Harmonics Overview - Danfoss VLT AutomationDrive FC 361 Series Design Manual

Electrical Installation Con...

7.15 Harmonics Overview

Non-linear loads such as those found with drives do not
draw current uniformly from the power line. This non-
sinusoidal current has components which are multiples of
the basic current frequency. These components are
referred to as harmonics. It is important to control the total
harmonic distortion on the mains supply. Although the
harmonic currents do not directly affect electrical energy
consumption, they generate heat in wiring and
transformers that can affect other devices on the same
power line.
7.15.1 Harmonic Analysis
Since harmonics increase heat losses, it is important to
design systems with harmonics in mind to prevent
overloading the transformer, inductors, and wiring. When
necessary, perform an analysis of the system harmonics to
determine equipment effects.
A non-sinusoidal current is transformed with a Fourier
series analysis into sine-wave currents at different
frequencies, that is, different harmonic currents I
50 Hz or 60 Hz as the basic frequency.
Abbreviation Description
f Basic frequency (50 Hz or 60 Hz)
1
I Current at the basic frequency
1
U Voltage at the basic frequency
1
I
Current at the n
n
U
Voltage at the n
n
n Harmonic order
Table 7.18 Harmonics-related Abbreviations
Basic
current (I )
1
Current I
1
Frequency 50 Hz 250 Hz
Table 7.19 Basic Currents and Harmonic Currents
Current Harmonic current
I
RMS
Input current 1.0
Table 7.20 Harmonic Currents vs. RMS Input Current
The voltage distortion on the mains supply voltage
depends on the size of the harmonic currents multiplied
by the mains impedance for the frequency in question. The
total voltage distortion (THDi) is calculated based on the
individual voltage harmonics using this formula:
MG06K102
Design Guide
with
N
th harmonic frequency
th
harmonic frequency
Harmonic current (I )
n
I I I
5 7 11
350 Hz 550 Hz
I I I I
1 5 7 11-49
0.9 0.5 0.2 <0.1
Danfoss A/S © 03/2019 All rights reserved.
U25 + U27 + ... + U2n
THDi =
U
7.15.2 Effect of Harmonics in a Power
Distribution System
In Illustration 7.19, a transformer is connected on the
primary side to a point of common coupling PCC1, on the
medium voltage supply. The transformer has an impedance
Z and feeds several loads. The point of common coupling
xfr
where all loads are connected is PCC2. Each load connects
through cables that have an impedance Z
PCC Point of common coupling
MV Medium voltage
LV Low voltage
Z Transformer impedance
xfr
Z Modeling resistance and inductance in the wiring
#
Illustration 7.19 Small Distribution System
Harmonic currents drawn by non-linear loads cause
distortion of the voltage because of the voltage drop on
the impedances of the distribution system. Higher
impedances result in higher levels of voltage distortion.
Current distortion relates to apparatus performance and it
relates to the individual load. Voltage distortion relates to
system performance. It is not possible to determine the
voltage distortion in the PCC knowing only the harmonic
performance of the load. To predict the distortion in the
PCC, the configuration of the distribution system and
relevant impedances must be known.
, Z , Z .
1 2 3
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