An Overview of Methods to Determine the

Harmonics in Three-Phase Systems

Joep Jacobs, Dirk O. Detjen, Rik W. De Doncker
Institute for Power Electronics and Electrical Drives
Aachen University of Technology, Germany
jj@isea.rwth-aachen.de

Abstract--This paper gives an overview of techniques to
determine the harmonic content of the currents of three-phase
power systems. The different methods, such as the Fourier
transformation, the FBD-method, the instantaneous reactive
power theory, the dq-transformation and the multiple rotating
transformation method are described in detail. Advantages and
disadvantages are given and the most favorable methods are
compared.
As an example, these methods are used for the control of a
Shunt Active Power Filter to investigate them in detail. For this
purpose, the filter is simulated in the PSpice environment. Two
different methods to calculate the harmonic content in three-
phase power systems are implemented in a special DSP-model to
simulate the time discrete behavior of processors. The simulation
results are presented in this paper.
Index Terms - Harmonic Measurement, Harmonics, Active
Filters.
I. INTRODUCTION
With the increasing use of non-linear loads such as diode-
bridge rectifiers, adjustable speed-drives and cycloconverters
the generation of harmonic currents has steadily increased. The
disadvantages [1] of these harmonic currents are well known.
Among others, additional heat in power cables, transformers,
electrical machines and capacitors is generated due to the
increased RMS current. In three-phase four-wire systems, the
triplen harmonics all add up in the neutral conductor which
can lead to an unacceptable high current in this conductor. The
power factor is typically reduced, and harmonics accelerate the
system’s aging process causing extra costs.
In the past, different passive, active or a combination of
both, the so-called hybrid filters have been investigated [2, 3].
Especially the Shunt Active Power Filter (SAPF) has proven to
be very effective and is therefore available on the commercial
market and has been installed in industrial power systems.
The control of these filters requires the calculation of the
harmonic content of the load currents. In this paper different
methods such as the Fourier analysis, FBD-Method, multiple
rotating transformation method, the instantaneous reactive
power theory, and the dq-transformation are described in detail
and are discussed. Based on this discussion two methods are
selected for comparison with the help of the simulation tool
PSpice.
II. SHUNT ACTIVE POWER FILTER
The single phase diagram of a Shunt Active Power Filter is
depicted in Fig. 1. The source supplies a harmonic generating
load. A SAPF is installed in parallel to the load to compensate
the harmonics making the source current is sinusoidal. In this
case, the active filter current iAF has to be equal to the
harmonic content of the load current iL. Therefore, depending
on the control, the load current iL or the source current iS can
be measured and its harmonic content can be calculated. In all
examples in this paper the load current is measured. The
calculated harmonic content is used as the current command
signal for the SAPF.
In this paper, the authors mention that the goal of an active
filter is to generate sinusoidal source currents. The other
option is to control the SAPF in a way that the source currents
become proportional to the source voltage, i.e. the filter tries
to model a resistive load. Opinions vary about which control is
the preferred one. It is the authors' opinion that from the utility
customers view-point the sinusoidal source current generation
is the most favorable because in this case active power is
drawn only from the fundamental voltage.
iS iL
iAF
Fig. 1: Single-phase diagram of the Shunt Active Power Filter installed in a
power system.
For the investigations in this paper we assume a three-
phase 50 Hz / 400 V voltage source with a source inductance
of 50 µH. This voltage source feeds a non-linear load which
consists of a B6 diode bridge rectifier with a series connected
resistor (R = 1 Ω) and inductor (L = 8.3 mH). Capacitive loads
are not considered in this paper because it is known that series
active filters are better suited for compensating harmonics
generated by voltage inducing loads.
The SAPF consists of a current controlled three-phase
IGBT voltage source inverter, filter inductors (Lf = 500 µH) to
smooth the inverter's output current and a 800 V dc-link. In the
simulations, the dc-link is assumed to be ideal. The filter
current is controlled with a hysteresis controller.
The control (including the calculation of the harmonic
content of the load current) of the SAPF is implemented in a
DSP-model to simulate the time discrete behavior of
microprocessors or DSPs [11]. This model allows to write the
complete control algorithm in C-code. The sample frequency
of the controller is fS = 12.8 kHz which results in a number of
256 cycles per fundamental period.
III. HARMONIC CURRENT CALCULATION
In literature, different methods to calculate the harmonic
content of voltages and currents have been presented during
the past 25 years [4 - 11]. In this paper the authors will
describe the following methods:
• eSi ⋅ iLi
Fourier Transformation (FFT[5], DFT [6])
• Fryze-Bucholz-Depenbrock (FBD)-Method [7]
• Instantaneous Reactive Power Theory [4]
• dq-Transformation [9, 10]
• Multiple dq-Transformations [8]
harmonic filter products the DFT is not applied due to these
disadvantages.
B. Fryze-Bucholz-Depenbrock (FBD)-Method
The FBD-Method [7] tries to shape the source currents iSa,
iSb and iSc in such a way that they become proportional to the
source voltages eSa, eSb and eSc. Therefore, the source voltages
and the load currents are measured. With the help of these
quantities the equivalent conductance can be calculated:
Gi = , i = a, b or c (5)
eSi ⋅ eSi
The index i indicates the three phases a, b or c. The terms
in the formula can be calculated with

A. Fourier Transformation 1 t
T t ∫−T
The result of a Fourier Transformation is a continuous eSi ⋅ iLi = ⋅ eSi (t ) ⋅ iLi (t )dt = P (6)
frequency spectrum of a function in the time domain. The
discrete equivalent is called the Discrete Fourier
1 t E2
Transformation (DFT). For active filter applications the source eSi ⋅ eSi = ⋅ ∫ eSi (t ) ⋅ eSi (t )dt = (7)
or load currents are measured. The DFT of a time discrete T t −T 2
current i[n] sampled with frequency fs is determined as
This means that the minimum current required by the load
a −1 2 kn
can be determined:
∑ i[n] ⋅ e
−j
I [k ] = N
(1)
n= a − N
iL* ,min,i = Gi ⋅ eSi (t ) (8)
k = 0, 1, 2, ..., N-1 (2) To achieve unity power factor the current difference has to
The spectrum I [k ] represents all harmonic values of the be compensated. Therefore, the active filter has to inject a
current:
fundamental frequency f0 up to (N-1)th. The number of samples
taken during one fundamental period is *
iAF,i
= iL,i (t ) − Gi ⋅ eSi (t ) (9)
fS The advantages of this method are that it is very easy to
N= (3)
f0 implement and that it requires little computing power. This
method can be used in single- as well as in multi-phase
With the Euler-equation we obtain for the spectrum systems. Especially, in stationary systems the damping
a −1
 2 kn  a −1
 2 kn  performance is quite good.
I [k ] = ∑ i[n] ⋅ cos
n= a − N N 
 − j ⋅ ∑ i[n] ⋅ sin 
n= a− N  N 
 (4) On the other hand this method can not distinguish between
reactive and distortion power, i.e. it is not possible to
With the help of this equation the harmonics that need to compensate the harmonic load currents only. Single harmonics
be compensated can be determined. The inverse DFT is used such as the 5th and the 7th can not be detected and
to generate the inverter’s reference signals in the time domain. compensated, too. A second disadvantage is that source
An advantage of the DFT is that all harmonics can be voltage harmonics result in proportional source current
identified individually. Hence, harmonics that need to be harmonics, causing additional power flow. Lastly, the
compensated can be selected and compensated. Furthermore, equivalent conductance G is gained with voltage and current
the DFT can be implemented in single-phase systems as well samples of the last fundamental period, which means that this
as multi-phase-systems. method requires one fundamental period to respond to
Mayor disadvantage, however, is that a large amount of transient conditions making the active filter rather slow.
computing power is required. Especially, in multi-phase C. The instantaneous reactive power theory
systems the frequency spectrum has to be calculated for every
The instantaneous reactive power theory [2 - 4] or pq-
phase. On the other hand, if all harmonics need to be
theory (Fig. 2) is already used in a lot of filter applications.
compensated only the amplitude of the fundamental has to be
The phase voltages ea, eb, and ec and the load currents iLa,
determined, so saving calculation time. Although reducing the
required computing power drastically the DFT method still iLb and iLc are measured and transformed into α-β orthogonal
requires powerfull processors. Another drawback is that in coordinates.
transient conditions the harmonics can not be accurately ea 
detected rapidly, because the spectrum is calculated from the eα  1 − 1
− 1
  
 = ⋅ ⋅
2 2

3   
2
eb (10)
3 −
3
samples of the previous fundamental cycle. In commercial e β  0
1 1
2 2
ec 
 iLa 
iLα  1 − 12 − 12   
 = ⋅ ⋅
3 − 12 3   
2
3 i Lb (11)
i Lβ  0
1
2
i Lc 

According to [4], the instantaneous real power pL and the

instantaneous imaginary power qL on the load side can be
calculated with the help of these equations.
Fig. 2: Instantaneous Reactive Power Theory
 pL   e e  i L 
  = − e ⋅
e  i L 
(12)
D. dq-Transformation
 qL  
Another method to generate the harmonic content of the
According to [2], the instantaneous real power pL and the currents is the dq-transformation [9, 10]. This method is based
instantaneous imaginary power qL are divided into three on a space vector transformation. The time dependent load
components. currents iLa, iLb, and iLc are measured in a stationary reference
p L = p L + pˆ L + ~
pL frame and subsequently transformed into the rotating dq-
~ (13) reference frame. The dq-system rotates with the fundamental
q L = q L + qˆ L + q L
frequency f0 of the ac supply. The phase angle θ is provided by
In the case the source voltage is undistorted, the dc a PLL as mentioned in the next paragraph. The principle of
component p L corresponds to the fundamental active power this control is depicted in Fig. 3
and q L corresponds to the fundamental reactive power. The
high frequency (≥ 150Hz) components ~ p L and q~L correspond
to the harmonics and the low frequency (0.9 Hz < f < 150 Hz)
components p̂ L and q̂ L correspond to the subharmonics and
to negative sequence components of the three-phase system.
For example, with a high pass filter with a cut-off frequency of
150 Hz the harmonic components ~ p L and q~L can be
determined.
 p∗   ~pL 
 ∗  = ~  (14)
 q   qL  Fig. 3: Calculation of the harmonic content with dq-transformation

By an inverse transformation, the current command signals

  2   2  i
can be calculated.  cos cos −  cos +    La 
 i Ld  2 
 =  3   3    (16)
i  3  ⋅ i 
i AF1
∗
 1 0  −1  Lq   2   2    Lb 
e e   p∗   sin sin  −  sin  +    i Lc 
∗ 
i AF2  = ⋅ − 12 3  ⋅  ⋅ ∗   3   3 
e 
2 1
(15)
3 2
−e q 
i AF3
 
∗
 − 12 − 1
2 3   The dq-signals of the load currents can be divided into dc-
and ac-components.
The instantaneous power theory is implemented in the ~
majority of today’s harmonic filters. Its easy implementation i Ld = iLd + i Ld
~
(17)
and relatively small computing power are the driving forces i Lq = iLq + i Lq
for this. Furthermore, it can respond rapidly in transient
conditions mainly depending on the high- or band-pass filter. The active dc-component i Ld represents the positive
The disadvantage of this method is that the source of the sequence fundamental active power of the load currents, the
harmonics, the voltage source or the load current, can not be reactive dc-component i Lq represents the positive sequence
determined and that in the case of voltage and current fundamental of the reactive power of the load currents, and the
harmonics not all harmonics are detected. In fact this method ac-components ~iLd and ~iLq represent the total harmonic content
tries to modulate a resistive load, which could be the preferred
control strategy. Minor disadvantages of this method is that it of the load current.
is only applicable in three-phase power systems and that the If the dq-components are high pass filtered, the dc-
harmonics can not be identified separately. components are eliminated, and one obtains the total harmonic
content.
~
*
i Ld = iLd
~ (18)
*
i Lq = iLq
 The reference signals iAFa *
, iAFb
*
, and iAFc
*
for the current The algorithms of the previously described dq-
controller are calculated by multiplying the dq-components iLd* transformation can also be used to transform the time
dependent currents into a system rotating with the harmonic
and iLq* with the inverse transformation matrix.
frequency fh. Now, the harmonic h is represented as a dc-
  quantity. This dc-component can be filtered by a low pass
 cos sin  filter and transformed into the stationary reference frame. If
i  
* 
*   
AFa
2   2    iLd 
*
(19)
several harmonics have to be compensated several
 iAFb  =  cos −  sin − ⋅ *  transformations have to be made. An example is shown in
 i*    3   3    iLq 
 AFc    Fig. 4.
2   2 
 cos + 3  sin +  The advantage is that the harmonics can be determined
    3 
separately and precisely. The computing power demand is, of
The phase angle θ of the source voltage eSa has to be course, larger, compared to the standard dq-transformation.
determined to synchronize the reference signals with the IV. SIMULATION RESULTS
fundamental components of the phase voltages. This phase The instantaneous reactive power theory and the dq-
angle and the fundamental frequency f0 are provided by a transformation have been implemented in the PSpice
Phase Locked Loop (PLL). simulation environment. The control algorithms are
The three phase voltages eSa, eSb, and eSc are measured and implemented in a DSP model created with the help of the
the reactive or q-component eq of these voltages is calculated Device Equations-option of PSpice [11]. Herein the algorithms
[9, 10]. can be written in C-code. The DSP model simulates the time
 eSa  discrete behavior of DSPs and microprocessors. All values are
  2   2    chosen as described in chapter II.
e q =  sin sin  −  sin  +   ⋅  eSb  (20)
  3   3    iL / A
 eSc  800
When the angle θ is equal to the phase angle of the voltage
vector, the q-component of the fundamental is zero. Hence, by 400
adjusting the angle θ the q-component can be controlled to t / ms
zero, realizing a tracking of the phase angle of the phase 0
20 40
voltages.
The dq-transformation method has the same pros and cons -400
as the instantaneous reactive power theory. Except for the fact
that if the source voltages are tracked properly the source -800
voltage harmonics do not have an impact on the filtering
Fig. 5: Load current
performance. On the other hand this phase tracking requires
more computing power.
E. Multiple dq-transformations

Fig. 6: Filter current iF and source current iS with instantaneous reactive

power theory

Fig. 4: Multiple dq-transformations The load current iL is depicted in Fig. 5. The filter and source
currents in the case the instantaneous reactive power theory is
used are depicted in Fig. 6. The impact of the source voltage is
shown very clearly. Because there are no in- and output filters
used in the simulation. In practice the measured source
voltages are filtered at the input. Further, the inverter will have
an output LC- or LCL-filter. Fig. 7 shows the results of the dq-
transformation implementation. Again, no in- and output filters
are implemented, but with this method the source current
becomes nearly sinusoidal. Only the steep current rise can not
be compensated because of the dynamic limits of the SAPF.
For the dq-transformation no in- and output filters are
necessary to obtain sinusoidal source currents.
Fig. 7: Filter current iF and source current iS with dq-transformation
V. CONCLUSION
In this paper different algorithms to calculate the reference
signals for SAPF are reviewed. Advantages and disadvantages
are given. Based on these advantages and disadvantages two
algorithms, the instantaneous power theory and the dq-
transformation, have been selected for implementation in
three-phase power systems.
Although the implementation of the instantaneous power
theory is more simple because it does not require a PLL the
dq-transformation does not require in- and output filters to
generate sinusoidal source currents. In this way the SAPF can
be made more cost effective.
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