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Lab Report 5
Lab Report 5
(603)
I hereby declare that the report presents entirely my own work and have not copied
from any other student or past student.
∑U
n=2
2
n
THD = *100
U1
Where U1 is the fundamental component of the signal and U1 to Un are the harmonic
components.
Power quality measurements were taken for the following three-phase load
configurations:
Apparatus:
Question 1:
Why the balanced 3 phase load current contains harmonics?
Harmonic is a component frequency of a harmonic motion of an electro
magnetic wave that is an integral multiple of the fundamental frequency. The
balanced 3 phase load current contains harmonics due to the presence of non-linear
load. A load is considered non-linear if its current is not proportional to the applied
voltage and its impedance changes with the applied voltage. The changing impedance
means that the current drawn by the non-linear load will not be sinusoidal even when
it is connected to a sinusoidal voltage. These non-sinusoidal currents contain
harmonic currents that interact with the impedance of the power distribution system to
create voltage distortion that can affect both the distribution system equipment and the
loads connected to it.
This may go even to interesting “engineering wonders” such as DC load
creating sine wave current due to non linear loads.
Question 2:
Comment on the neutral wire current in all above cases?
The harmonics in the neutral wire is at the highest when using the unbalanced
nonlinear and linear loads. For a balanced nonlinear load, the harmonics are lower and
are usually caused by third harmonics. However, for a balanced and unbalanced linear
loads, the harmonics are almost non-existent. This is mainly because linear loads do
not absorb harmonic currents from the supplied voltage.
Question 3:
Why excessive neutral current is not desirable in power distribution system?
Question 4:
Write down sources of harmonics in power supply system.
Computers, Laser printers, Copy machines, Monitors, Battery chargers, Fluorescent
lighting ballasts, Rectifies, Welding units, Variable speed drives, Hair dryer, Washing
machines, (etc)….
Conclusions:
We live in time that rapidly developed helping hands which are usually
electronic non linear loads. These loads create dangerous states in our network which
can lead toward increased failures of electrical network caused by overload of
transformers and generators that are influenced by those non linear loads.
Unfortunately legislation and consumer education do not follow development
of technologies and we are nearing point where current network will not be able to
respond to new challenges made by such state. One of things to consider is immediate
implementation of filters for higher harmonics where even cheap passive ones would
help in preserving electro energetic system. Also greater care should be taken to
generously size conductors so they can cope with new demands. Today we have
working currents even in neutral conductors and that can lead to increased faults and
damage to electrical equipment due to over voltage and fluctuating currents. Also
greater care should be given to education even persons that should be skilled in this
and those are electricians with licence.
Recent example from private life: I was asked from my friend to determine
what is tripping his circuit barkers with no obvious reason. After inspecting
installation I determined repeatedly connected neutral and earthing connector in main
and secondary switchboard. After fixing system, problem never reappeared. His
system was troubled buy “wondering” currents that were tripping relays. This is all
consequence of increased usage of non linear loads.
References:
[1] Nikola Rajkovic, Analyses of electro energetic systems part I (in Serbian)
Electrotehnical faculty in Belgrade, Serbia
[2] R. C. Dugan, M. F. McGranaghan, S. Santoso, H. W. Beaty, Electrical Power
Systems Quality, McGraw-Hill, USA.
[3] http://www.scribd.com/doc/2655751/Harmonics