Electrical Harmonics: What Students Do

ESSIP: Electrical Harmonics Lesson Plan Page 1 of 8
Electrical Harmonics
Lesson Plan
Teacher Background
Figures
Worksheet
Concept Statements:
Energy efficient lights use less
Materials: electricity than standard lights.

Harmonics are frequencies that
Light bulb setup
Multimeter with probes
are multiples of 60 Hertz.
Oscilloscope with probes
(Such as 120, 180, 240, etc.)
Harmonics are harmful to
electric distribution systems
and to sensitive electronics.
What Students Do
1. Students analyze an incandescent light bulb.
Turn on the incandescent light bulb.

Measure the voltage across the resistor and the current through the resistor.
Multiply the voltage by the current to get the power.
Observe and sketch the waveform from the oscilloscope.
2. Students analyze an energy efficient light bulb.
Turn off the incandescent light bulb and turn on the first energy efficient light bulb.
3. Students analyze another energy efficient light bulb.
Turn off the first energy efficient light bulb and turn on the second energy efficient light bulb.
Teacher Background
http://smtc.uwyo.edu/ess/Planbook/harmplan.html 3/5/2008
What are Harmonics?
The fundamental or basic power frequency is 60 Hertz (Hz) or 60 cycles per second. This means the
waveform of the electricity repeats itself 60 times every second. A pure AC sine wave is ideal, such
as shown in figure 1-a, and is obtained if the load is an incandescent light bulb or a resistive heater.
In a three phase system, three sine waves are generated 120 degrees apart, as shown in figure 1-b.
Harmonic frequencies are multiples of the fundamental frequency. For example:
Harmonic Frequency: 3rd harmonic 3 x 60 = 180 Hz

5th harmonic 5 x 60 = 300 Hz
•
•
•
•
etc.
Any distorted voltage or current wave is the sum of the fundamental frequency and a number of the
above harmonics. Figure 2-a shows the fundamental and the third harmonic. Figure 2-b demonstrates
the addition of the harmonic and the fundamental frequency. When three phases are added together,
the fundamental will always be zero but the third harmonic from each phase will add, thereby
tripling in amplitude as shown in figure 2-c.
Harmonics are harmful to the electrical distribution systems. For example:
1) Circuit breakers are falsely tripped, and errors in meter readings occur.
2) Protective relay circuit timing goes off the mark.
3) Capacitors are damaged, or act as a short circuit at the high harmonic frequencies.
4) Resistive losses are increased, therefore lowering the efficiency of the compact
fluorescent.
5) Difficulties also occur because the neutral conductor in a balanced three phase system
is designed to carry zero current, yet the harmonics added to the system produce current
in the neutral conductor. Because the neutral conductor is not designed to carry
harmonic currents it gets over heated and causes damage to the insulation. Large
buildings and systems with cables in conduits have had fires due to the harmonic
currents in the neutral line.
6) Telephone interference can be caused by noise generated from higher frequency

harmonic currents.
Some common sources of harmonics are:
Adjustable Speed Drives / Variable Speed Drives for running motors
Transformers
Electric Machines
Compact Fluorescent Lamps
Arc Furnaces
Conclusion
Any distortions in the voltage or current wave causes harmonics. Any noise picked up by the voltage
or current wave also causes harmonics. Switching and transients in the distribution system causes
harmonics. Energy-efficient devices like light dimmers usually cause harmonics. Adjustable Speed
Drives (ASDs) and Variable Seed Drives (VSDs) cause harmonics. Harmonics adversely affects
relay settings, metering, capacitors, telephone lines, etc. It also causes nuisance tripping.
Figures
Figure 3 - Setup for Voltage and Current Measurements
Additional Information:
Students with some trigonometric background should note that the equation P=VI is approximate.
The most accurate equation for power is P=VI(cos ).
See figure 4.
Figure 4 - Current and Voltage Waveforms
Worksheet
1. Incandescent light bulb
Voltage:__________
Current:__________
Power:__________
Sketch waveform:
2. Energy efficient light bulb #1
Voltage:__________
Current:__________
Power:__________
Sketch waveform:
3. Energy efficient light bulb #2
Voltage:__________
Current:__________
Power:__________
Sketch waveform:
Questions
1. Compare the power values of each of the three lights. Which was the least? Which was the
greatest?
2. The values of power you measured are in watts.
A. If electricity costs $0.05 for 1000 watts each hour, how much would it cost you to have 20
incandescent lights on for 24 hours a day for one year?
B. For 20 of the first energy efficient lights for 24 hours a day for one year?
C. For 20 of the second energy efficient lights for 24 hours a day for one year?
3. From question #2:
A. Which is the most expensive light bulb to use?

B. Which is the least expensive?
C. How much do you save in one year if you use the least expensive light bulb rather than the
most expensive?
4. Which light was the brightest?
5. Compare the waveforms of each light.
A. Which light had the smoothest waveform?

B. Which light had the most irregular waveform?

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ESSIP: Electrical Harmonics Lesson Plan Page 1 of 8

Materials: electricity than standard lights.

1. Students analyze an incandescent light bulb.

Turn on the incandescent light bulb.

2. Students analyze an energy efficient light bulb.

3. Students analyze another energy efficient light bulb.

What are Harmonics?

Harmonic frequencies are multiples of the fundamental frequency. For example:

Harmonic Frequency: 3rd harmonic 3 x 60 = 180 Hz

Harmonics are harmful to the electrical distribution systems. For example:

2) Protective relay circuit timing goes off the mark.

6) Telephone interference can be caused by noise generated from higher frequency

Some common sources of harmonics are:

Adjustable Speed Drives / Variable Speed Drives for running motors

Compact Fluorescent Lamps

Figure 3 - Setup for Voltage and Current Measurements

Figure 4 - Current and Voltage Waveforms

1. Incandescent light bulb

2. Energy efficient light bulb #1

3. Energy efficient light bulb #2

2. The values of power you measured are in watts.

3. From question #2:

A. Which is the most expensive light bulb to use?

4. Which light was the brightest?

5. Compare the waveforms of each light.

A. Which light had the smoothest waveform?

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