Odd Harmonics

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The frequencies we use are multiples of the fundamental frequency that is 50

Hz. The second harmonic is two times 50 Hertz, or we can say 100 Hz. The
third harmonic is 150 Hertz and so on. In our three phase power systems, the
“even” harmonics (second, fourth, sixth, etc.) cancel, so we only need to deal
with the “odd” harmonics.
Even harmonics are symmetrical waveforms, i.e. where the positive and
negative half cycles are the same shape and magnitude, cancel out each other.
Unlike the positive and negative sequence harmonic currents that cancel each
other out, third order or triple harmonics do not cancel out.
R-phase starts from 0 to 1800 to 3600. Y-phase starts from 1200 and B-phase
starts from 2400. This means RYB are 1200 apart from each other. We can see
that 3rd harmonics starts from 0 to 600 to 1200 to 1800. This triple harmonic is
in phase and are not 1200 apart from each other. Triple odd harmonics are the
most damaging to an electrical system because these harmonics on the A-
phase, B-phase and C-phase are in sequence with each other. They do not
cancel each other. Instead, they add up arithmetically in the common neutral
wire which is subjected to currents from all three phases.
For fundamental frequency,

R-phase , Van = l V l cos wt


Y-phase , Vbn = l V l cos (wt-1200)
B-phase , Vcn = l V l cos (wt+1200)
and for 3rd harmonics,

Van3 = l V l cos3wt
Vbn3 = l V l cos (3wt-3600) = l V l cos3wt
Vcn3 = l V l cos (3wt+3600) = l V l cos3wt

This means,
Van3 = Vbn3 = Vcn3
So, they will not cancel each other.

 The zero-phase sequence means that the magnitude of three phases has
zero phase displacement between them.

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