated and
produces harmonics. To some extent, the frequency spread of
these
Harmonics depends on the composition and density of the
melting masses as well. Well-established furnace manufacturers
have collected the data and categorised on harmonic generation
under various conditions and for different furnace designs.
These data are useful in designing the overall capacitor installation as well as the filter banks for an industrial arc furnace.
Fluorescent tubes, alongwith their chokes, contribute considerably to the harmonics. Streetlights, halogen lamps also
contribute significantly to the harmonics.
Railway traction, supplied through a single phase of a threephase transformer, contributes very heavily to the harmonics.
Apart from damaging their own capacitors, capacitors in
adjoining substations are also affected. Railways upgrade their
capacitors and use high values of series reactors.
DC drives and converters are being employed in larger ratings
and larger numbers. Rectifier loads in chemical plants also
produce a larger amount of harmonics. Straight capacitors used
in these plants have shorter lives.
Switch mode power supplies are an essential item for almost all
electronic items. These give a steady electrical output, in spite of
voltage variations in the mains. These also draw current over a
part of each half cycle, as shown in Fig. 8.5

Fig. Current Wave of a Switch Mode Power Supply

Who are Likely to Produce Harmonics In

Sizeable Quantities in the Immediate
Future?
Our industry patterns and consumption patterns are rapidly
changing, following the trends in the developed countries. The
pattern of harmonic production in the West could be expected
here also in a short span of time. Here it would be worthwhile
to discuss some important developments in the West.

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ELECTRICAL POWER

impedances offered by the branch loads. A major Portion of

this harmonic current will flow into the network, A portion of
it flows into B.

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1. Use of Energy Efficient Lamps

Lamp load forms a considerable portion of residential and
commercial loads. It is reported to be 30% of the total load in
North America. The incandescent lamps, extensively used in
India, are very inefficient producers of light. These are improved upon with compact fluorescent lamps containing
electronic ballasts.
2. Variable Speed Drives
Variable speed drives give better electrical efficiency than the
linear fixed speed. Induction motors are used widely in India
today. They are becoming common and find increasing
application in air conditioners, which constitute a major load in
commercial and a sizeable portion in the residential load. The
prominent harmonics produced are 3rd and 5th.
3. Battery Chargers
Battery chargers are essentially rectifiers. It is expected that
electrically driven automobiles will have an increasing share in
the automobile field on account of low operating costs and
least eco-restrictions. Most of the batteries will be charged on
single-phase connection at the consumers premises, contributing heavily to the harmonic distortions on feeders.
4. Computers
Computers are now forming a sizeable load in offices and
commercial establishments. These produce 3rd and 5th
harmonics and are mainly single-phase loads. They themselves
are the worst affected by harmonics in the system.
5. HVDC Systems
HVDC systems generate harmonics on a large scale. They have
minutely designed and accurate filter systems to take care of
these harmonics.
Except for typical locations, like the vicinities of electrified
railway substations, arc-melting furnaces, etc. the total voltage
harmonic distortions in have been negligible. Their annual rate
of rise also was not measured or recorded. As a result, the
problem has not been tackled seriously in India.
Notes

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