POWER QUALITY ANALYSIS BASED ON HARMONIC DISTORTION LEVEL IN

FKEE LAB, UMP

AHMAD KAMIL BIN FADIR

This thesis is submitted as partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of the
Bachelor of Electrical Engineering (Power Systems)

Faculty of Electrical & Electronics Engineering

Universiti Malaysia Pahang

MAY, 2009
“All the trademark and copyrights use herein are property of their respective owner.
References of information from other sources are quoted accordingly; otherwise the
information presented in this report is solely work of the author.”

Signature : _________________________________________

Author : AHMAD KAMIL BIN FADIR

Date : 06 MAY 2009

 Specially dedicated, in thankful appreciation, encouragement and
understandings to my beloved family and those who contributed for this
project
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

In the name of Allah, The Most Loving and The Most Compassionate

I would like to take this opportunity to extend my deepest gratitude to the

following persons who helped me a lot in this project, which enabled me to complete my
research project in time as a partial of the requirement for the Bachelor of Electrical
Engineering (Power Systems).

The successful completion of this project would not have been possible without
the help of the following people.

First and foremost, a special thank to my supervisor Mr. Mohd Redzuan bin
Ahmad, who helped me a lot for the project research, for all the support, continuous
patience, and supervision given throughout the project.

I would like to give my appreciation to Mr. Ahmad Zainuddin bin Mohamed for
their valuable time spent on guiding me during the completion of this project. Their
guidance and helps is indeed very much appreciated.

To important lecturer, Mr. Ruhaizad bin Ishak who has taken effort in advising
and supporting me, you deserve a sincere Thank you from me. Apart from that, I would
like to thank for my father, Mr Fadir bin Khamis for his support and motivation during
done final year project.
 Thank you to my classmates with their encouragement and help. Last but not
least, my special thanks, to my family members especially my mother Mrs Zaiton binti
Hanafi for their continuous support and advice from the early stage of my studies.
 ABSTRACT

Power quality is defined as any power problem manifested in voltage, current or

frequency deviation that results in failure or misoperation of customer equipment.
Harmonic is sinusoidal voltage or currents which has frequencies that are integer
multiples of the fundamental frequency (frequency at which the supply system is
designed to operate, normally 50 or 60 Hz).Firstly the harmonic current and voltage were
get at substation board in FKEE lab by using power quality analyzer. After a week, the
data transferred to the computer by using FLUKEVIEW software. Then, the data were
compared to International Standard which is AS61000.3.6 and IEEE 519 by using Visual
Basic (Microsoft Web Developer) to display it. The results show us that all the data were
satisfy with the standards. During the study period (between 12 pm until 6 pm) at the lab,
there were the peak period of harmonic but from 7 pm to 7 am, the harmonics were lower
than before. Its shows us that the usage of the electrical equipment such as computers,
lighting, motors were higher during our lab period. So, from the analysis we know when
is the peak time of harmonic will occur and the sources of the harmonic. Besides that, we
also know about the effect of the harmonic distortion on electrical equipment.
 ABSTRAK

Kualiti tenaga adalah ditakrifkan sebagai sebarang masalah kuasa yang dinyatakan dalam
voltan, arus atau sisihan frekuensi yang menyebabkan kegagalan operasi peralatan
pelanggan. Sinusoidal harmonik bagi voltan atau arus yang mempunyai frekuensi
berganda dari frekuensi asas (frekuensi pada sistem bekalan untuk beroperasi, biasanya
50 atau 60 Hz). Kaedah pertama ialah harmonik pada arus dan voltan perlu diambil
daripada pencawang di makmal FKEE dengan menggunakan sejenis alat untuk merekod
data iaitu power quality analzer. Selepas seminggu, data dipindahkan ke komputer
dengan menggunakan perisian FLUKEVIEW. Kemudian, data yang diambil perlu
dibandingkan dengan Piawaian Antarabangsa iaitu AS61000.3.6 dan IEEE 519 dengan
menggunakan perisian Visual Basic (Microsoft Web Developer), 2005. Keputusan
perbandingan menunjukkan bahawa ianya tidak melebihi dari piawaian yang ditetapkan .
Semasa jangka masa kajian (antara jam 12 tengah hari sehingga 6 petang) di kawasan
makmal, nilai harmonik akan mencapai kemuncak tetapi dari jam 7 petang sehimmga 7
pagi, nilai harmonik akan mengalami penrurnan. Ini menunjukkan bahawa penggunaan
peralatan elektrik seperti komputer, lampu, motor adalah lebih tinggi semasa tempoh
makmal FKEE beroperasi. Jadi, daripada analisis ini kita dapat menentukan tempoh masa
nilai harmonik mencapai kemuncak dan sumber-sumber yang menyebabkan terhasilnya
harmonik. Selain itu kita juga dapat mengetaui kesan-kesan yang dihasilkan oleh
harmonic pada peralatan-peralatn elektrik pelanggan.
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER TITLE PAGE

TITLE PAGE i
DECLARATION ii
DEDICATION iii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT iv
ABSTRACT vi
ABSTRAK vii
TABLE OF CONTENTS viii
LIST OF TABLES xi
LIST OF FIGURES xii
LIST OF SYMBOLS xiii
LIST OF APPENDICES xiv

1 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Project Background 1
1.2 Objective 1
1.3 Scope of the project 2
1.4 Literature Review 2
1.5 Thesis Outline 4

2 POWER QUALITY
2.1 Introduction 5
 2.2 Insight to the term of power quality 5
2.3 Interest in power quality 6
2.4 Problem from poor power quality 7
2.5 Introduction to harmonics 9
2.6 Voltage and current distortion 10
2.6.1 Even harmonics 10
2.6.2 Odd harmonics 10
2,7 Sources 12
2.7.1 Saturable devices 12
2.7.2 Arcing devices 13
2.7.3 Power electronics 13
2.8 Effects 14
2.8.1 Motors 14
2.8.2 Transformers 14
2.8.3 Conductors 15
2.8.4 Capacitors 15
2.8.5 Over current protection devices 15
2.8.6 Metering 16
2.8.7 Electronic equipments 16
2.8.8 Neutral currents 16
2.9 Summary 17

3 POWER QUALITY ANALYSIS METHOD

3.1 Introduction 19
3.2 Visual Basic Web Developer 2005 19
3.3 Advantages of using Visual Basic Web Developer 20
3.4 Flow chart of the project 21
3.5 Total harmonic distortion 23
3.6 Harmonic standards 25
3.6.1 AS 61000.3.6 25
3.6.2 IEEE 519 26
 3.7 Summary 27

4 RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

4.1 Introduction 29
4.2 Case 1: Harmonic voltage 29
4.2.1 Harmonic voltage from power quality 30
analyzer
4.2.2 Harmonic voltage compared to AS 61000.3.6 31
4.3 Case 2: Harmonic current 32
4.3.1 Harmonic current from power quality 33
analyzer
4.3.2 Harmonic current compared to IEEE 519 34
4.4 Discussion for harmonic currents and voltages 35
4.5 Summary 36

5 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

5.1 Conclusions 37
5.2 Recommendations 38
5.3 Costing and Commercialization 38

REFERENCES 39-40
Appendices A-G 41-65
 LIST OF TABLES

TABLE NO. TITLE PAGE

2.0 Causes and effects of poor power quality 8

2.1 Harmonics and their corresponding sequence component 11
3.0 Compatibility levels for harmonic voltages (in % of 25
nominal) in LV and MV power systems as stated in AS
61000.3.6
3.1 Harmonic current limits as defined in IEEE 519-1992 26
3.2 Harmonic Voltage Limits as defined in IEEE 519-1992 27
 LIST OF FIGURES

FIGURE TITLE PAGE

NO.
2.0 Comparison of linear and non-linear VI characteristic 9
3.0 Flow chart project 22
4.0 Red phase, 9th harmonic order 30
4.1 Harmonic voltage comparison for day 1 31
4.2 Harmonic voltage comparison for day 3 32
4.3 Red phase, 3rd harmonic order 33
4.4 Harmonic current comparison for day 1 34
4.5 Harmonic current comparison for day 2 35
 LIST OF SYMBOLS

THVD - Total harmonic voltage distortion

N - Largest harmonic voltage/current order consider
Vi - Rms value of harmonic voltage component i

V1 - Rms value of the fundamental voltage component

THID - Total harmonic current distortion
I i - Rms value of harmonic current component i
I1 - Rms value of the fundamental current component
Isc - Short circuit current
- Load current
 LIST OF APPENDICES

APPENDIX TITLE PAGE

A Harmonics voltage from power quality analyzer 41

B Harmonics current from power quality analyzer 48
C Comparison for harmonics voltage in a week by using 55
Visual Basic Web Developer
D Comparison for harmonics current in a week by using 57
Visual Basic Web Developer
E Power Quality Analyzer which equipped at substation board 59
F Main menu for Visual Basic Web Developer 61
G Coding to run the Visual Basic software 62
 CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Project Background

The term „power quality‟ has become more and more popular in the power industry since the late
1980s, and now both electric utilities and end users of electrical power are beginning to take power quality
into account. This is due to the fact that equipment used nowadays is more sensitive to voltage variations
and failure to operate can cause massive losses, financially and time. There have been many debates
between both utilities and customers on whether which party is the source of the problem but in reality,
both sides have a fair share of blame. Nevertheless, power quality disturbances affect the customer side
more and this has spurred massive concern thought out the world.

1.2 Objective

The objectives for this project are stated below:

i. To obtain power quality indices and check against International
Standard.
ii. To study general causes and effect of power quality problems.
iii. To discuss measurement issues.
iv. To develop GUI using Visual Basic software.

1.3 Scope of the Project

Data has been collected at Substation Board in FKEE lab by using power quality analyzer. The
harmonic data that we get will be transferred to the computer by using Flukeview software. After that,
harmonic voltage and current has been compared against International Standard which focused on AS
61000.3.6 and IEEE Std 519-1992. Finally, all the comparison data will be display in Visual Basic 2005,
(Microsoft Web Developer).
1.4 Literature Review

Another power quality analysis was done by Lee K.J Gordon in Western Power Network which all
the data is provided by Western Powers. It‟s done in some residential, commercial and industrial areas
within the Western Power network were monitored. Disturbances like transients, short duration voltage
variations (sags and swells), voltage unbalance and harmonics were monitored. The normal rms voltage
and current trends were also investigated. It consisted of data from residential, commercial and industrial
areas in between 1999 to 2004. These data was recorded through a data logger placed in these particular
sites in order to record the normal trend and also variations in power within that particular area. From the
equipment, the data was exported into particular demo software whereby the normal trend and disturbances
can be viewed in the form of waveforms. From there, measurements were conducted through the cursors
and importance readings were obtained. [1]

Most sites were monitored for about a week although there were some which exceeded to a month.
It must be noted that not all sites were being monitored for all types of disturbances. Some sites were
monitored for normal voltage and current trends only, whereas others may be monitored for all types of
disturbances. The measuring equipment can be configured to monitor the particular trend or disturbances as
required. The parameters being monitored depends on the objectives of monitoring the particular area.
Most analytical works were conducted through the help of the software. Some of the plots that could be
obtained from the software were the rms sag disturbance, rms swell disturbance, impulse disturbance, wave
shape disturbance, snapshot waveform, rms strip chart, and harmonic trend. So, three sites were analyzed in
term of the harmonic component and the total harmonic distortion. In this section, two residential areas,
five commercial areas and 5 industrial areas will be looked into. It must be noted that not all the five
commercial and industrial areas covered here are similar to that in the previous section. However, the
residential areas remain the same. This is because not all sites are being monitored for all disturbances, and
some sites from the previous section do not have harmonic readings. Therefore, additional commercial and
industrial sites were monitored for harmonics. [1]

Harmonics for residential areas were checked against AS 61000.3.2 (Class A) for the harmonic
currents only as there were no harmonic voltage limits present. Furthermore, this standard does not have
any total harmonic distortion limit. Therefore, the IEEE 519 Std. was used to cross check all the total
harmonic distortion for residential areas. As for commercial and industrial areas, the current was checked
against IEEE 519.Std. as well whereas the voltage was monitored with AS 61000.3.6.Comparison was
conducted on odd and even harmonic current and harmonic voltage components. [1]
1.5 Thesis Outline

Chapter 1 discuss about the literature view, objective and scope of the project. Otherwise these
chapters discuss more about the application and the goal of power quality analysis.

Chapters 2 discuss more details about the interest in power quality and problems from poor power
quality. Beside that, the overview, sources, effects and mitigation of harmonic also discuss on this chapter.
The understand concept of power quality analysis is very important before start the project.

In Chapter 3, focuses on methodologies for determine the harmonic data. There is a device to
measure the harmonic distortion and the software that will use to display the data. In addition, the flow
chart about the main process of analysis will be discussing more details in this chapter. Software Visual
Basic 2005 (Microsoft Web Developer) also discuss with details in this chapter.

Chapter 4 discusses on the results obtain of the whole project. The harmonic voltage and current
will be comparing against International Standards. All the analysis and result is valuable for future
application.

In the last chapter, conclusions for this project have been elaborated with details. The future
recommendation required on this project is stated in this chapter for further development.
 CHAPTER 2

POWER QUALITY

2.1 Introduction

This chapter will discuss in details about power quality problems, introduction to harmonics,
sources and effect of harmonics. Many power quality problems are easily identified once a good
description of the problems is obtained. Unfortunately, the tensions caused by power problems often result
in vague or overly dramatic descriptions of the problem. When power problems happen, try to note the
exact time of the occurrences, its effect on electrical equipment, and any recently installed equipment that
could have introduced problems to the system.

2.2 Insight to the term of power quality

Power quality covers a wide range of problems and many definitions have been made. There are
definitions from IEEE and IEC which can be considered. From the IEEE dictionary, which originates in
IEEE Standard 1100, power quality is defined to as „The concept of powering and grounding sensitive
equipment in a matter that is suitable to the operation of that equipment‟. As for IEC, the term
„electromagnetic compatibility‟ is used instead, which is not the same as „power quality‟ but there is a
strong overlap between the two terms. The definition is given in IEC 61000-1-1 as: „Electromagnetic
compatibility is the ability of an equipment or system to function satisfactorily in its electromagnetic
environment without introducing intolerable electromagnetic disturbances to anything in that environment‟.

However, there have been many arguments with the use of the term „power quality‟ and what it
incorporates, but many have come to accept that it has become a very important aspect of power delivery.
Since power quality is very much of a customer-driven issue and the customer‟s point of reference take
precedence, one can define power quality as „Any power problem manifested in voltage, current, or
frequency deviations that result in failure or disoperation of customer equipment‟ (Dugan, McGranaghan &
Beaty, 1996).
 The dispute has always arisen between the utilities and the customers, both having their own
interpretation and both blaming opposite parties as source of problems. The utilities may see power quality
as reliability whereas manufacturers of load equipment (customer) may define power quality as the ability
to have good characteristics of power supply in order for the equipment to run smoothly. It should not be an
issue who the blame should be on but more to analyzing and identifying the problem, and eventually
investing in economical means to stamp out the problems.

2.3 Interest in power quality

Ironically, these disturbances or problems have already existed for decades but little was done then
to eradicate the problems compared to the present time. Things change as time passes, and many are
looking from the perspectives of finance, economy and technology when dealing with electrical supply. As
more researches and education are conducted on this issue, more end users are made aware of the problems
faced in power quality and many are starting to challenge utility companies to improve the quality of power
being delivered. From there, the concern for better power quality is brought up. Nowadays, load equipment
is more sensitive to power quality variations than equipment from the past. There are a large number of
load devices that contain microprocessor-based control and power electronic devices that are sensitive to
many types of disturbances, especially to voltage disturbances. Semi-conductor industries for example,
have equipments which will be affected by the slightest change in voltage drop in duration of a few
hundred milliseconds, and with that the whole plant may possibly be out of operation for a few hours to
allow time for a slow start of the equipments. Furthermore, these sensitive equipments are widely used
nowadays, thus causing even more problem in the quality of power. Poor power quality can lead to losses
in terms of time and finance. Furthermore, the emphasis on efficiency of the power systems, have lead to
the introduction of high-efficiency adjustable-speed motor drives and shunt capacitors for power factor
correction (in order to reduce losses). These equipments are also introducing harmonics into the system and
this occurrence has impact on system capabilities.

2.4 Problems from poor power quality

There are many problems to consider when talking about poor power quality and a few major ones
will be discussed in this section to start off. Some wish to categorize poor power quality into two major
types, that is disturbances and steady state variations, whereby disturbances includes transients, sags, swells
and interruptions while steady state includes voltage regulation, harmonic and flicker. There are others who
categorize power quality problems into transients, short-duration variations, long-duration variations,
voltage unbalance, waveform distortion, voltage fluctuations and power frequency variations. For a rough
overview, Table 2.0 (FLUKE VR101s User Manual, 1997) shows some of the major problems of power
quality, its causes and likely effects.

Table 2.0: Causes and effects of poor power quality

Problem Causes Effects
Swells Shutdown of heavily Discomfort from
loaded equipment flickering lights
Abrupt power Computer damage
restoration Degradation of power
Utility switching protection equipment
Sags Abrupt increase in load Equipment shutdown
Dropouts/outages Power-down circuitry in
Lightning power supply operates
Outdoor contact with incorrectly
transmission lines Computer lock-ups
Ground faults Diminished speed of
Equipment failures disk drives (data error)
Transients Switching load on and Electronic damage
off (through bypassing
Utility switching protection circuitry)
Lightning Insulation breakdown in
Normal computer transformers and motors
operations Data errors
Fault clearing Data loss
Power factor correction
capacitors
Frequency Variations Major load increases Incorrect clock timing
Utility switching Writing errors in any
electronic wiring
devices (magnetic tapes,
disk drives)
2.5 Introduction to Harmonics

Harmonics has linear been more of an issue nowadays due to the increased usage of nonlinear-
loads which are the cause of harmonics. The non-linear loads here refer to loads which current is not
proportional to the applied voltage. Figure 2.0 shows a comparison of linear and non linear load voltage-
current characteristic. It must be noted that different non-linear loads will have different slight voltage-
current characteristics. Sometimes a slight increase in voltage can cause the current to double.

Figure 2.0: Comparison of linear and non-linear VI characteristic

Any periodic, distorted waveform can be expressed as a sum of pure sine waves in which the frequency of
each sinusoid is an integer multiple of the fundamental frequency (50Hz for Australia). This multiple is
called harmonic of the fundamental. Harmonic are normally analyzed up to the 40th multiple or component
but the few odd, earlier harmonic components (3rd, 5th, 7th) are the ones that have significant effect on the
system. What differentiate a distorted harmonic waveform and any waveform distortion is that those caused
by harmonics are periodic and can be split into harmonics components.

2.6 Voltage and current distortion

Nonlinear loads are the sources of harmonic current causing distorted current waveforms. Voltage
distortion is the result of distorted currents passing through the linear, series impedance of the power
delivery system. Therefore, it is always the current distortion that results in voltage distortion.
Nevertheless, it must be noted that loads have distortion no control over the voltage distortion. The same
load in two different locations on the power system will result in two different voltage distortion values.
2.6.1 Even Harmonics

Even harmonics (2nd, 4th, and 6th ) are less likely to occur at levels detrimental to electrical
systems. This is because non-linear loads normally generate odd harmonics rather than even harmonics.
Furthermore, when both the positive and negative half cycles of a waveform are similar in shape, the
Fourier series contain only odd harmonics.

2.6.2 Odd Harmonics

Odd harmonics (3rd, 5th, and 7th ) are more common in power systems and are the ones which lead
to severe consequences if they are not controlled. Each odd harmonic is associated with one of the
sequence component (positive, negative or zero). The phase sequence is very important because it
determines the effect of the harmonic on the operation of the electrical equipment. Table 2.1 shows the
harmonics with their associated phase sequence.

Table 2.1: Harmonics and their corresponding sequence component

Harmonics Sequence Component

1 Positive

3 Zero

5 Negative

7 Positive

11 Zero

13 Negative

15 Positive

17 Zero

19 Negative

Etc

Positive sequence harmonics (1st, 7th, 13th, and 19th) consist of three phasors, each equal in magnitude
and are displaced from each other by 120 degrees. They have the same phase sequence as phasors
representing the nominal current or voltage. The presence of these harmonic can accelerate a motor which
may cause them to overwork.

Negative sequence harmonics (5th ,11th ,17th ) also consist of three phasors with equal magnitude and are
separated from each other by a 120 degree phase displacement. Nevertheless, they have phase sequence
opposite to phasors representing the nominal current or voltage. These negative sequence components can
create a torque in the negative direction of rotation of the motor causing it to decelerate.

Zero sequence harmonics ( 3rd, 9th ,15th ) are the worst of the lot and are often referred to as triplen
harmonics. They consist of three phasors of equal magnitude but have zero phase displacement from each
other. Since they are in the same direction, they result in amplitude that is three times any of the phasors
when combined in the neutral wire of causing overheating. Furthermore, zero sequence current can also an
electrical system drive the magnetic circuit into saturation thus making the particular equipment more non-
linear.

2.7 Sources

Common non-linear loads include motor starters, variable speed drives, computers and other
electronic devices, electronic lighting, welding supplies and uninterrupted power supplies. The effects of
harmonics can be overheating of transformers, cables, motors, generators and capacitors connected to the
same power supply with the devices generating the harmonics. Electronic displays and lighting may flicker,
circuit breakers can trip, computers may fail and metering can give false readings.

2.7.1 Saturable devices

Saturation devices like transformers, rotating machines and non-linear reactors are common
harmonic producing devices. They are also referred to as ferromagnetic devices. These devices produce
harmonic because the magnetizing reactance is not linear. Harmonic produced by these devices can be
minimized if it operates within the linear regions of the magnetizing characteristic curve. (Jong.J, 1991)
Nevertheless, especially for transformers, due to economical reasons, they are operated near the knee point
of the curve where significant harmonic is generated since that region is non-linear. The 3rd harmonic is
most produced by this type of devices and there is a substantial amount of 5 th and 7th harmonic as well.
2.7.2 Arcing devices
 Although as a single device, they do not contribute much to harmonics, arcing devices normally
come in large quantities and they constitute a large portion of industrial and commercial loads. Among the
common are arc furnaces, arc welders, arc lighting and fluorescent lighting. All arching devices have the
same basic configuration – a voltage clamp in series with a reactance that holds the current constant. The
voltage will build across the gap until the gases between the gap ionize and become conductive, preventing
a further increase in voltage across the gap. The voltage-current characteristic of electric arcs is non-linear.
Following arc ignition, the voltage decreases as the arc current increases. This gives the arc the appearance
of having a negative resistance for a portion of its operating cycle.(Jong.J, 1991).

2.7.3 Power Electronics

Electronic devices connected directly to the power supply system have an electronic power
converter that produce harmonics. In residential areas, loads like microwave oven, televisions, VCRs and
personal computers are sources of harmonic thanks to power electronics. As for industrial areas, loads that
cause harmonics include variable speed motor drives, high power rectifiers and large thyristor-controlled
loads. The electronic power converters in these electronic devices range from a simple bridge rectifier to a
complex switching converter. For households, the common converter used the single-phase full wave
rectifier. A large number of electronic converters are line commutated like Switch Mode Power Suppliers
(SMPS). They contribute to a large 3rd harmonic in the neutral. Three phase converters are normally
applied in industrial areas and the six pulse or twelve pulse rectifiers are most commonly encountered in
these areas.

2.8 Effects

Harmonics can cause a variety of effects and some of its effects on electrical loads have been
discussed in this section. (Pratical Guide to Quality Power, 1997). The effects are likely to show up in the
customer's plant before they show on the utility system.

\
2.8.1 Motors