International Journal of Research in Advent Technology, Vol.2, No.

2, March 2014
E-ISSN: 2321-9637

Harmonic Measurement and Analysis of Variable

Frequency Drive (vfd) in Industry
Prof. Miss. S.S.Mohitkar1, Prof. Mrs. M. H. Dhend2
Electrical Engineering Department1, 2
Universal college of Engineering and Research & ME Student of AISSMS COE, Pune 1, AISSMS COE, Pune 2
Email: [email protected] , [email protected]

Abstract- Utility of non-linear load leads to generation of harmonics in industry which is affecting the power
quality as well as performance of devices like motors and controllers etc. Harmonic Measurement and analysis
to obtain the harmonic content of current and voltage has become vital task in context with increasing power
quality. This paper discusses the effect of harmonics on power system and the need of Identification of power
system signals. Paper also highlights the importance of Harmonic Measurement and Analysis of Power
Quantities. As a real case study the Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) data from industry is taken for analysis of
harmonic contents voltage, current and power and results are discussed.

Keywords— Harmonics, Harmonic Measurement, Power Analysis, VFD.

I. INTRODUCTION
The paper is organized as follows: Section II
In electrical power system the impact of non-linear describes the Effect of Harmonics on power system.
loads has been increasing during the last decades. In Section III A brief summary of Importance and
Presently, power system and power quality have been need for identification of harmonic contents in power
concerned about harmonic pollution generated by system signals for system performance , safety and
modern electronic devices such as adjustable speed power quality monitoring in power system is
drivers, controlled rectifier etc. [1]. In ideal situation, presented. Impact of harmonics on Variable frequency
the electric power in a network is supplied at a drive is presented in Section IV. Section V presents
constant system frequency, and at specified voltage IEEE-519 Recommended harmonic limits. As a real
magnitudes known as the fundamental frequency, case study the VFD drive data from industry taken
however, in practice under different circumstances the and analyzed in section VI. Section VII concludes the
frequency and voltages are deviated from their paper.
designated values. The deviation of a wave form from
its perfect sinusoid is generally expressed in terms of II. EFFECTS OF HARMONCS
harmonics.
Harmonics in power systems is nothing but the Due to the dramatic increase in the usage of nonlinear
existence of signals, superimposed on the loads in industrial applications (mainly regarding
fundamental signal, whose frequencies are integer Variable Frequency Drives or VFDs), the power
numbers of the fundamental frequency. The presence system harmonics problems has increased its
of harmonics in the voltage or current waveform leads significance. This brings a big obstacle against the
to a distorted signal for voltage or current, and the wide application of VFDs. The presence of harmonics
signal becomes non-sinusoidal signal which causes on power system causes voltage and current distortion
malfunctions or damage on load. Harmonic which leads to aging of Electrical appliances and
measurement is one of the well-known aspects of damages to electrical apparatus. The effects of
power quality monitoring and control [3]. To address Harmonics are listed below.
the problem of harmonic measurement in non-
stationary scenarios, a number of signal processing 1. Overheating of Electrical Equipment
techniques have been proposed in recent years such 2. Communication Interference
as, Fast Fourier transform (FFT)[4]-[5] ,application of 3. Resonance
adaptive filters[7]-[9]. SVD [11] [14]. And wavelet 4. Other (Installation of Capacitor Bank)
based technique of [16] .Harmonic measurement and
analysis in power systems is thus a major concern of 1. Overheating of Electrical Equipment
power system administrators as well as engineers.
It is common to refer to heating as I2R losses.
Electrical equipment can be overheated by distorted
load current that cause higher eddy current losses

303
 International Journal of Research in Advent Technology, Vol.2, No.2, March 2014
E-ISSN: 2321-9637

inside the equipment. Skin effect causes harmonic inductance may set up current amplifying resonance.
current to flow uniformly across entire cross-sectional A resonance condition can cause a current waveform
area of the winding conductor of transformer .Other to have zero crossings occur more than once every
results of heating are: half-cycle the presence of harmonics because it is
a) Overheating of generators, motors, transformers, sensing a peak value that does not directly correspond
and power cables that lead to early equipment failures to the rms value of the wave shape. Other
b) Excessive losses consequences are:
c) Overheating of neutral conductors, and other a) Misoperation of electronic equipment
electrical distribution equipment b) Inaccurate meter readings and errors in measuring
d) Capacitor failures, tripping of circuit breakers and equipment.
loss of synchronization on timing circuits. c) Misoperation of protective relays
d) Interference with motor controllers and telephone
2. Communication Interference circuits.

Magnetic (or electrostatic) coupling [between 4. Other (Installation of Capacitor Bank)

electrical power circuits and communication circuits
can cause communication interference. Current The application of capacitors on a power system in
flowing in the power circuit produces a magnetic (or the presence of harmonic generating equipment
electrostatic field that will induce a current (or produce a harmonic resonance condition [18].
voltage) in the nearby conductors of the Capacitive reactance decreases directly with
communication circuit. The amount of interference frequency and inductive reactance increases directly
will depend upon the magnitude of the induced with frequency. At the resonant frequency of any
current (or voltage), frequency [17], and the inductive-capacitive (LC) circuit, the inductive
efficiency of the magnetic (electrostatic) coupling. reactance will equal the capacitive reactance. In actual
Other types of communication interference are electrical systems utilizing power factor correction
a) Reduction of equipment operating reliability and capacitors, both series and parallel resonance or a
service life combination of the two may occur. Occurrence of
b) Induced line noise resonance may cause such problems as
c) Interference to communication systems, and a) Capacitor bank and insulated cable failures
sensitive electronic devices b) Excessive capacitor fuse operation, and
d) Nuisance tripping to protection Relays and plant c) Dielectric breakdown or reactive power overload.
shutdown.
II. NEED OF FAST AND ACCURATE
3. Resonance IDENTIFICATION OF FUNDAMENTAL AND
HARMONIC QUANTITIES
Resonance occurs when a harmonic frequency
produced by a non-linear load closely coincides with a In industrial and commercial power system fast and
power system natural frequency. There are two forms accurate identification of the signal is required for
of resonance which can occur: parallel resonance and evaluation of initial and future system performance. It
series resonance. Parallel resonance occurs when the is also essential to study system reliability and finding
natural frequency of the parallel combination of its ability to grow with production for operating
capacitor banks and the system inductance falls at or requirements. It is also required to ensure whether the
near a harmonic frequency. This can cause substantial system will operate safely, economically, and
amplification of the harmonic current that flows efficiently over the expected life of the system or not
between the capacitors and the system inductance and depending on following:
lead to capacitor fuse blowing or failure or
transformer overheating. Series resonance is a result a) Power Quantities: In a power system, different
of a series combination of inductance and capacitance measures of power quantities such as power
and presents a low impedance path for harmonic frequency 60/50 Hz or fundamental of active,
currents at the natural frequency. The effect of a series reactive, , and apparent powers are defined these three
resonance can be a high voltage distortion level basic quantities are the quintessence of power flow in
between the inductance and capacitance. The electrical networks and should be calculated based on
interaction between capacitive and inductive devices the information embedded in voltage and current
at some harmonic frequency causes unexpectedly signals [19].
large circulating current in some parts of the circuit.
Over voltage and excessive current leads to failure of b) Detection of fundamental frequency: A power
capacitor banks and oil filled cables. Power factor signal when distorted is consists of fundamental and
correction capacitors with cable or apparatus one or more harmonics. Fundamental voltage and

304
 International Journal of Research in Advent Technology, Vol.2, No.2, March 2014
E-ISSN: 2321-9637

current components should be properly detected to get

fundamental power, harmonic and unbalanced III. VARIABLE FREQUENCY DRIVE
quantities in many applications.
Variable frequency drives (VFDs) are widely used in
c) Analysis and power Quality Monitoring: A industry for important loads in their operations [20].
distorted wave consists of 5th and 7th harmonic and VFD has great advantages such as speed control,
several other higher harmonics. In certain complex energy saving and motor's starting current limitation.
condition it consists of interharmonics and sub In spite of advanced technology and improved
harmonics in such cases the energy of the signal at reliability of modem VFDs, they are considered not
each constituting component is required for analysis only as harmonic sources but also interharmonic
and quality monitoring of the system. sources. VFD converts 60 Hz power, for example, to a
new frequency in two stages: the rectifier stage and
A. Importance of Harmonic Measurement the inverter stage. The conversion process
incorporates three functions:
Harmonic measurements are an important part of the a) Rectifier stage: A full-wave, solid-state rectifier
overall investigation for a number of reasons. Most converts three-phase 60 Hz power from a standard or
importantly, the measurements must be used to higher utility supply to either fixed or adjustable DC
characterize the level of harmonic generation for the voltage. The system may include transformers if
existing nonlinear loads as it provide a means for higher supply voltages are used.
verifying the harmonic model. The specific objectives b) Inverter stage: Electronic switches power
of the measurements include: transistors or thyristors - switch the rectified DC on
1. Determine the harmonic generation characteristics and off, and produce a current or voltage waveform at
of the variable - frequency drives. Which can be done the desired new frequency. The amount of distortion
by performing the current measurements a variety of depends on the design of the inverter and filter.
locations within the plant. Three- phase measurements c) Control system: An electronic circuit receives
can made so that characteristic and non - feedback information from the driven motor and
characteristic (triplen) harmonic components can be adjusts the output voltage or frequency to the selected
determined. values. Usually the output voltage is regulated to
2. Determine system response characteristics for produce a constant ratio of voltage to frequency
particular conditions and voltage measurements are (V/Hz). Controllers may incorporate many complex
used in conjunction with the current measurements, control functions
both to characterize the system response for specific
system conditions. These conditions are then be the
basis for verifying the analytical models.
3. Determine the background harmonic voltage and
current levels.

B. Purpose of Harmonic Analysis

Harmonic Analysis/ studies are required in

the following cases:
1.Ensuring system compatibility with the international
standards as IEEE STD 519-1992 in order to meet the
utility company requirements. Fig.1 Variable Frequency Drive
2. Solving a problem arising from a harmonics related
issue (e.g. nuisance tripping of protection devices, A. Harmonics Produced By Variable Frequency
etc). Drive
3. Expansion of an existing electrical system by The pulse number of the rectifier is the determining
adding new harmonic sources (e.g. VFD's). factor in what the characteristic power system
4. The analytical techniques used to analyze the harmonics will be or a particular drive. The harmonics
measured data. There are two domains to analyze the produced by a six-pulse rectifier will be the 5th, 7th,
harmonic contents, the frequency domain and the time llth, 13th, 23rd, 25th, etc. Their magnitudes are
domain. The frequency domain is used when the roughly the inverse of the harmonic order times the
purpose of the study is checking the compatibility magnitude of the fundamental (e.g., the 5th harmonic
with the international standards. The time domain is is about one fifth of the fundamental current). A
used when a better understanding of the system wave twelve-pulse drive will exhibit harmonics at the llth,
shape and characteristics is required. 13th, 23rd, 25th, etc. Twelve-pulse drives will
5. The presentation of the analyzed data. produce small amounts of 5th, 7th, 17th, and 19th
harmonics (typically on the order of 10% of the levels

305
 International Journal of Research in Advent Technology, Vol.2, No.2, March 2014
E-ISSN: 2321-9637

for a six-pulse drive).

a) b)

Fig.2 Variable Frequency Drive a) line and b) load side waveform

B. Applications

Variable speed drives are used for two main reasons: To improve the efficiency of motor-driven equipment by m

b) To allow accurate and continuous process

control over a wide range of speeds.

IV. IEEE-519 EVALUATION OF HARMONIC linear loads, such as adjustable speed drives and
DISTORTION AND RECOMMENDED uninterruptible power supplies. The standard also
HARMONIC LIMIT discusses power system response characteristics, the
effects of harmonics, methods for harmonic control,
To minimize the impact of facility harmonic and provides recommended limits for harmonic
distortion on utility power system and neighboring current and voltage distortions.The following chart
facilities, IEEE standard was developed in 1982 and indicates the limits for harmonic current distortion
updated in 1992.[22] IEEE 519 standard propose imposed by this standard. The limits are based up on
limits of current harmonic injection from end user / ratio of available short circuits current (Isc) at PCC to
customer to supply grid so that voltage harmonic maximum demand load current (IL) The analysis is
levels on overall power system remains within generally performed at the point of where facility
acceptable limit.[26] The practices are used for power is connected to utility power system. This point
guidance in the design of power systems with non- generally called as PCC.
A. Current Distortion limits.
Table. I Current Distortion limits.

306
 International Journal of Research in Advent Technology, Vol.2, No.2, March 2014
E-ISSN: 2321-9637

Maximum Harmonic current distortion (Ih) in % of IL for Vn<69KV

Isc/IL h<11 11 ≤h<17 17 ≤h23 23 ≤h<35 TDD

<20 4 2 1.5 0.6 5%

20<50 7 3.5 2.5 1 8%

50<100 10 4.5 4 1.5 12%

100<1000 12 5.5 5 2 15%

1000 UP 15 7 6 2.5 20%

B. Voltage Distortion limits

Table. II Voltage Distortion limit

Individual Harmonic Total Voltage Distortion

Bus Voltage at PCC (Vn)
Voltage Distortion (%) THD Vn (%)

Vn <69 KV 3.0 5.0

V. CASESTUDY: Variable frequency Drive

Measurements were carried out at a typical these drives are typically 5th , 7th , 9th , and 11 th . It
Automotive Industry plant which is receiving power is a common practise to install capacitors banks across
<1300 kVA @ 22 kV Voltage level and are served loads for power factor improvement this arrangement
through transformers of 1 & 2 MVA each. Feeding has lead to formation of resonant circuit with
the total load of the plant.. This modern plant is transformer inductance and further increase harmonic
employing large No’s. AC VFD for important loads in levels in the circuit. During power analysis same is
their operations. These drives are typically 6 Pulse. witnessed in following Table III
The predominant harmonic currents generated by

Table III. Summary of Harmonic analysis

Reading at PCC
Parameters With Capacitor ON With Capacitor OFF
Voltage. (V) 22.3 KV 21.92 KV
Current. (I) 24. 39 Amps 33.33 Amps
Active Power (KW) Max. 932 KW 928 KW.
Apparent Power
(KVA)Max 942 KVA 1266 KVA.
THD i % 16.10% 5.30%
THD v % Nil Nil
Predominant Harmonics
5th 3. 66 Amps 1.72 Amps
7th 0. 42 Amps 0.3 4 Amps.

307
 International Journal of Research in Advent Technology, Vol.2, No.2, March 2014
E-ISSN: 2321-9637

VI. CONCLUSION [8] Jun-Zhe Yang, Chi-Shan Yu, and Chih-Wen Liu,
“New Method for Power Signal Harmonic Analysis
IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery, VOL. 20, NO.
This paper presented Harmonic measurement and 2, April 2005.
analysis as one of the well-known aspects of power [9] H. Ma, Girgis A., “Identification and tracking of
quality monitoring and control. From analysis of harmonics sources in a power system using Kalman
harmonics it is observed that Present harmonic levels filter”, IEEE Trans. on Power Delivery, Volume 11,
at PCC are exceeding recommended levels. And 5th No. 3, July 1996.
and 7th order harmonic are amplified due to use of PF [10] Girgis A.A., B. Chang, E.B. Makram, “A digital
improvement capacitors. recursive measurement for on line tracking of power
Also the information collected during an system harmonics”, IEEE Trans. on Power Delivery,
analysis can be useful for many applications. Volume 6, No. 3, July 1991.
1. Check for harmonics after system modifications [11]. McNamara D. M, Ziaran A.K, and Thomas H.
2. Look for harmonics or a tendency for harmonics on Ortmeyer, Fellow, IEEE “A New Technique of
power system. Measurement of Nonstationary Harmonics” IEEE
3. Provides data for harmonic filter design to reduce transactions on power delivery, vol. 22, no. 1, January
harmonics being injected in distribution system 2007.
4.THD level of < 5 % can be achieved by using [12] McNamara D. M., Ziarani A.K., and Thomas H.
properly designed filters under all working loads at Ortmeyer, Fellow, IEEE “A New Technique of
PCC. Measurement of Nonstationary Harmonics” IEEE
5. Develop a database for future studies. transactions on power delivery, vol. 22, no. 1, January
Considerable information beyond a listing of 2007.
harmonics is available from a harmonic measurement [13] Alexandre A. Carniato, Ruben B. Godoy, João
and analysis study. Onofre P. Pinto Kalman Filter and Wavelets
Transform Based Three-Phase Power Quality
REFERENCES Disturbances Detection, Classification and Diagnosis
[1] Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Tool Implementation - Hardware and Software
IEEE Std 1459- 2010: IEEE Standard Definitions for International Conference on Renewable Energies and
the Measurement of Electric Power Quantities Under Power Quality (ICREPQ’09) Valencia (Spain), 15th
Sinusoidal, Non-sinusoidal, Balanced, or Unbalanced to 17th April, 2009.
Conditions, Piscataway, USA, March 2010. [14] S. Adamidis, M. Dendron’s and G. Caravans,
[2] Mansour A. , Chengning Zhang “Measurement of “SVD analysis by synthesis of harmonic signals”,
Power components in Balanced Three Phase Systems IEEE Trans. Signal Processing, vol. 39 no. 2,
under non-sinusoidal operating conditions by using February 1991, pp. 472 - 477.
IEEE Standard 1459-2010 And Fourier Analysis”. [15] Gherasim C., Driesen J., Ronnie Belmans,
[3] Karimi-Ghartemani M. and Iravani M. R. “Real–Time Implementation and Comparison of
“Measurement of harmonics/ inter-harmonics of time- Time–Varying Harmonic Measurement Methods”
varying frequencies,” IEEE Trans. Power Del., vol. IEEE transactions 2006.
20, no. 1, pp. 23–31, Jan. 2005. [16] Ribeiro P., “Wavelet transform: an advanced tool
[4] Ta-Peng T., Rofig-Ching W., and N. Chia-Ching, for analyzing non stationary harmonic distortion in
“The optimization of spectral analysis for signal power systems,” Proceeding IEEE International
harmonics,” IEEE Trans. Power Del., vol. 16, no. 2, Conference on Harmonics in Power Systems, 1994
pp. 149–153, Apr. 2001. [17] Joseph S.Subjak, John S. Mcqilkin “Harmonics -
[5] Fusheng Z., Zhongxing G., and Wei Y., “The Causes, Effects, Measurements, and Analysis: An
algorithm of interpolating windowed FFT for Update” IEEE Transactions on Industry Applications,
harmonic analysis of electric power system,” IEEE Vol. 26. No. 6. Nov/Dec 1990.
Trans. Power Del., vol. 16, no. 2, pp. 160–164, Apr. [18] Robert G. Ellis “Harmonic: Analysis of Industrial
2001. Power Systems” IEEE Transactions on Industry
[6] Hidalgo R. M., J. G. Fernandez, R. R. Rivera, and Applications Vol. 32, No. 2, March/April 1996
Larrondo H. A., “A simple adjustable window [19] Arunakara K.K., Muthu Kumar E. “Field
algorithm to improve FFT measurements,” IEEE Measurement and Analysis of Harmonic Levels”
Trans. Instrum. Meas., vol. 51, no. 1. 31–36, Feb. Central Power Research Institute, Banglore, India,
2002. High Voltage Engineering Symposium. Conference
[7] Newton C. Will, .Cardoso R. “Comparative publication No, 467. D IEE, 22-27 August 1999
analysis between FFT and Kaman Filter Approaches [20] Thavatchai Tayjasanant,, and Wilsun Xu, “A
for Harmonic Components Detection” power Case Study of Flicker/interharmonic Problems Caused
Processing and Analysis Research group, Brazil by a Variable Frequency Drive” IEEE Proceeds. 11th
International Conference on Harmonics and Quality of
Power 2004.

308
 International Journal of Research in Advent Technology, Vol.2, No.2, March 2014
E-ISSN: 2321-9637

[21] Yilmaz Luy, Xiaodong Liang, Member, [24] Mack Grady W., Surya Santoso, Understanding
“Investigation of Input Harmonic Distortions of Power System Harmonics, IEEE Power Engineering
Variable Frequency Drives” IEEE proceeds, 2007. Review, Volume 21, Issue 11, Nov. 2001, Page(s): 8 –
[22] IEEE std. 519-1992, IEEE Recommended 11
Practices and Requirements for Harmonic Control in [25] Ludbrook A., “IEEE Standard 519, its effect on
Electrical Power Systems. equipment manufacturers, users, and utilities,” the
[23] Wilsun Xu, "Status and future directions of Canadian Electricity Forum, Power Quality Power
power system harmonic analysis", IEEE Power Harmonics Forum, Toronto, Canada 1993
Engineering Society General Meeting, Vol.1, Page [26] IEEE Std 519-1992, IEEE Recommended
(s): 756 - 761, 610 June 2004. Practices and Requirements for Harmonic Control in
power. .

309