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311 Interharmonics
311 Interharmonics
311 Interharmonics
Harmonics
Interharmonics
3.1.1
Current (A)
Frequency (Hz)
Harmonics
Harmonics
Interharmonics
Zbigniew Hanzelka & Andrzej Bien AGH University of Science and Technology July 2004
This Guide has been produced as part of the Leonardo Power Quality Initiative (LPQI), a European education and training programme supported by the European Commission (under the Leonardo da Vinci Programme) and International Copper Association. For further information on LPQI visit www.lpqi.org. Copper Development Association (CDA) Copper Development Association is a non-trading organisation sponsored by the copper producers and fabricators to encourage the use of copper and copper alloys and to promote their correct and efficient application. Its services, which include the provision of technical advice and information, are available to those interested in the utilisation of copper in all its aspects. The Association also provides a link between research and the user industries and maintains close contact with the other copper development organisations throughout the world. CDA is an IEE endorsed provider of seminar training and learning resources. European Copper Institute (ECI) The European Copper Institute is a joint venture between ICA (International Copper Association) and the European fabricating industry. Through its membership, ECI acts on behalf of the worlds largest copper producers and Europes leading fabricators to promote copper in Europe. Formed in January 1996, ECI is supported by a network of eleven Copper Development Associations (CDAs) in Benelux, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Russia, Scandinavia, Spain and the UK. Disclaimer The content of this project does not necessarily reflect the position of the European Community, nor does it involve any responsibility on the part of the European Community. European Copper Institute, AGH University of Science and Technology and Copper Development Association disclaim liability for any direct, indirect, consequential or incidental damages that may result from the use of the information, or from the inability to use the information or data contained within this publication.
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LEM Instruments
Harmonics
Interharmonics
Introduction
Harmonics are voltages or currents with a frequency that is an integral multiple of the fundamental supply frequency. Interharmonics are voltages or currents with a frequency that is a non-integral multiple of the fundamental supply frequency. The knowledge of electromagnetic disturbance associated interharmonics is still developing and currently there is a great deal of interest in this phenomenon. Interharmonics, always present in the power system, have recently become of more importance since the widespread use of power electronic systems results in an increase of their magnitude.
Definitions
Harmonics and interharmonics of an analysed waveform are defined in terms of the spectral components in a quasi-steady state over a defined range of frequencies. Table 1 provides their mathematical definitions. The term subharmonic does not have any official definition - it is a particular case of interharmonic of a frequency less than the fundamental frequency. However, the term has appeared in numerous references and is in general use in the professional community.
Harmonic DC component Interharmonic Subharmonic f = nf1 where n is an integer greater than zero f = nf1 for n = 0 f nf1 where n is an integer greater than zero f > 0 Hz and f < f1
IEC 61000-2-1 standard defines interharmonics as follows: Between the harmonics of the power frequency voltage and current, further frequencies can be observed which are not an integer of the fundamental. They can appear as discrete frequencies or as a wide-band spectrum. For the purpose of further considerations the following detailed definitions apply:
Interharmonic frequency
Any frequency which is a non-integer multiple of the fundamental frequency. By analogy to the order of a harmonic, the order of interharmonic is given by the ratio of the interharmonic frequency to the fundamental frequency. If its value is less than unity, the frequency is also referred to as a subharmonic frequency. According to the IEC recommendation, the order of interharmonic is denoted by the letter m (according to IEC 61000-2-2).
Voltage interharmonic (similarly for current)
A sinusoidal voltage of a frequency between the harmonics, i.e. a frequency which is not an integer of the fundamental component frequency.
Sources
There are two basic mechanisms for the generation of interharmonics. The first is the generation of components in the sidebands of the supply voltage frequency and its harmonics as a result of changes in their magnitudes and/or phase angles. These are caused by rapid changes of current in equipment and installations, which can also be a source of voltage fluctuations. Disturbances are generated by loads operating in a transient state, either continuously or temporarily, or, in many more cases, when an amplitude modulation of currents and voltages occurs. These disturbances are of largely random nature, depending on the load changes inherent in the processes and equipment in use.
1
Interharmonics
The second mechanism is the asynchronous switching (i.e. not synchronised with the power system frequency) of semiconductor devices in static converters. Typical examples are cycloconverters and pulse width modulation (PWM) converters. Interharmonics generated by them may be located anywhere in the spectrum with respect to the power supply voltage harmonics. In many kinds of equipment both mechanisms take place at the same time. Interharmonics may be generated at any voltage level and are transferred between levels, i.e. interharmonics generated in HV and MV systems are injected into the LV system and vice versa. Their magnitude seldom exceeds 0.5% of the voltage fundamental harmonic, although higher levels can occur under resonance conditions. Basic sources of this disturbance include: