Sources & Solutions of Harmonics Disturbances
There are various sources that cause harmonics or harmonic problems in industrial electrical systems, including non-linear loads, 3-phase converters, and so on. This article will briefly discuss the sources, effect, impact and alternative solutions for dealing with harmonic disturbances in industrial electricity systems. —Omazaki Consultant a consultant that provides measurement, monitoring, checking, finding sources of harmonic causes and then propose solutions to mitigate harmonic disturbances effect or problems for both existing commercial and industrial facilities. Contact us by sending an email to cs@omazaki.co.id or by filling in the form in contact.
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Sources of Harmonics in Industry Electrical Power Systems
Harmonic distortions are voltage and current wave variations due to variations in frequencies within the electrical distribution systems. In particular, there are deviations from the typical sinusoidal variations in voltages or currents.
The most common of harmonic distortions sources are nonlinear loads, since the nonlinear loads draw current in a non-sinusoidal manner.
Some sources of harmonics that causes damage impact in industrial electrical power systems are:
- Non-linear loads such as VFDs
- Three-phase power converters
- AC drives
- DC drives
- Arcing devices like arc furnace
- Inadequate wiring installation plan and practices
- Undersized circuits
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Effect of Harmonics Distortion in Industry
The impact or effect of harmonic distortion is often not experienced quickly even though the harmonics was out of tolerance. Many users often ignored it until they experience various devices or system problems.
Impact of harmonic distortions in industrial are:
- Driving up energy costs
- Damage in electronic equipment, causing logical faults in digital circuits
- Malfunctions, efficiency losses, overheat, and derating on motors and generators
- Disruption to the production process
- Disruption to human health
- In transformers, harmonic currents increase hysteresis losses and eddy currents as well as insulation pressure
- Unexpected resonances
- Unwanted circuit-breakers tripping or fuses blowing
- Increase in expenditure on electrical assets when plant facility or building expansion is necessary
- and so on.
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Solutions and Mitigations of Harmonics in Industry
The most general principle regarding solutions to mitigating harmonic problems is to do something to the sources of the harmonics waves themselves, both harmonic currents and harmonic voltages.
There are several common solutions to mitigate harmonic wave interference in the industrial world, they are:
- Reduces harmonic currents caused by loads
- Reconfigure the electrical network installation
- Oversize the neutral wiring
- Use separate neutral conductors
- Load regrouping
- Phase balancing
- Reduces harmonic currents caused by loads
- Increase supply mode stiffness
- Adding Multi-pulse converters for harmonic cancellation
- Series Reactors
- Use K-rated transformers in power distribution components
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References
- IEEE 519 – IEEE Standard for Harmonic Control in Electric Power Systems
- IEC 6100-4-7 – Testing and measurement techniques – General guide on harmonics and interharmonics measurements and instrumentation
- 6 Techniques for Controlling Harmonic Distortion
- Five Ways to Reduce Harmonics in Circuits and Power Distribution Systems
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Contact Omazaki Consultant if you are looking for a harmonic sources analysis consultant in the industrial world. We also provide consultancy services for creating alternative solutions and recommendations for resolving harmonic problems in your existing electrical systems.
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