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Harmonics in Electrical System: Sources and Effects (1st Series)
Harmonics in Electrical System: Sources and Effects (1st Series)

September 4, 2024

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In this article, we will assist the operating engineers and facility managers to understand the effect of Harmonics in the electrical system, its sources, impacts and risks.


Any electrical system is driven by a complex system of high-end energy conversion, distribution and utilisation of the same in equipment and machinery which either transfers electrical energy or utilises the same for delivering any other mechanical or usable output. The example of such equipment would be transformers which converts one type of electrical supply to another type like high power to low power, high voltage to low voltage, and so on, as a power or distribution transformer, the other machinery would be either switching mechanisms like switches, breakers and isolators along with the motors and lighting equipment that provide the usable energy or applications. The entire system is connected through a network of required cabling or bus ducts as per the application to have a continuity of the power distribution.

Harmonics in Electrical System:

Harmonics effect is in terms of a waveform for voltage and current frequencies on top of the normal sinusoidal voltage and current waveforms. Usually, these harmonic frequencies are in multiples of the fundamental frequency, which is 50 hertz (Hz). Harmonics are created by these “switching loads” (also called “nonlinear loads”, because current does not change smoothly with voltage as it does with simple resistive and reactive loads). Each time the current is switched on and off, a current pulse is created. The resulting pulsed waveform is made up of a trend of harmonic frequencies, including the 50Hz fundamental and multiples of the same. The higher-frequency waveforms together referred to as total harmonic distortion (THD), and doesn’t perform any useful work and can be a significant nuisance.

The operation of nonlinear loads causes the distorted current, which is path dependent; the effect of current distortion on loads within a facility is on a lesser scale. Therefore, harmonic currents can’t flow into equipment other than the nonlinear loads that caused them. However, the effect of current distortion on distribution systems can be serious, primarily because of the increased current flowing in the system. Therefore, current harmonics causes increased losses in the customer and utility power system components.

Sample fundamental and distorted waveform as shown below:


Various sources of harmonics:

Mentioned here are some of the non-linear loads which generate harmonics:

 

 

Impacts and Effects of harmonics:

The harmonics have a multifold effect on various network elements present in a system. Whenever a harmonic current flows through an equipment, the following can occur:

 

Quality of the power plays an important role and that ensures whether an electrical distribution system within any property is healthy or has adverse effects on other systems. Risking the entire system as a whole in terms of overload, high voltages, heating, etc. and will ultimately lead to additional cost and penalties in the utility bills. In the next series, we will look at the risks involved and how to mitigate them. 

Also Read: Colliers | Harmonics in Electrical System: Mitigation (2nd Series)

About the Author:

Imran Khan| Director | Real Estate Management Services


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