Proceedings of the 15th International Middle East Power Systems Conference (MEPCON’12), Alexandria University,
Egypt, December 23-25, 2012, Paper ID 214.
Technical Comparison of Harmonic Mitigation
Techniques for Industrial Electrical Power Systems
S. F. Mekhamer, A. Y. Abdelaziz
Electrical Power and Machines Department
Faculty of Engineering
Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
Abstract - Power system harmonics cause many problems
like equipment failures, malfunctions and plant shutdowns.
Accordingly, mitigation of these harmonics is considered an
important target especially for the industrial applications where
any short downtime period may lead to great economic losses.
There are at least ten different mitigation techniques to choose
from, each with specific technical advantages and disadvantages.
Comparative studies for the harmonic mitigation techniques in
industrial electrical systems are rarely found in the literature
even though they are strongly needed. This paper, almost for the
first time, provides comprehensive technical comparisons
between the various practical harmonics mitigation techniques in
the industrial electrical systems. This has been carried out with
the aid of our research and experience in the industrial field.
Hence, this paper is considered as a helpful guide for design
engineers, consultants and customers of the industrial sector.
Index Terms - Harmonics, Distortion, Mitigation, Filter,
Variable frequency drives (VFD).
I. INTRODUCTION
Due to the dramatic increase in the applications and usage
of nonlinear loads in the industrial applications (mainly, the
variable frequency drives VFD's), the power system
harmonics problems arise and represent a big obstacle against
the wide application of the VFD's although they enhance
system efficiency and provide great energy saving. The power
system harmonics have many harmful effects including:
- Overheating of generators, motors, transformers, and
power cables that lead to early equipment failures
- Failure of capacitor banks
- Nuisance tripping to protection relays and circuit breakers
- Interference to communication systems and sensitive
electronic devices
Accordingly, mitigation of the power system harmonics
represents a great importance in the industrial electrical
systems to increase system reliability, enhance operation
economics and avoid unwanted equipment failure and process
downtimes [1-2]. When an engineering consultant or an
industrial plant owner decides to mitigate the harmonics
within his plant, he will find out that there are at least ten
harmonic mitigation techniques, each having advantages, thus
the selection of the optimal mitigating technique will be a
difficult task. Brief technical comparisons for some harmonic
mitigation techniques are presented in [3], but authors did not
Sherif M. Ismael
Electrical Engineering Department
Engineering for the Petroleum and Process Industries - ENPPI
Cairo, Egypt
shriefmohsen@enppi.com
focus on the industrial sector as well as they did not take into
account the various available mitigation techniques. Similarly,
Ref. [4] introduces various harmonic mitigation product
features but it is focusing only on the merits of the author's
products without addressing the demerits as well.
An extensive literature review over the past thirty years
makes us ensure that almost there is no article compare and
summarize the various available harmonic mitigation
techniques especially for the industrial sector.
Our paper goals can be summarized as follows:
1- To extract and highlight some design precautions that can
lead to mitigation of power system harmonics
2- To investigate the various harmonic mitigation techniques
with the pros and cons of each technique
3- To provide comprehensive detailed comparative studies
between these various harmonic mitigation techniques to
enable design engineers, consultants and plant owners of
selecting the optimal harmonic mitigating technique for
their plant
II. HARMONIC MITIGATION TECHNIQUES
First, harmonic mitigation design precautions (during the
design stage of the project) are discussed followed by
harmonic mitigation techniques after project completion or
solutions for an existing facility.
1. Harmonic mitigation design precautions (during the design
stage of the project):
1.1 Segregation of harmonic producing loads from sensitive
loads
Harmonic producing loads may be separated from
sensitive loads so that sensitive loads are not influenced by
loads with high harmonics as shown in Fig. 1. All heavy loads
(in the order of several MVA) should have their own
dedicated transformers, such as the practical case of the large
drives or arc furnaces in a steel mill. These transformers
should be suitably designed to avoid overheating. If the
secondary buses are connected together via tie breaker,
precautions should be taken to ensure that the harmonic
source and sensitive loads are not simultaneously energized
during this event [5].
1
 1.4 Optimum selection of the generator pitch factor
The magnetic circuit of an AC generator produces voltage
harmonics that can be minimized through the arrangement of
the stator windings. A particular harmonic can be eliminated
from the generated voltage wave by choosing a pitch factor
that eliminates this particular harmonic [6]. The magnitude of
the pitch factor, KP, for any particular harmonic, n, is equal to:
KP = Sin (n p / 2) (1)
Where,
P: Winding pitch, the pitch of two conductors is normally
Fig. 1 Segregation of harmonic producing loads from sensitive loads defined to be at 180 electrical degrees apart
n: Harmonic order
1.2 Using star/ delta transformers for trapping triplen (3rd,
With proper planning during the design phase of the
9th project, certain harmonics can be eliminated from the
Transformer connections can be utilized to reduce generation units. Table 1 shows the effect of varying the
harmonics in a three-phase system by using delta connected generator pitch factor on the harmonic voltage content output
transformers to block the third order (triplen) harmonics, the from the generator.
delta transformer connection provides a zero sequence trap for
the triplen harmonics. This is accomplished by the fact that the Table 1
third and multiples of third harmonic currents have the same EFFECT OF PITCH FACTOR VARIATION ON VOLTAGE HARMONIC MAGNITUDES
magnitude and direction in all three legs of the delta Pitch factor Fundamental 3rd 5th 7th 9th
connected transformer, accordingly there is no resulting
2/3 0.87 0.00 0.86 0.87 0.87
change in the zero sequence flux, (d o/dt), thus the current in
the line side of the transformer contains no third harmonics. 4/6 0.95 0.58 0.00 0.59 0.95
Instead, these third harmonic currents circulate in the 0.96 0.71 0.26 0.26 0.97
5/6
transformer primary windings causing an additional
temperature rise. 6/7 0.97 0.78 0.44 0.00 0.78
Fig. 2 explains the usage of the transformer delta
connection to trap the triplen harmonics. By adjusting the winding pitch at any angle other than the
default setting (180 electrical degrees), the magnitude of the
fundamental and all harmonic components will be impacted.
From Table 1, it can be concluded that the optimum pitch
factor is (5/6) because it results in reducing the 5th and 7th
harmonics, in addition, as clearly described in section 1.2,
using delta connected transformer would filter the 3rd and 9th
harmonics, thus finally a relatively good reduction in
harmonics arising from the generation units is achieved.

2. Harmonic mitigation techniques after project completion

or solutions for an existing facility:
Fig. 2 Usage of delta transformer connection for trapping triplen harmonics
2.1 Harmonic mitigation by using AC line reactors (AC
1.3 Optimum usage of the VFD and soft starters
chokes)
The variable frequency drive has great advantages such as
speed control and energy saving. In addition, the VFD limits The AC line reactor is the simplest and cheapest mean of
the motor starting current to the nominal operating full load mitigating harmonics. It is connected in series with an
current. Some design engineers use the VFD as a soft starter individual nonlinear load such as a VFD as shown in Fig. 3.
only, thus giving the benefit of reducing the motor inrush
currents but at the same time injects a great amount of
unwanted harmonics into the electrical network. In addition,
the large cost of the VFD (the VFD cost is approximately 5
times the cost of the soft starter) limits its usage to the
applications that need speed control or energy saving
requirements.
Fig. 3 AC line reactor used to mitigate harmonics created by a VFD

2
 The impedance rating of the line reactor indicates the per
unit impedance relative to its rated full load current. This
effective impedance is proportionally reduced with the
reduction of the actual load current [3]. The percent
impedance, relative to a given load, is the voltage drop across
that impedance caused by the fundamental load current
flowing though this impedance. This can be explained by the
following equation:
Reactor impedance = [ If . Xf . 3 ] / V L-L
Where,
If: Fundamental load current
Xf: Reactance at fundamental frequency
VL-L: Line to line voltage (RMS)
Table 2 shows the effect of AC line reactor variation on the
current harmonic distortion.
TABLE 2
EFFECT OF LINE REACTOR VARIATION ON THE DRIVE
CURRENT HARMONIC DISTORTION
Drive total current harmonic distortion
Line reactor rating
(THDI)
1% 80 %
3% 35 - 45 %
5% 30 - 35 %
Using AC line reactor for harmonics mitigation has the
following advantages:
• Cheapest solution for harmonic mitigation
• Can provide moderate reduction in voltage and current
harmonics
• Available in various values of percent impedance
• Provides increased input protection for VFD and its
semiconductors from line voltage transients
• Represents a damping for the short circuit faults
• Simple and easy in installation
On the contrary, using AC line reactor for harmonics
mitigation has the following disadvantages:
• Additional voltage drop across the reactor terminals is
provided, line reactors greater than 5% are not
recommended due to the excessive voltage drops
• May require separate mounting or larger VFD enclosure
• May not reduce harmonic levels to below IEEE519-1992
guidelines [7]
• Fixed inductance value (Uncontrollable)
• Produce large heat during operation
2.2 Harmonic mitigation by using DC reactors (DC choke)
The DC reactor is simply a series inductance (reactor)
installed on the DC link of the VFD as shown in Fig. 4. In
many ways, the DC choke effect on the harmonic mitigation is
comparable to an equivalent AC-side line reactor. The DC
choke provides a greater harmonic reduction primarily of the
5th and 7th harmonics. If DC chokes (or AC line reactors) are
applied to all the VFDs within a plant, it is possible to meet
the IEEE 519-1992 guidelines where up to 15% to 40% of
system loads are VFDs, depending on the stiffness of the
utility network, the amount of linear loads, and the value of
choke inductance [3, 4].
(2)
Fig.4 AC Line rector and DC reactor applications in the VFDs
Using the DC choke for harmonics mitigation has the
following advantages:
• Packaged integrally within the VFD
• Can provide moderate reduction in voltage and current
harmonics
• Provide less voltage drop than an equivalent line reactor
• Cheap
Using the DC choke for harmonics mitigation has the
following disadvantages:
• Provide less line voltage protection than AC line reactor
• May not reduce harmonic levels to below IEEE 519-1992
guidelines
• DC choke impedance is typically fixed by design (not
field selectable)
• DC choke cannot be installed at site because it must be
installed by the VFD manufacturer only.
2.3 K-factor transformers and drive isolation transformers
manufacturers established a rating method called the K-factor,
for dry-type transformers, to evaluate their suitability for
operation in a harmonic polluted environment. This factor is
specifically defined for transformers that feed variable
frequency drives [3, 8].
The K-factor is defined by the IEEE Standard
C57.110.1998 [8] as follows: The K-factor is a rating
optionally applied to a dry type transformer indicating its
suitability for use with loads that draw non-sinusoidal
currents. The K-factor can be calculated by the following
equation:
2
2 Ih
k h (3)
h 1 IL
Where,
h: Harmonic order
Ih: Harmonic current at order (h)
IL: Line current (or fundamental current)
The K-factor indicates the transformer capability to
supply various nonlinear loads without exceeding the rated
temperature rise limits of the transformer. K-factor rated
3
transformers offer no means to reduce the magnitudes of
harmonic current except that they act as line reactance as
described in section 2.1, but the K-factor method allows the
engineer to choose a dry type transformer that can withstand
the harmonic distortion without damage or loss of
performance. Standard K-factor ratings are 4, 9, 13, 20, 30,
40, and 50. Drive isolation transformers are similar to the K-
factor transformers in that they offer line impedance similar to
a line reactor and reduce the amount of harmonic current that
is allowed to flow to the load but they do not reduce the
harmonics generated from the drive itself. Generally, these
transformers are 1:1 ratio transformers and are also used in
combinations of connections to create the 12 pulse, 18 pulse
and 24 pulse VFD configurations.
K-factor transformers have the following advantages:
• Can provide moderate reduction in voltage and current
harmonics by adding line reactance to the VFD
• Provides increased input protection for VFD and its
semiconductors from line transients
• Can be used in combinations to create special phase shifts
for harmonic cancellation
• Enhance performance reliability and reduce transformer
damage due to excessive temperature rise compared with
the standard transformers
K-factor transformers have the following disadvantages:
• K-factor transformers by themselves are a method for
the harmonics over the less expensive reactor solution
• Must be sized at full load ratings to match each drive or
group of drives
• May not reduce harmonic levels to below IEEE 519- 1992
guidelines
• More expensive than standard transformers
2.4 Multi pulse drive configurations (6 pulse, 12 pulse, 18
pulse, and 24 pulse)
Transformers can have several impacts on the application
of power electronics. First, a transformer can help to isolate
the power electronic loads from the power system with its
impedance. Next, if the transformer has a winding connection
other than a wye-wye or delta-delta, there will be an inherent
phase shift that can be beneficial in harmonics cancellation. In
fact, this phase shift is the key in minimizing the generated
harmonic currents in the 12, 18, 24 and higher pulse power
electronic equipment. The relation between the harmonics
present in the system and the number pulses is as follows:
hP= P.n ± 1 (4)
Where,
h: Harmonic order present in the VFD of the (P) pulse
number
P: Number of pulses of a VFD (typical values are: 6, 12, 18,
The six pulse drive is the simplest and least expensive
drive. The input supply current to a six pulse VFD is
approximately a square wave. The 12 pulse VFD is formed by
connecting two 6 pulse rectifiers in parallel to feed a common
DC bus. The input to these rectifiers is provided with one
three-winding transformer. This transformer has double
secondaries that are in 30o phase shift. The benefit of this
arrangement is that in the supply side, some of the harmonics
are in opposite phase and thus cancel each other.
Theoretically, this transformer arrangement yields to
eliminating the 5th and 7th harmonics. The 18 pulse VFD uses
three-phase three winding transformer that make a nine-phase
system and the equivalent of 20o phase shift which eliminate
the 5th, 7th, 11th and 13th harmonics. The 24 pulse VFD has
two 12-pulse rectifiers in parallel with two three winding
transformers, thus having 15o phase shift. The benefit of this
connection is that, theoretically, most of the low frequency
harmonics are eliminated but the major drawback is the high
cost.
An extensive literature review over the past thirty years
leads to the fact that there are no single article compare and
summarize the various VFD configurations. Table 3 provides
this novel helpful comparative study between the various VFD
configurations.
From Table 3, the following points can be extracted:
1- The 6 pulse VFD is the cheapest VFD but it creates the
largest amount of harmonics. Accordingly, it could be
used in the following cases:
a. Where small number and low ratings drives are
present in the system
b. Where there are no strict harmonic limits imposed by
the utility companies
c. Where minimum initial cost is required by the plant
owner
2- The 24 pulse VFD is the most expensive drive but it
produces the least harmonic distortion so it could be
used in the following cases:
a. In the case of a high power single drive or large
multi-drive installation (larger than 1 MW), a 24-
pulse system may be the most economical solution
with lowest harmonic distortion
b. Where there are strict harmonic limits imposed by the
utility companies
The conclusion is that the selection of the optimal VFD
configuration is a technical and economical compromise
which mainly depends on the drive rating, project budget and
customer and utility harmonic limits.
Using multi-Pulse VFD has the following advantages:
• Harmonics are eliminated from its source (not
propagating inside the electrical network), thus avoiding
excessive energy losses within system cabling and avoid
low power factor problems
• Excellent harmonic control for larger drives (>100 kW)
• Ensures IEEE 519-1992 limits compliance
4
 TABLE 3
A COMPLETE TECHNICAL COMPARISON BETWEEN THE VARIOUS VFD CONFIGURATIONS

Drive configuration 6 Pulse 12 Pulse 18 Pulse 24 Pulse

Harmonics created formula h6 = 6n ± 1 h 12 = 12n ± 1 h 18 = 18n ± 1 h 24 = 24n ± 1

th th th th th th th th th
5 , 7 , 11 , 13 , 17 , 11 , 13 , 23 , 25 ,
Harmonics created orders 17th, 19th, 35th , 37th th
, 25th , 47th , 49th
19th 35th, 27th
Least harmonic order created 5th 11th 17th 23th

Input transformer Not required Required Required Required

Primary: Delta
Input transformer connection* Four Input transformers
Primary: Star Secondary: Triple
(each Star/ Delta) but
Not applicable Secondary: double windings (Delta
(*Connections may vary according to phase shifted from each
windings (Star / Delta) connected but phase
manufacturer) other
shifted)
Phase shift achieved*
Not applicable 30 ° 20 ° or 15 ° 15 ° or 7.5 °
(*Phase shift may vary according to
manufacturer)
Current THD (%)
Meet IEEE 519 limits No Maybe Yes Yes

All (KW) ratings are
Available ratings in the market (KW)
available
Overall dimensions
100 %
(Relative to 6 pulse VFD)
Stand-alone installation
Installation options or inside a standard
switchgear
Cooling Air cooled
All (KW) ratings are Available and economic Available and economic
for large power rating for large power rating
available
drives, (> 300 kW) drives, (> 800 kW)
150 % to 200 % 300 % 350 %
Stand-alone
installation or inside a Stand-alone installation Stand-alone installation
standard switchgear
Air cooled Air cooled or water cooled Air cooled or water cooled

Complexity Simple Moderate Complicated Very complicated

Cost
100 % 200 % 250 % 300 %
(Relative to 6 pulse VFD)

Using multi-Pulse VFD has the following disadvantages:
• The higher the number of pulses the higher the drive cost
and complexity
• 18 Pulse and 24 Pulse VFD's are considered as
economical solutions only for large power rating drives
(>300 kW)
• Special motor's insulation may be required when the
motor is fed from a high pulse VFD system
• shown in Fig. 5.
and clean environment only
• Special cooling requirements may be required for larger
VFD ratings
high pass filters. Passive filters are designed (tuned) to
provide a low impedance path to harmonic currents at a
specific frequency called the tuning frequency (fr) or as band-
pass devices that can filter harmonics over a certain frequency
bandwidth [2, 3,9] thus preventing the flow of these harmonic
currents into the electrical system.
Single tuned passive filter circuit diagram, reactance
response and impedance versus frequency characteristics are

2.5 Passive tuned harmonic filters

One of the most common and effective methods for
control of harmonics in the industry is the use of passive
filtering techniques that simply make use of combinations of
inductances, capacitances and resistances to form a trap for
specific harmonic orders. Passive filters can be classified,
according to their connections, into single-tuned, damped and Fig. 5 (a) Single tuned shunt filter circuit diagram, (b) Single tuned shunt
filter inductive and capacitive reactances Vs. frequency response,
(c)Single tuned shunt filter impedance Vs. frequency response

5
 A shunt filter is said to be tuned to the frequency that
makes its inductive and capacitive reactances equal. Passive
filters are constructed by using capacitors and inductors in
carefully selected combinations. For a simple single tuned
filter, at the tuning frequency, the inductive reactance equals
the capacitive reactance as follow:
XL = XC (at the tuning frequency, fr) (5)
2. .fr.L = 1/ (2. .fr.C) (6)
Solving (6) for (fr) leads to:
(7)
Where,
XL: Inductive reactance
XC: Capacitive reactance
L: Inductance of the filter
C: Capacitance of the filter
fr: Tuning frequency of the filter
A properly designed passive filter can remove 50-80% of
the target harmonic current. In order to design a passive filter,
some time-consuming calculations, computer models and
simulations are often required. Large rating filters are divided
into stages and are often switched in steps using
electromechanical contactors controlled by a microprocessor
controller that operates the stages based on the load power
factor.
If the harmonic producing loads are varying rapidly, as in
the polystyrene and ethylene petrochemical plants, the passive
filters inherent slow response time (up to 30 seconds per
stage) can cause short-term overload conditions that may
cause the capacitors in the passive filter to deteriorate
prematurely. It should be noted that as the capacitors decline
(losing microfarads due to overloading and aging), the filter
tuning frequency shifts upwards in frequency and this is the
reason of tuning the passive filter at 10% below the required
tuning frequency. Recently, many manufacturers of low
voltage passive filters have replaced the electromechanical
contactors with solid-state silicon controlled rectifier (SCR)
switching devices that have the advantage of improving the
speed of response of the passive filter to cope with the fast
load changes. There are other types of passive filters such as:
second order damped filters, third order damped filters, and C-
Type filters [10].
Passive filters have the following advantages:
• Cheap
• Simple circuitry
• Easy maintenance
• Provides power factor correction
• A single filter can compensate for multiple drives
Passive filters have the following disadvantages:
• Harmonic analysis studies using computer aided
softwares like electrical transient analyzer program
(ETAP) are required for identifying the harmonics present
in the system and their relevant levels, then the passive
filter can be sized accordingly
• Man-hour and man-power are required by engineering
consultants to perform the required plant harmonic
analysis studies
• May not reduce harmonic levels to below IEEE 519-1992
guidelines
• Separate mounting and protective device (breaker/fuse)
are required
• Care is needed in filter's components sizing to avoid over-
loading
• During light loading conditions, the passive filter may
lead to leading power factors
• Each single tuned filter eliminate single harmonic order
only
2.6 Active harmonic filters (AHF)
Active harmonic filter (AHF) is an intelligent and
interactive filter. The basic principle of the active filter is that
it generates a current equal and opposite in polarity (180°
phase shifted) to the harmonic current drawn by the nonlinear
load and injects it to the point of common coupling (PCC).
Accordingly, the active filter forces the source current to be
pure sinusoidal as clearly shown in Fig. 6. The characteristic
of harmonic compensation is strongly dependent on the
filtering algorithm used for extraction and calculation of the
harmonic load current [2, 9, 11].
The current waveform generated from the active
harmonic filter is produced by using a voltage source or
current source inverter. The voltage source inverter is more
commonly used in the active harmonic filters' market. The
desired current waveform generated by the filter is strictly
dependent on controlling the switching of the inverter
switches that are usually insulated gate bipolar transistors
(IGBT).
Fig. 6 Priniciple of operation of the shunt active harmonic filter
As shown in Fig. 7 and Fig. 8, there are two types of
active filters:
• Shunt active harmonic filter
• Series active harmonic filter
6
 • Can be designed and allocated into main distribution
switchgear to provide global harmonic compensation for
several VFDs
• Extendable solution, many AHF units can be connected in
parallel in order to achieve higher power requirements.

• Typically the AHF is considered the most expensive

mitigation solution due to its intelligent performance and
sophisticated control
• Series unit must be sized to carry the full load current and
insulated for full line voltage, and accordingly their cost
Fig. 7 Shunt active harmonic filter are even much higher the shunt filters.
• Difficult maintenance and needs for specialized personnel
Table 4 introduce a comprehensive comparison between the
passive and active harmonic filters
TABLE 4
COMPARISON BETWEEN THE PASSIVE AND ACTIVE HARMONIC FILTERS
Passive harmonic Active harmonic
filters filters
Harmonic analysis
Yes No
studies required
Only single harmonic
Target harmonics From 2ndto 50th
order (typically 5th)
Sometimes, if properly
Meet IEEE 519 limits Yes
sized
Fig. 8 Series active harmonic filter
Yes, due to slow No. AHF current is
Possibility of response and/or limited to maximum
overloading variation of harmonic RMS current rating of
because they are designed to carry the full load current and are loads the filter
insulated for full line voltage, hence their cost are much Field expandable Sometimes
Yes. Addition of
parallel units is possible.
higher than shunt filters. The active harmonic filter main
Only low voltage AHF
components are summarized as follows: Low voltage and is available, higher
a. Power section, which contain an input filter, inverter and Available voltages medium voltage passive voltage levels can be
energy storage components (capacitors) filters are available achieved by using step
up transformer
b. Control section, which contain a harmonic current Typically 30 seconds
extraction circuit, inverter control circuit and capacitor Response to load delay with Very fast response (less
voltage monitoring circuit changes electromechanical than 1 cycle)
contactor based systems

Active harmonic filters have many advantages including the Installation options Indoor or Outdoor Indoor only

following: Target harmonic order

Mainly defined by and the amount of RMS current of the filter
• Extensive harmonic analysis studies are not required reactive power injected
because the active filter mitigate all the harmonic present Probability of series
Yes No
in the system automatically or parallel resonance
• Save man-hour and man-power required by engineering Maintenance Easy Difficult
consultants to perform the plant harmonic analysis studies Cost Cheap Most expensive solution

• Avoids series and parallel resonance problems

• Guarantees compliance with IEEE 519-1992 limits
• Shunt AHF cannot be overloaded even if future harmonic
loads are added
• Provides harmonic cancellation from the 2ndto 50th
harmonic components
• Shunt AHF provides easy installation with no major
system rework or interruption.
• Provides reactive power compensation which improves
the system power factor
From Table 4, we conclude that the AHF has many
advantages over the passive filter, but the major drawback of
the AHF is its great cost that may reach four times the cost of
the passive filter.
2.7 Hybrid harmonic filters
In order to extend the application range of the active
filters, and to improve the performance of passive filters,
another approach consists of combining both technologies
within the same device called (Hybrid) filter [12]. The
available hybrid filter configurations are parallel/ series type

7
hybrid filter and series/ parallel type hybrid filter. Both hybrid
filter configurations are shown in Fig. 9 and Fig. 10
respectively.
Fig. 9 Parallel / Series type hybrid filter
Fig. 10 Series / Parallel type hybrid filter
Parallel/ Series hybrid filter main components can be
summarized as:
a. One (or more) bank(s) of resonant passive filters (Fi),
parallel-connected across the nonlinear load(s).
b. An active harmonic filter, made up of:
A magnetic coupler (Tr), the primary of which is
inserted in series with the passive filter(s),
Active harmonic filter (AHF) connected to the
secondary of the magnetic coupler.
The hybrid filter is composed of a combination of passive
and active filters. The passive filter portion is tuned to the
dominant harmonic frequency in the system and is supplying
the required reactive power for power factor correction
requirements. The active filter portion is dedicated for
removing all other harmonic orders. The active filter must be
programmed to ignore the harmonic frequency to which the
passive filter is tuned to avoid any negative interaction
between the two elements in the hybrid configuration. With
the reduction of size of the active filter portion and the supply
of reactive energy from the passive portion, the hybrid
technology offers an optimum economical solution for the
most demanding high power installations. It combines the
advantages of both passive and active filters technologies.
Hybrid harmonic filter has many advantages including the
following:
• Combine the advantages of passive and active filtering
solutions
• Filtering a wide frequency range (elimination of
harmonics numbered 2nd to 50th)
• Compensation of reactive power and improving power
factor
Hybrid harmonic filter has many disadvantages including the
following:
• Care should be given to ensure that the passive portion of
the hybrid filter will not be overloaded
• Disadvantages of the passive filter and active filter
described above in sections (2.5, 2.6) are valid for hybrid
filter
• Expensive, difficult maintenance solution
Each harmonic mitigation technique has many advantages
and disadvantages as described earlier in this paper.
Furthermore, Table 5 provides a novel helpful comparative
study between most of the harmonic mitigation solutions.
III. CONCLUSION
Mitigating the power system harmonics represents a great
importance in the industrial applications in order to increase
system reliability, enhance operation economics and avoid
unwanted equipment failure and process downtimes. There are
at least ten harmonic mitigation techniques, each having many
pros and cons. Previous articles addressed limited specific
harmonic mitigation techniques in details. This paper provides
a comprehensive technical comparison between most various
harmonics mitigation techniques highlighting the pros and
cons of each technique to enable the design engineers,
consultants and plant owners of selecting the optimum
harmonic mitigating technique for their plant.
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[1] Mohamed Zaki El-Sadek, Power System Harmonics, 2nd edition, 2007,
Mukhtar Press, Egypt.
[2] Mohamed Zaki El-Sadek, Power System Harmonic Filters, 1st edition,
2007, Mukhtar Press, Egypt
[3] Daniel J. Carnovale, Thomas J.
[4] Schneider Electric, Harmonics Solution Handbook, 1st edition, June 2009
[5] IEEE, Recommended practice for industrial and commercial power
systems, ANSI/ IEEE 399-1997, Chapter 10, PP. 265-312
[6] nding of Harmonics Distortions in
Petroleum and Chemical Industry
Conference, 2002, PP. 237-250
[7] IEEE, Recommended Practice and Requirements for Harmonics Control
in Electrical Power Systems, ANSI/ IEEE 519-1992
[8] IEEE, Recommended Practice for Establishing Transformer Capability
when Supplying Non-sinusoidal Load Currents. ANSI/IEEE C57.110-
1986.
[9] Francisco C. De La Rosa, Harmonics and Power Systems, 1st edition,
2006, CRC press
[10] Jos Arrillaga, Neville R. Watson, Power System Harmonics, 2nd edition,
2007, John Wiley & Sons Press
[11] Schneider Electric Cahier tec
st
edition, June 1999
[12] Schneider Electric Cahier technique
st
edition, Dec. 1999
8
 TABLE 5
A COMPLETE TECHNICAL COMPARISON BETWEEN MOST OF THE HARMONIC MITIGATION SOLUTIONS

Harmonic AC line K-factor Multi-pulse

DC reactor Passive filter Active filter Hybrid filter
mitigation solution reactor transformer VFD

< 11 %
Current THD (%) <40% < 45% N/A (for 12 pulse < 12 % 3- 5 % 5- 7 %
VFD)

Maybe
Meet IEEE 519
Rarely Rarely N/A (for 18 & 24 Maybe Yes Yes
limits
pulse)

Power factor
No No N/A No Yes Yes Yes
improvement

Attract upstream
No No N/A No Yes No Yes
harmonics
Series (inside
Connection Series DC link of the Series Shunt Shunt Shunt Series + Shunt
VFD)
Difficult, Must
be installed by
Insertion difficulty Difficult the VFD Difficult Easy Difficult Easy Difficult
manufacturer
only
Resonance
No No No No Yes No Yes
occurrence risk

Field expandable No No No No Yes Yes Yes

Require harmonic
Yes Yes N/A Yes Yes No No
analysis studies
LV only (MV are LV only (MV are
Available voltage available with a available with a
LV & MV LV LV & MV LV & MV LV & MV
levels step-up step-up
transformer) transformer)

Efficiency Moderate Moderate Moderate High Moderate High High

Overall dimensions Small Small Moderate Large Large Large Large

Indoor or Indoor (inside Indoor or Indoor or

Installation options Indoor Indoor Indoor
outdoor the VFD) outdoor outdoor

Air cooling or
Cooling Air cooling Air cooling Air cooling Air cooling Air cooling Air cooling
water cooling

Very
Complexity Simple Simple Simple Complicated Moderate Very Complicated
Complicated

Cost Low Low Moderate Expensive Moderate Very Expensive Very Expensive

Where:
N/A: Not applicable
LV: Low voltage
MV: Medium voltage

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