HARMONICS & WAVEFORM MEASUREMENTS

LOW PASS FILTER & SINE WAVE FILTER FOR A 460V 100HP AC MOTOR WITH VFD
INTRODUCTION
Harmonics are an important PQ issue today. Variable
Frequency Drives (VFD), Uninterruptible Power Systems
(UPS), computers, LED lighting, electronic ballasts,
etc. are widely used in all kinds of facilities. It is well
known that such devices can cause many problems at
end users installations and utility networks, such as:
Voltage distortion, damaged capacitor banks, tripping
breakers, blown fuses, overheating of cables and
transformers, damage to PLCs and sensitive electronic
loads, etc.

DESCRIPTION
Variable Frequency Dives are becoming very popular in
controlling AC motors for industrial and commercial
applications. They provide speed control for processes
such as ventilators, pumps, air compressors, elevators,
etc. at substantial energy savings. However, VFDs
generate significant harmonic currents depending upon
the power electronics technology used (number of
pulses, SCR, thyristors, etc.). In many cases, they
exceed IEEE-519 recommendations and cause some of
the problems mentioned above. Also, Pulse Width
Modulated (PWM) drives can cause additional problems
in AC motors, such as premature bearing wear and
short-circuits in windings due to spikes from
modulation if the motor is not designed for this
condition.

Figure 1: Low Pass Filter and Sine Wave Filter Locations

Four Dranetz PowerXplorer and PowerVisa Power
Quality

analyzers

were

used

to

measure

effectiveness of the filters, monitoring the points

shown in Figure 1 above: Low Pass Filter Input, Low
Pass Filter Output, Sine Wave Filter Input, and Sine
Wave Filter Output.

In many applications, harmonic mitigation techniques

are required, along with proper power monitoring
instrumentation to measure the harmonics spectrum
and waveforms. This can be essential in assuring such
solutions meet customer requirements. Passive filters
have proven their effectiveness at reasonable prices.
This case study is a customer witness and performance
test carried out at the laboratory of a manufacturer of
two passive filters to be supplied.
The test is
conducted with a 460V, 100HP AC motor with a 6-pulse
PWM VFD. One Low Pass Filter (LPF) is installed at the
input of the VFD (load side), and one Sine Wave Filter
(SWF) is installed at the output of the VFD (motor
side).

2012 Dranetz Technologies

www.dranetz.com

the

Figure 2: Test In Progress

Below are waveshapes captured during the test:

800-372-6832 (U.S & Canada)

+1-732-287-3680 (International)

LPF OUTPUT (NO HARMONICS FILTERING)

%THDV Harmonics spectra (2)
(VFD input 460V 100HP AC m otor)

LPF Output voltage waveform (2)

(VFD input 460V 100HP AC m otor)
%

750

500

Vol ts

250

4
0

3
-250

2
-500

1
-750

A-B [S ali da fil tro L PF]V

15:43:35.87
23/06/2011
Thursday

15:43:35.88

15:43:35.89

H05

15:43:35.90

H15
H10

H25

H35

H20

H45

H30

H40

H50

A-B [S ali da fil tro L PF]V Harm (max)

LPF Output current wave form (2)

(VFD input 460V 100HP AC m otor)

%THDI Harm onics spectra (2)

(VFD input 460V 100HP AC m otor)
%

200

70
60

100
Amps

50
0

40
30

-100
20
10

-200

A [S ali da fil tro LPF]I

15:43:35.85
23/06/2011
Thursday

15:43:35.86

15:43:35.87

H05

15:43:35.88

H15
H10

H25
H20

H35
H30

H45
H40

H50

A [S ali da fil tro LPF]IHarm (max)

LPF INPUT (HARMONICS FILTERING)

%THDI Harm onics spectra (1)

LPF input voltage waveform (1)

%
70

750

60
500

50
Vol ts

250

40
0

30
-250

20
-500

10
-750

A-B V
15:20:09.850
23/06/2011
Thursday

15:20:09.860

15:20:09.870

H05

15:20:09.880

H15
H10

H25
H20

H35
H30

H45
H40

H50

A IHarm (ma x)

%THDI Harm onics spectra (1)

LPF input current waveform (1)

%
70
75

60

50

50
Amps

25

40

0
-25

30

-50

20

-75

10

-100

AI
15:20:09.89
23/06/2011
Thursday

15:20:09.90

15:20:09.91

15:20:09.92

15:20:09.93

2012 Dranetz Technologieswww.dranetz.com

H05

H15
H10

H25
H20

H35
H30

H45
H40

H50

A IHarm (ma x)

800-372-6832 (U.S & Canada) +1-732-287-3680 (International)

SWF INPUT (VFD OUTPUT TERMINALS)

SWF OUTPUT (MOTOR TERMINALS)

PWM with SW filter (4)
(Filter output terminals)

PWM without filter (3)

(VFD output terminals)

500

500

250

250
Volts

750

Volts

750

-250

-250

-500

-500

-750

-750

A-B [En trada fil tro S WF]V

15:46:30.82
23/06/2011
Thursday

15:46:30.84

A-B V

15:46:30.86

15:46:30.83 15:46:30.84 15:46:30.85 15:46:30.86 15:46:30.87

23/06/2011
Thursday

CONCLUSIONS:

LPF (low pass filter) reduced VTHD from 6.3% to 1.5% and ITHD from 70% to 6%. Corresponding waveforms
were also improved as well
SWF (Sine wave filter) effectively improved the voltage waveform at the 100HP AC motor terminals (as shown)
Dranetz Power Quality analyzers advanced capabilities were essential in measuring not only at VFD line side,
but also measuring and capturing the PWM waveforms High frequency pulses at VFD output)!
The customer was very satisfied, not only with the filtering results, but with the Dranetz PQ analyzers. He
said: With other manufacturers like Fluke, one PQ instrument and one oscilloscope are required to be able to
perform VFD & filtering tests, which implies more cost about instrumentation.
The filter customer decided to buy one PowerGuide portable instrument from Arteche Inelap, an authorized
Dranetz distributor in Mexico who is fully committed to Dranetz products
DRANETZ HAS PROVEN ONCE AGAIN TO BE THE LEADER IN TECHNOLOGY AND STATE OF THE ART IN THE
PQ BUSINESS!

This case study was submitted by Ing. Leopoldo Martnez Basulto, Dranetz Mxico

2012 Dranetz Technologieswww.dranetz.com

800-372-6832 (U.S & Canada) +1-732-287-3680 (International)