Harmonic Mitigation and Filters 685

secondary circuits that are much larger than the switched circuit. The ratio of these
frequencies is given by
sffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
fc Lm Cm
¼ ð20:23Þ
fm Ls Cs
where fc is the coupled frequency, fm is the main circuit switching frequency, Ls and
Cs are the inductance and capacitance in the secondary circuit, and Lm and Cm are
the inductance and capacitance in the main circuit. Figure 20-10(a) shows the circuit
diagram and Fig. 20-10(b) shows amplification of transient voltage in multiple capa-
citor circuits. The amplification effect is greater when the natural frequencies of the

Figure 20-10 (a) Circuit of a secondary resonance; (b) overvoltages due to secondary
resonance. (From Ref. 4.)

Copyright 2002 by Marcel Dekker, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

 686 Chapter 20

two circuits are almost identical. Damping ratios of the primary and coupled circuits
will effect the degree of interaction between the two circuits [4].

20.8 FILTER REACTORS

Filter reactors for filter applications are subjected to high harmonic frequencies. A
harmonic current flow spectrum, based on the worst case operation, is normally
required by a manufacturer for an appropriate design. There are two basic forms
of construction: (1) air-core reactors and (2) iron-core reactors. The reactors can be
designed considering higher harmonic losses and air-core types are generally pre-
ferred over iron-core reactors. The earlier construction of air-insulated reactors,
consisting of large conductors restrained in polyester or poured-in concrete has
given way to small parallel conductors, epoxy insulated and encapsulated. Air-
core reactors can be designed to better tolerances as compared to iron-core reactors.
The change in magnetic material properties can give rise to wider fluctuations in the
reactance value in iron-core reactors, though these are designed with lower flux
densities, and are smaller in dimensions. The reactors must withstand system-
through fault symmetrical ampères for 3 sec and also the mechanical stresses brought
about by asymmetrical short-circuit currents. Dynamic stresses due to switching and
transformer inrush currents may have to be considered.

20.8.1 Q Factor
Apart from its impact on the filter performance, the Q factor determines the funda-
mental frequency losses and this could be an overriding consideration, especially
when the reactors at medium-voltage level are required to be located indoors in
metal or fiber-glass enclosures and space is at a premium. Consider a second har-
monic filter for the furnace installation in Fig. 20-9. The capacitor is 0.00128 mF, the
inductor is 0.01371 mH, i.e., inductive reactance = 5.1687 ohms. A X=R of 50 gives
a reactor resistance of 0.1032 ohms. The fundamental frequency current is 1280 A.
This gives a loss of approximately 507 kW/hr (at fundamental), which is very sub-
stantial.
Equation (20.8) defines the filter Q based on the inductive or capacitive reac-
tance at the tuned frequency (these are equal). The fundamental frequency losses and
heat dissipation are of major consideration. This does not mean that the effect on
filter performance can be ignored. The higher the value of Q, the more pronounced is
the valley at the tuned frequency. However, for industrial systems. The value of R
can be limited to the resistance built in the reactor itself.

Example 20.4
The effect of change in Q of the filter is examined in this example. We have an X=R
of 100 at fundamental frequency for the filter reactors in example 20.3. Thus, the
resistance values of the reactors are:
Fifth harmonic filter at bus 2 = 0.01469 ,
Fifth harmonic filter at bus 3 = 0.01836 ,
Seventh harmonic filter at bus 2 and bus 3 = 0.012642 .

Copyright 2002 by Marcel Dekker, Inc. All Rights Reserved.