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Harmonics

Harmonics provides a mathematical analysis of distortions to a current or voltage waveform based on Fourier series. Harmonics can describe any periodic wave as a summation of simple sinusoidal waves which are integer multiples of the fundamental frequency. Non-linear loads, such as devices with power electronics circuits, draw non-sinusoidal current that can be decomposed into harmonics. Common non-linear loads causing harmonics include industrial equipment, variable speed drives, office equipment, household appliances, UPSs, and saturated transformers.

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42 views2 pages

Harmonics

Harmonics provides a mathematical analysis of distortions to a current or voltage waveform based on Fourier series. Harmonics can describe any periodic wave as a summation of simple sinusoidal waves which are integer multiples of the fundamental frequency. Non-linear loads, such as devices with power electronics circuits, draw non-sinusoidal current that can be decomposed into harmonics. Common non-linear loads causing harmonics include industrial equipment, variable speed drives, office equipment, household appliances, UPSs, and saturated transformers.

Uploaded by

jayantabhbasu
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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HARMONICS

1. WHAT IS HARMONICS: Harmonics provides a mathematical analysis of distortions to a current or


voltage waveform. Based on Fourier series, harmonics can describe any
periodic wave as summation of simple sinusoidal waves which are integer
multiples of the fundamental frequency.
Harmonics are steady-state distortions to current and voltage waves and repeat
every cycle. They are different from transient distortions to power systems such
as spikes, dips and impulses
The nth order harmonic (commonly referred to as simply the nth harmonic) in a
signal is the sinusoidal component with a frequency that is n times the
fundamental frequency.
2. ORIGIN OF HARMONICS: Devices causing harmonics are present in all industrial, commercial and
residential installations. Harmonics are caused by non-linear loads.
A load is said to be non-linear when the current it draws does not have the same
wave form as the supply voltage. Devices comprising power electronics circuits
are typical non-linear loads.
Such loads are increasingly frequent and their percentage in overall electrical
consumption is growing steadily. In a normal alternating current power system,
the current varies sinusoidal at a specific frequency, usually 50 or 60 hertz.
When a linear electrical load is connected to the system, it draws a sinusoidal
current at the same frequency as the voltage (though usually not in phase with
the voltage).
Current harmonics are caused by non-linear loads. When a non-linear load, such
as a rectifier, is connected to the system, it draws a current that is not
necessarily sinusoidal. The current waveform can become quite complex,
depending on the type of load and its interaction with other components of the
system. Regardless of how complex the current waveform becomes, as
described through Fourier series analysis, it is possible to decompose it into a
series of simple sinusoids, which start at the power system fundamental
frequency and occur at integer multiples of the fundamental frequency.
Examples:A. Industrial equipment (welding machines, arc furnaces, induction
furnaces, rectifiers),
B. Variable-speed drives for asynchronous and DC motors,
C. Office equipment (PCs, photocopy machines, fax machines, etc.),

D. Household appliances (television sets, microwave ovens, fluorescent


lighting, etc.),
E. UPSs.
F. Saturation of equipment (essentially transformers) may also cause nonlinear currents.

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