In today’s living era, power plays an important role in our life. Most of the things which we used in our daily life are somewhere connected to power. To supply the power economically and safely, we need to use ideal power systems.
Several problems occurred in the power systems due to the presence of harmonics, which are increases the RMS of the current flow in the circuit and thereby increases the loss. The harmonics can affect the whole distribution system down to the loads.
Harmonics can also damage the sensitive equipment and appliance which are available in your commercial and industrial facility.
Malfunction of the harmonics is not only felted immediately sometimes its presence felts after long terms and it is difficult to distinguish from the natural aging of the appliance.
What is Harmonic Distortion?
The harmonic problems are narrow, in the case which they do appear may lead you to the reduction in power system reliability.
Harmonics are the electric current and voltage in the power systems which creates problems in the power systems. Having high harmonics in the power systems can cause malfunction or damage to electrical equipment.
Harmonics is the distortion of the current waveform, which is generally caused by a non-linear load in the electrical system. Personal computers, variable speed motor, driven motor, fax machines, laser printer, Switch-mode power supplies (SMPS), batteries, and UPSs are examples of non-linear loads and formed harmonic in the power systems.
Why Harmonic Analysis Necessary?
Harmonic degrades the level of power quality and efficiency of power systems. Harmonic analysis helps you detect harmonics present in the power system and improves your power system reliability.
The increasing use of modern power electronics equipment produces non-linear currents, and thus the formation of harmonics occurred due to loads present in the systems. Devices and equipment need to be energy efficient and follow the power-saving principles.
When did Harmonics Analysis Need to be Performed?
- If the measures of the load surpassed 25% of their total loads or bus systems, circuits need to verify the harmonic limits.
- To solve harmonic-related problems such as malfunction or damage of equipment.
- When the plant is going to be extended and planning for inserting the number of non-linear loads.
- Harmonics analysis needs to perform when the additional capacitor bank connects to the electrical systems.
Type of Equipment | Harmonic effect. |
Rotating machines | Increase power loss, overheating, increasing pulsating torque and cable resistance. |
Transformer, Switchgear and power cables | Power losses, overheating, increase consumption, neutral overloading |
Power capacitors | Failure due to high current |
Power electronics | Mal-operation, failures |
Protective relays | Mal-operation, nuisance tripping |
The harmonic production occurs whenever the sinusoidal waveform passes through the non-linear load it produces distortion and creates harmonics in the system. Harmonic analysis is the normal requirement when it is required to detect harmonics presence in the system.
Benefits of Harmonics Mitigations in Power System:
- Reduce operation expenses: Harmonic analysis helps you to mitigate the power losses of transformers, switch gears (protective devices), and cables. It also helps in reducing losses in the power systems.
- Capital expenditure decreases: It mitigates the RMS current in the power system and helps to eliminate the oversize of transformer and hence cable, switchgear, and busbars.
- Business performance: After reducing losses and decreasing the RMS current value, it automatically increased the performance. Harmonics is responsible for an increased number of losses, current RMS value, and overheating of cables, transformers, motors, capacitors. The consequences are not going to be good and can cause you financial loss to a process interruption.
Steps to Performing Power Quality Analysis:
- Obtain the one-line diagram and highlights the non-linear loads.
- Focus on the place of common coupling (PCC).
- Highlights the in-plants buses which might be affected due to harmonics.
- Gather all the data related to non-linear loads and the utility company’s previous performance of harmonics.
- Mock-up using the performance of the electrical system with ETAP software.
- Perform the harmonic study and analysis and verify voltage and current distortion level.
- If the harmonics distortion surpasses the permitted level, then choose a mitigation technique.
- Re-perform the harmonic analysis, after adding the mitigation technique to ensure compliance with CEC.
Care Labs offers technicians who are well equipped with modern equipment and ensure the safety of your electrical equipment as well as gave you a reliable operating condition.
Contact Care Labs to know more about harmonic study and analysis services and get a quote today.
