Harmonische vervuiling; een risico dat HyTEPS wil elimineren

Causes of harmonic pollution

Harmonic pollution is caused by the harmonic currents of non-linear loads. These non-linear loads are electrical devices that do not demonstrate ‘linear’ behavior; the voltage and current are not synchronous. These devices attempt to convert the pure sinusoidal alternating voltage into a direct current. The resulting alternating current is no longer purely sinusoidal.

Power electronics, or equipment in which power electronics are present, are typical non-linear loads. In industrial and commercial installations, this type of equipment is being used to an increasing extent. As a result, harmonic pollution within these installations is increasing exponentially.

Examples of non-linear loads

Frequency inverters/variable speed drives (for AC and DC motors)

Industrial devices (welding equipment, electric arc furnaces, induction ovens, battery dischargers)

Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS)

IT equipment (servers, computers, printers)

Lightning with electric loads (TL-lightning, LED lightning)

Most devices that use semiconductors (transistors and/or diodes, solid state relays)

Interested in the possibilities?

We are happy to help you gain insight into the quality of electrical energy within your installation. By means of measurements, analysis and appropriate reporting, we offer you insight into the Power Quality status of your installation.

Consequences of harmonic pollution

The consequences of harmonic pollution in an installation vary from equipment defects to completely burned-out distribution boards. Depending on the degree of harmonic pollution and the sensitivity of connected equipment, negative effects of harmonic pollution may reveal themselves more quickly.

Negative effects of harmonic pollution

Elevated cable resistance, resulting in more heat in the cables => risk of fire & ‘skin effect’

High zero currents that can cause unforeseen problems => failure risks

Unexpected switch-off of security devices => safety risk

Additional reactive power (distortive reactive power) in the installation => energy and capacity loss

Switching equipment – such as frequency converters – may consume more than 50% of reactive power => energy and capacity loss

Unwanted currents through the cables => errors

Overload of motors and transformers => increased noise & negative direction of rotational field

Shortened life span of equipment due to increased operating temperatures => unnecessary costs

What is a harmonic?

A harmonic is a frequency that is a whole multiple of its fundamental frequency. The fundamental of the European voltage grid is 50Hz. With a fundamental of 50Hz, multiples exclusively include frequencies of 100Hz, 150Hz, 200Hz and so on. These ‘multiple’ frequencies are called harmonics. If the fundamental frequency is 50Hz, the 3rd harmonic is 150Hz, the 5th harmonic is 250Hz and the 7th harmonic is 350Hz.

The Total Harmonic Distortion, or THD, of the voltage and the current is expressed from the 2nd harmonic to the 50th harmonic. More specifically, THDu describes the total harmonics in the voltage and THDi describes the total harmonics in the current.

Three groups of harmonics

Harmonics can be divided into three groups, also known as directions of rotation. Assuming a ground frequency of 50Hz, which is clockwise, each of these groups has a different effect.

Still in the neutral (homopolar)

3rd harmonic
9th harmonic
15th harmonic
Etc. until 50th

Leads to increased neutral currents that can result in heating and ignition of cables and components.

Left turning field (counterclockwise)

5th harmonic
11th harmonic
17 harmonic
Etc. until 50th

Leads to losses in, for example, motors and transformers as well as heat generation in the electrical infrastructure.

Right turning field (clockwise)

7th harmonic
13th harmonic
19th harmonic
Etc. until 50th

Leads to losses in, for example, motors and transformers and heat generation in the electrical infrastructure.

Each device has its own distinctive harmonics. For example, frequency drives often produce 5th and 7th harmonics and LED lightning often produces 3rd harmonics.

In Power Quality we measure the harmonic pollution up to the 50th harmonic. For this, we use Fluke meters and Power Quality analyzers. Above 50th harmonics, more advanced equipment is required, such as an oscilloscope to take measurements in the EMC spectrum.

Standards regarding maximum harmonic pollution

The maximum harmonic pollution (of the voltage) – in both public and non-public networks – are defined in different standards relating to the quality of electricity.

(NEN) EN50160

The standard for the voltage quality for energy suppliers/network operators.

Describes the maximum harmonic pollution to the 25^th

When prescribing the minimum quality of the voltage, the Net Code refers to NEN-EN50160. This is a Dutch standard, based on the European standard EN50106 and part of the Netcode.

The EN50160 (EN50106) specifies the requirements for grid quality that the energy supplier supplies in low, medium and high voltage networks. This standard describes the most important characteristics that the grid quality must meet at the ‘point of coupling’ – the transmission point from the network operator to the end user. This standard does not describe the average situation usually experienced by an end user.

NEN-EN-IEC61000

This is a standard for the immunity, susceptibility and emissions of electrical devices and systems, often referred to as the IEC61000 standard.

Numerous IEC61000 standards have been created specifically to apply to all kinds of electrical installations, ranging from basic household installations to large industrial installations.

IEC61000 describes several standards for different types of equipment. These include standards for industrial frequency drives as well as standards for measurement equipment designed to reach a specified level of measurement quality.

While IEC61000 can only be applied in a device-specific manner, it can be used in combination with an analysis of the quality of the applied power to the device, to map certain risks in each individual situation.

IEC61000 not only describes immunity and maximum emissions in the Power Quality aspects of electrical equipment. One of the other topics described in the IEC61000 is the immunity and emissions of the EMC related aspects.