1
Allocating Harmonic Emission Limits at HV
and EHV Based on IEC 61000-3-6 under
Consideration of Global and Future Installations
C. Amornvipas, and L. Hofmann
Abstract-- In the network planning phase, the maximum
harmonic emission limits will be allocated by network utilities to
individual distorting installation, which will be connected to
systems. Each distorting installation is responsible for
maintaining its harmonic voltage as well as current levels within
the allocated limits in order to avoid the overall harmonic
problems in networks. This paper gives the overview of the
assessment procedure of emission limits for connection of
distorting installations to High Voltage (HV) and Extra High
Voltage (EHV) systems as well as the concept of sharing planning
levels for harmonic voltages according to the technical report
IEC 61000-3-6. In this paper, some new concepts are introduced
and implemented as the extension to the method proposed in
IEC 61000-3-6 under consideration of the global and future
harmonic emission. The proposed method suites network
calculations without complicated algorithms and could be seen as
complementary to IEC 61000-3-6. The method introduced in this
work would contribute to lower harmonic emission limits to the
new distorting installations. However, this would be necessary
especially in the environment where harmonic distorting degree
in neighboring networks is strong and the new distorting
installations should not contribute to overall harmonic problems
in the considered system. At the end of this paper, a calculation
example of wind power grid integration in the aspect of
harmonic planning levels is given in order to demonstrate the
simplified application of the presented method in this paper.
Index Terms— Harmonic Emission Limits, HV and EHV
Levels, IEC 61000-3-6, Planning Levels for Harmonic Voltages
I. INTRODUCTION
I N the recent years, various distorting installations producing
harmonics have been connected to High Voltage (HV) and
Extra High Voltage (EHV) power transmission networks.
According to IEC standard, HV refers to voltage between
35 kV and 230 kV, while EHV is defined for voltage above
230 kV. In addition to electrical installations with
conventional nonlinear voltage-current characteristics such as
arc furnaces and induction ovens, other significant sources of
harmonics in modern power systems include power
electronics controlled devices for controlling input/output
voltages and currents. For example, High-Voltage Direct-
C. Amornvipas and L. Hofmann are with Institute of Electric Power
Systems, Division of Power Supply, Leibniz Universität Hannover,
Appelstrasse 9A, 30167 Hannover, Germany.
(e-mail: amornvipas@iee.uni-hannover.de; hofmann@iee.uni-hannover.de)
978-1-61284-788-7/11/$26.00 ©2011 IEEE
Current (HVDC) transmission systems controlled by thyristors
are used for connecting two power systems with different
operating frequencies or for power transmission over a long
distance in order to avoid reactive power transfer. Static Var
Compensators (SVCs) are installed to control voltages on
transmission lines by properly injecting or absorbing reactive
power. In the field of decentralized power generation, Voltage
Source Converters (VSCs) are used as interface devices for
integrating wind power generators into electrical power
systems. The tendency of applying modern power electronics
controlled devices at HV and EHV level will significantly
grow in the future.
Regarding Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) concept,
harmonics are considered as electromagnetic disturbances
causing voltage and current distortions, which negatively
affect not only voltage quality, but also system operation and
electrical equipments. In order to restrict voltage and current
distortion in electrical grids, harmonic voltages and currents
caused by each distorting installation have to be maintained
within the limit values.
IEC 61000-3-6 [1] is the technical report providing
guidelines for assessing harmonic emissions from distorting
facilities that are connected to MV, HV and EHV systems.
The method for allocating planning levels for harmonic
voltage limits, which are reference values for determining
harmonic emission limits, to individual distorting installation
connected to system nodes at HV and EHV under
consideration of network characteristics is proposed there.
Since these guidelines are created under simplifying
assumptions, there is no guarantee that this approach will
always provide the optimum solutions for every harmonic
situation [1]. Therefore, the recommended approach there
should be used with flexibility and appropriate engineering
judgment, when applying the given assessment procedure [1].
As the reason mentioned above, this paper introduces some
new concepts as the extension to the method proposed in
IEC 61000-3-6 [1] in order to achieve higher security in
allocation of planning levels and at the same time to suite
network calculations practically. At the end of this paper, the
application of the presented method is demonstrated in a
calculation example and the results are discussed.

II. ASSESSMENT OF EMISSION LIMITS FOR THE CONNECTION OF
DISTORTING INSTALLATIONS TO HV AND EHV SYSTEMS
According to IEC, distorting installation is defined as a
complete electrical installation (i.e. including distorting and
non-distorting parts), which can cause distortion of the voltage
or current in the connected supply system [1]. Regarding
harmonic aspects, distorting installations in any HV or EHV
networks will be assessed before installation in accordance
with three evaluation stages as recommended in IEC 61000-3-
6 [1]. Those evaluation three stages can be applied in
sequence or independently.
Stage 1: If power of the distorting installation compared to
the short circuit power at the point of connection is within the
limits (0.2 %), the distorting installation is allowed to connect
to the system without detailed evaluation.
Stage 2: Harmonic emission limits at every harmonic order
for each distorting installation will be determined under
consideration of system characteristics and network
development. Harmonic emission limits can be normally
interpreted as harmonic current limits since most of harmonic
sources behave like harmonic current sources. However,
planning levels for harmonic voltages are used by network
utilities as a basis for allocation of harmonic voltage limits.
Harmonic current limits from each distorting installation
connected at a node can be accordingly calculated from input
impedance and harmonic voltage limits at that node.
Harmonic voltages as well as currents have to be kept within
the allocated limits.
Stage 3: In exceptional cases, where the harmonic limits
are exceeded, connection of distorting installations is still
authorized by network utilities as long as no overall harmonic
problem in system occurs i.e. the total harmonic distortion of
voltage (THDU) for HV and EHV is lower than 3 % [1].
III. CONCEPT OF ALLOCATION OF PLANNING LEVELS FOR
HARMONIC VOLTAGES
The planning level is set by network utilities to be equal to
or lower than the compatibility level, which is the reference
value for coordinating the emission and immunity of electrical
equipment connected to the system.
Fig. 1. Partition of planning levels for harmonic voltages [6]
The concept of allocation of planning levels for harmonic
voltages to distorting installations in HV and EHV systems
according to the second evaluation stage (Stage 2) in
IEC 61000-3-6 is to share harmonic planning levels among
2
distorting installations under consideration of not only
harmonic emissions within the considered system, but also
from the neighboring systems at other voltage levels.
Furthermore, sufficient emission limits should be reserved for
the future connection of distorting installations. Portions of
planning levels for harmonic voltages known as harmonic
voltage limits will be distributed to system nodes where
distorting installations will be connected.
The allocation concept is illustrated in Fig. 1. The idea
behind this concept is that when all distorting installations
inject maximum harmonics regarding harmonic limits into
system, the total harmonic disturbance level anywhere in
system should not exceed the planning level [1].
IV. METHOD FOR SHARING PLANNING LEVELS FOR HARMONIC
VOLTAGES AT HV AND EHV LEVEL
In this section, the method for apportioning and allocating
planning levels for harmonic voltages at every harmonic order
to each distorting installation at HV and EHV under
consideration of system characteristics will be described. The
maximum acceptable harmonic voltage limits Ei (h) at the
considered node i (where new distorting installation is
expected) for harmonic order h can be calculated as in (1).
This equation is analog to [1].
1/ α ( h )
⎛ S ⎞
Ei ( h ) ≤ T ( h ) L ( h ) ⎜ * ti ⎟ (1)
⎜ S (h) ⎟
⎝ ti ⎠
where
i node where the new distorting installation
will be connected
Sti fundamental frequency total distorting
power installed at node i in MVA
St*i ( h ) modified total distorting power at node i
including influence of distorting installations
at other nodes for harmonic order h in MVA
α (h) summation law exponent
T( h ) utilization degree of planning level
L (h) planning level for harmonic voltage for
harmonic order h
According to the allocation concept in Fig. 1, the value of
Ei in (1) must be selected to fulfill the condition in (2) under
consideration of other distorting installations, so that the
overall planning level will not be exceeded after apportioning.
It should be noted that only harmonic voltage limits at nodes
where distorting installations are connected will be taken into
account in (2). Equation (2) is analog to [1]. Similar condition
as in (2) should be satisfied not only at the node of interest,
but also at all nodes in the considered system [1]. The
procedure for apportioning planning levels is illustrated in
diagram in Fig. 2.
(K ( h ) E1α ( h) ( h ) + K + K nα-i ( h ) Enα ( h) ( h ) )
1/ α ( h )
α
1- i ≤ T ( h ) L ( h ) (2)
 3

where harmonic order h. The influence coefficient Kj-i (h) is

n total number of system nodes equivalent to the ratio of harmonic voltages of node i to node j
K nα-i ( h ) influence coefficient between node n and i for as the result of harmonic current injection at node j for
harmonic order h harmonic order h, while harmonic current injections at other
nodes are neglected.
The values of L (h) depending on harmonic order are
suggested in [1]. Only indicative values of planning levels for uK ( h ) = YKK
-1
( h ) i K ( h ) = Z KK ( h ) i K ( h ) (3)
harmonic voltages are given there because planning levels will
differ from case to case, depending on network structure and Propagation of harmonic currents can be generally
network operators. The random behavior of harmonic analyzed by using Nodal Approach (NA) [14] as described in
amplitudes and phase angles in system is taken into account (3). The nodal impedance matrix ZKK(h) in (3) represents the
for calculating Ei(h) in (1), (2) through the summation law network topology at harmonic order h. All harmonic nodal
exponent α(h), whose value depending on harmonic order [1]. currents at harmonic order h, which are injected into system
By considering the random behavior of harmonics through the are included in iK(h) and result in harmonic nodal voltages
summation law exponent α, equations (1), (2) will be uK(h). Equation (3) can be written in a full form as in (4).
nonlinear.
⎡U 1 ⎤ ⎡ Z 11 L Z 1i Z1 j L Z 1n ⎤ ⎡ 0 ⎤
⎢ M ⎥ ⎢ M O M M N M ⎥⎥ ⎢ M ⎥
⎢ ⎥ ⎢ ⎢ ⎥
⎢ U i ⎥ ⎢ Z i1 L Z ii Z ij L Z in ⎥ ⎢ 0 ⎥
⎢ ⎥=⎢ ⎥⎢ ⎥ (4)
⎢U j ⎥ ⎢ Z j1 L Z ji Z jj L Z jn ⎥ ⎢ I j ⎥
⎢ M ⎥ ⎢ M O M M N M ⎥⎢ M ⎥
⎢ ⎥ ⎢ ⎥⎢ ⎥
⎣⎢U n ⎦⎥ ⎣⎢ Z n1 L Z ni Z nj L Z nn ⎦⎥ ⎣⎢ 0 ⎦⎥

Equation (4) describes harmonic nodal voltages due to I j,

Fig. 2. Procedure for apportioning planning levels at HV and EHV level
It is noted in IEC 61000-3-6 [1] to take into account not
only the existing installations, but also new installations that
could be connected to the system in the future, when
calculating emission limits. This concept is implemented in
this paper by introducing the utilization degree of the planning
level, which indicates how large partitions of planning levels
should be considered for the emission reserve in the future
(see Fig. 1). Therefore, the utilization degree T(h) in (1) as
well as in (2) should be varied between 0 and 1 depending on
the expected degree of harmonic distortion caused by the
future installations. By using the utilization degree, the
planning levels will not be fully utilized at each apportion at a
time. The utilization degree for non-characteristic harmonics
could be set higher, because they are rarely produced.
The fundamental frequency total distorting power Sti in (1)
includes all distorting facilities installed at the considered
node i exclusively. The effect of other distorting installations
on harmonic limits at the considered node i is expressed by the
modified total distorting power St*i ( h ) in (1) and the influence
coefficient K(h) in (2). The methods for determining K(h) and
St* ( h ) are demonstrated in the following subsection A and B,
respectively.
A. Determination of Influence Coefficient K(h)
The effect of existing distorting installations at other nodes
on the new installation at the considered node is integrated in
(2) and (6) through the influence coefficient K(h). The
influence coefficient Kj-i (h) shows the harmonic effect of the
existing distorting installations at node j on node i for
which is harmonic current injection at node j. (h) is not written
behind voltages, currents and impedances in (4), however they
are function of frequency. Harmonic nodal impedance matrix
in (4) obtained by doing inversion to harmonic nodal
admittance matrix which is set up under consideration of
network development in the future. Kj-i (h) due to harmonic
current injection at node j can be calculated for harmonic
order h directly from the harmonic nodal impedance matrix as
in (5).
Ui ( h) Zij ( h ) I j ( h ) Zij ( h )
K j -i ( h ) = = = (5)
U j (h) Z jj ( h ) I j ( h ) Z jj ( h )
In this paper, the influence coefficient Kj-i (h) describes the
effect on harmonic voltage at node i due to harmonic current
excitation instead of harmonic voltage excitation at node j as
stated in IEC 61000-3-6. This is more reasonable, because
most of harmonic sources in power systems behave like
current sources. However, the result in (5) would be identical
either due to harmonic voltage or current excitation. Fig. 3
illustrates the effect of the existing distorting installations at
node j on the new installation at node i through influence
coefficient Kj-i.
Fig. 3. Effect of existing distorting installations at node j and m on new
distorting installation at node i through influence coefficient Kj-i and Km-i

The influence coefficient due to the effect of harmonic
current injection on harmonic voltage at the same node e.g. Kj-
j (h) or Ki-i (h) is equal to 1. The influence coefficients K(h) are
functions of frequency and therefore, they have to be
calculated at every frequency of interest. It is noted that K(h)
are not complex values, since only their magnitudes are
required for all calculations here.
B. Calculation of Modified Total Distorting Power St* ( h )
In order to obtain Ei(h) regarding (1), the modified total
distorting power St* ( h ) has to be determined. As stated in [1],
the general equation for determining St*i ( h ) at node i for
harmonic order h under consideration of distorting
installations at other nodes is written in (6). The random
behavior of harmonics is expressed through α.
S t*i ( h ) = K1-αi ( h ) S t1 + K + K iα-i ( h ) S ti + ... + K nα-i ( h ) S tn
Only nodes where distorting installations are connected
will be enrolled in calculation of St*i ( h ) in (6). The terms on
the right hand side in (6) are taken into account as long as
their weights on St*i ( h ) are sufficiently high. In practice, only
a group of nodes, where large nearby distorting installations
are found, is important for calculating St*i ( h ) in (6). It is
recommended in [1] to include at least 2-3 nodes away from
nodes of interest for accurate assessment of the influence
coefficients, whereas the remote parts could be represented by
their equivalent impedances. Since the definition of the power
flowing out of nodes is not exactly defined in [1] whether
regarding direction of active or reactive power flow, it is
recommended here in contrast to [1] to neglect all power
flowing out of nodes for calculating St*i ( h ) in (6).
An example is created with the purpose to demonstrate
how to calculate S t* as described in (6). In Fig. 4, distorting
installations were previously installed at node 2 (SD2,1 and
SD2,2) and at node 5 (SD5). All of them are in operation. A
distorting installation SD1 is expected to be connected at node
1 in the future. SD1, SD5, SD2,1 and SD2,2 in Fig. 4 are power of
distorting installations at fundamental frequency. The
modified total distorting power at node 1 S t1* ( h ) for harmonic
order h can be calculated as in (7).
S t1* ( h ) = K1-1
α
( h ) SD1 + K 2-1
α
( h ) ( SD2,1 + SD2,2 ) + K5-1
α
( h ) SD5
It can be seen in (7) that only distorting installations at
node 1, 2 and 5 are taken into account for calculating S t1* ( h )
in (7). Other installed non-distorting power as well as power
flow between nodes are neglected.
4
Fig. 4. Power flow between nodes in a system
C. Determination of Harmonic Current Emission Limits
Since many distorting installations in power system behave
like harmonic current sources, it is therefore more suitable for
assigning the maximum harmonic current emission to
distorting installations instead of maximum harmonic
voltages. The harmonic current emission limits allowed at a
node can be calculated in dependence of input impedance and
harmonic nodal voltage limits. Equation (8) shows how
(6) harmonic current emission limits Imax,i at node i are calculated
from harmonic nodal voltage limits Ei and input impedance Zii
for harmonic order h.
Ei ( h )
I max,i ( h ) = (8)
Z ii ( h )
If there are many distorting installations connected at the
same node, they have to commonly share harmonic current
emission limits, which are assigned to that node. Fig. 5
describes allocation of harmonic current limits to many
distorting installations at node i.
Fig. 5. Allocation of harmonic current limits to many distorting installations
at node i
Equation (9) shows how harmonic current limit IDk,i
injecting from the kth distorting installation at node i can be
determined in dependence of harmonic current emission limits
Imax,i at node i, its fundamental frequency distorting power SDk,i
and the fundamental frequency total power Sti of all distorting
installations at node i. Consideration of random behavior of
harmonics through the summation law exponent α makes (9)
nonlinear.
(7)
1/ α ( h )
⎛S ⎞
I Dk,i ( h ) = I max,i ( h ) ⎜ Dk,i ⎟ (9)
⎝ S ti ⎠
Sti in (9) which could be calculated as shown in (10) is the
total distorting power at node i at fundamental frequency.
S ti = SD1,i + ... + S Dk,i (10)
 5

D. Consideration of global harmonic emission number of nodes in a system.

In most situations, harmonic distribution is not only
restricted to LV, MV or HV where they are produced, but they ⎡U 1 (h) ⎤ ⎡ Z 11 (h) ⎤ ⎡ Z 1n (h) ⎤
are distributed over the network. Dependent on the network ⎢U (h) ⎥ ⎢ Z (h) ⎥ ⎢ ⎥
⎢ 2 ⎥ = ⎢ 21 ⎥ I (h) + K + ⎢ Z 2 n (h) ⎥ I (h) (11)
characteristics, harmonics could flow downstream and/or ⎢ M ⎥ ⎢ M ⎥ 1
⎢ M ⎥ n
upstream from neighboring networks. These harmonic sources ⎢ ⎥ ⎢ ⎥ ⎢ ⎥
are called harmonic global emission and could have a ⎣U n (h) ⎦ ⎣ Z n1 (h) ⎦ ⎣ Z nn (h) ⎦
significant effect on allocation of harmonic emission limits at
the considered node. Equation (11) shows that different harmonic nodal currents
In [1], the effect of neighboring networks is integrated into are enrolled in calculation of harmonic nodal voltages based
allocation of planning levels through their equivalent on superposition theory. After extracting self impedance from
the corresponding impedance vector, equation (12) can be
impedances, which varies linearly with frequency. However,
obtained as the result.
this approach might not be correct, because this linear model
is only suitable for modeling linear loads. Therefore, this
u K (h) = Z 11 (h)t 1 (h) I 1 (h) + K + Z nn (h)t n (h) I n (h) (12)
approach would be recommended under simplifying
assumptions, where no detailed information about harmonics
from neighboring networks is known. Vector ti (h) in (12) contains current propagation factors as
In this subsection, the concept of taking harmonic global the consequence of harmonic current excitation at node i and
at harmonic order h. Current propagation factors imply the
emission (impact of disturbing installations at other voltage
impact degree of individual harmonic current excitation on
levels or remote networks) into account is proposed. This
specific harmonic nodal voltages. Current propagation factors
concept will be implemented by modifying the harmonic
could be also interpreted as harmonic voltage magnification
current emission limits in (8) and would be seen as the degrees compared to harmonic voltage at the harmonic
extension to (8), if downstream and/or upstream harmonics excitation node. Hence, current propagation factor at the
from neighboring networks are known. excitation node is one. Normally harmonic nodal voltages at
In common harmonic analyses, only a limited number of other nodes will be less than voltage at the excitation node and
system nodes will be considered in detail, whereas remote therefore, their current propagation factors are lower than one.
parts will be represented by equivalent harmonic sources and In case of resonance, current propagation factor is greater than
equivalent source impedances. Harmonics normally modelled one at node, where significant impact will be expected.
as frequency dependent current sources will distribute in The impact of several harmonic current excitations on
electrical power systems through network impedance, which specific harmonic nodal voltage could be expressed by current
represents power system elements in network. In this participation factors describing participation degrees of each
subsection, the method for analyzing harmonic distribution in current excitation on harmonic voltage. Vector t 1T (h) in (13)
electrical power systems under consideration of system contains current participation factors on harmonic voltage at
characteristics will be introduced. The proposed method could node 1.
be applied for evaluating the degree of harmonic propagation ⎡ I 1 ( h) ⎤
in systems. ⎢ ⎥
⎡ Z 12 (h) Z 1n (h) ⎤ ⎢ I 2 (h) ⎥
In this paper, it is assumed that all three-phase harmonics U 1 (h) = Z 11 (h) ⎢1 K ⎥
as well as the studied three-phase system are symmetrical. ⎣ Z 11 (h) Z 11 (h) ⎦ ⎢ M ⎥ (13)
⎢ ⎥
Therefore, harmonic analysis will be done with the ⎣ I n ( h) ⎦
symmetrical components. Symmetrical three-phase harmonics
= Z 11 (h) t 1 (h)i K (h)
T
could be classified into positive-, negative- or zero-sequence
component. This depends totally on the harmonic order of
interest [5]. The principle of current participation factors could be
Normally harmonics sources would be modeled as either applied for allocation of harmonic emission limits under
frequency dependent current or voltage source. This depends consideration of harmonic from upstream and downstream
on behavior of individual harmonic source. Most of harmonic systems. If the harmonic nodal voltage limits E1 at node 1 is
sources in electrical power systems behave like harmonic known, the harmonic current emission limits Imax,1 at node 1
current sources. By using Thevenin-Norton theory [14], could be determined as in (14).
harmonic voltage sources could be transformed into harmonic
current sources and therefore, all harmonic problems would be ⎡ I 2 ( h) ⎤
E1 (h) ⎡ Z 12 (h) Z 1n (h) ⎤ ⎢ ⎥
treated as harmonic current excitations. −⎢ K ⎥ M ⎥ = I max,1 (h) (14)
Z 11 (h) ⎣ Z 11 (h) Z 11 (h) ⎦ ⎢
The following sensitivity analysis will be performed in ⎢⎣ I n (h) ⎥⎦
order to analyze harmonic propagation at each frequency.
Nodal equations as stated in (3) for calculating harmonic Only elements in current vector in (14) representing global
nodal voltages can be decomposed accordingly to individual harmonic emissions (harmonic currents from equivalent
harmonic current excitation as in (11), where n is the total networks) are considered. Other elements representing local

currents will be neglected by setting to zero. This is due to the
fact that the effects of local harmonic currents from the nearby
distorting installations have already been included in the
previous step for calculating the harmonic nodal voltage limits
E and should not be taken into account again. This concept is
illustrated in Fig. 6.
Fig. 6. Concept of determination of harmonic emission limit under
consideration of future, local and global emissions
V. CALCULATION EXAMPLE
In this chapter, a calculation example is given to
demonstrate the application of the proposed method in this
paper for sharing planning levels of harmonic voltages and
allocating harmonic current emission limits in a 5-node
balanced test system at 110 kV in Fig. 7.
′′ = 3 GVA
S k,3
Fig. 7. 5-node test system at 110-kV level
One wind park (WP) of 50 MW operated with fully
controlled synchronous generators is planned to be connected
to the system at node 5 in the near future. These wind
generators equipped with fully controlled inverters to control
output voltage and to match output frequency with system
operating frequency are known as harmonic sources injecting
harmonics into system. Thus, harmonic emission limits have
to be assigned to the point of connection (node 5) in the
network planning phase and the wind park operator is
responsible for keeping harmonic emissions within the
allocated limits. Nonlinear loads as the existing distorting
installations are found at node 1, 2 and 4. An equivalent
network at node 3 represents the downstream network.
For harmonic analyses in symmetrical systems, it is
recommended to apply the method of symmetrical
components. The sequence component has to be selected
according to the considered harmonic order [5]. Models of
power system elements and their parameters for the positive
and zero sequence components used in test system are given
in Table I. Parameters for the negative sequence component
are assumed to be identical to those for the positive sequence
component.
The acceptable harmonic voltage limits at node 5 will be a
fraction of the 110-kV planning level LHV as given in Table II.
6
From this harmonic voltage limits, the harmonic emission
limits will be accordingly calculated. In order to demonstrate
the effect of global and future emission on the values of
harmonic emission limits in a simple way, the harmonic
voltage limits in the following three scenarios will be
calculated by considering only (1) for the sake of simplicity.
Emission limits for the characteristic harmonic order 5, 7, 11
and 13 at node 5 will be determined in this example.
TABLE I
MODELING NETWORK ELEMENTS IN FIG. 7 AND THEIR PARAMETERS FOR
SIMULATIONS IN CALCULATION EXAMPLE
Network Elements Modeling and Parameters
Wind Park (WP) Ideal harmonic currents: S5 = 50 MW
Transmission Lines Concentrated Π–model
L1, L2, L3, L4 and L5 R1′ = 27.3 mΩ/km, R0′ = 177.3 mΩ/km
L1′ = 0.8 mH/km, L0′ = 2.0 mH/km
G1′ = 17 nS/km, G0′ = 3 nS/km
C1′ = 14.2 nF/km, C0′ = 3.0 nF/km
l1 = 50 km, l2 = 70 km, l3 = 30 km
l4 = 20 km, l5 = 100 km
Nonlinear Loads S1 = 25 MW, S2 = 50 MW, S4 = 100 MW
Equivalent Network Ideal harmonic currents
at Node 3 i3,5 = 1 %, i3,7 = 1 %,
i3,11 = 0.5 %, i3,13 = 0.5 %
Scenario 1
In this scenario, global and future emissions will not be
taken into account. The planning level for harmonic voltage
will be fully utilized under the current situation and therefore,
the utilization degree T will be set to 1. This approach is used
in the calculation example given in IEC 61000-3-6 [1]. The
nodal admittance matrix of the test system will be built by
taking equivalent network, but no nonlinear loads into
account.
Scenario 2
In this scenario, global and future emissions will be
considered, but not simultaneously. Due to the future
emission, the utilization degree T will be set to 0.9. This is the
sample value used for this example. The global harmonic
emission from the neighbouring network given in Table I
(worst case upper values) will be applied to (14) and
therefore, the modified emission limits at node 5 under
consideration of global emission will be obtained. The nodal
admittance matrix of the test system will be built without
equivalent network and nonlinear loads.
Scenario 3
In this scenario, it is assumed that no detail about harmonic
currents from the downstream network is available. However,
the effect of global emission should be included in sharing
planning levels. Therefore, global and future emissions will be
simultaneously considered by assigning the utilization degree
T to 0.7, which is lower than in scenario 2 due to the global
emission. The nodal admittance matrix of the test system will
be built without equivalent network and nonlinear loads as in
scenario 2.
 7

recommended, if the effect of harmonics from the neighboring

Equations used in this calculation example are listed as follows. networks should be approximated. However, the estimation
could result in extreme low emission limits, which might not
S t1 = 25 MW; S t 2 = 50 MW; S t 4 = 100 MW; S t5 = 50 MW be related to the real situation. In order to keep harmonic
S t5 ( h ) = K1-5 ( h ) S t1 + K 2-5 ( h ) S t 2 + K 4-5 ( h ) S t 4 + S t5
* α α α emission within the limits, installation of filters (passive
and/or active) might be necessary. Typical harmonic emission
1/ α ( h )
⎛ S ⎞ from wind generators are provided in [11], [12] and [13].
E5 ( h ) ≤ TLHV ( h ) ⎜⎜ * t5 ⎟⎟
⎝ S t5 ( h ) ⎠
TABLE IV

E (h)
HARMONIC CURRENT EMISSION LIMITS AT NODE 5 (IMAX,5) IN PERCENT OF THE
I max,5 ( h ) = 5 for scenario 1 and 3 FUNDAMENTAL RATED CURRENT OF WP ACCORDING TO SCENARIO 1, 2 AND 3
Z 55 ( h ) (ONLY RESULTS AT HARMONIC ORDER 5, 7, 11 AND 13)

E5 (h) − Z 53 (h) I 3 (h) h Imax,5 (h) Imax,5 (h) Imax,5 (h)

I max,5 (h) = for scenario 2 Scenario 1 Scenario 2 Scenario 3
Z 55 (h)
5 3.64 % 1.16 % 2.54 %
7 4.10 % 1.70 % 2.88 %
α
Influence coefficients K1-5 ( h ) , K2-5
α
( h ) , and K4-5
α
( h ) for 11 3.92 % 2.82 % 2.74 %
each harmonic order of interest can be calculated in 13 3.52 % 2.58 % 2.46 %
dependence on elements of harmonic nodal impedance matrix
(see (4) and (5)), which is a 5×5 matrix in this test system. The VI. SUMMARY OF MODIFICATIONS IN CONTRAST TO METHOD
IN IEC 61000-3-6
impedance matrix is identical in scenario 2 and 3, but different
from scenario 1. However, this difference is not so significant The following modifications have been done in this paper
and therefore, the nodal impedance matrix could be assumed in contrast to the method corresponding to the second
to be identical for all three scenarios. The values of the evaluation stage (Stage 2) in IEC 61000-3-6 [1].
influence coefficients used for this calculation is calculated • Planning levels should be set to lower values than those
and given in Table III. The results of harmonic voltage limits given in IEC by using the utilization degree T introduced
and harmonic current emission limits at the characteristic in (1) and (2) in this paper, if reserve of future emission
harmonic order h = 5, 7, 11 and 13 are summarized in Table II limits is taken into account. The utilization degree could be
and IV. understood as the additional security factor.
TABLE II • Instead of equivalent impedances representing neighboring
HARMONIC VOLTAGE PLANNING LEVELS AND HARMONIC VOLTAGE LIMITS networks as assumed in IEC, the downstream/upstream
AT NODE 5 (E5) IN PERCENT OF THE FUNDAMENTAL VOLTAGE ACCORDING TO harmonics (global emission) are considered in this paper in
SCENARIO 1, 2 AND 3 (ONLY RESULTS AT HARMONIC ORDER 5, 7, 11 AND 13)
detail. The method proposed in IEC as stated in (8) is
h LHV (h) E5(h) E5 (h) E5 (h) extended under consideration of global harmonics flowing
(IEC) Scenario 1 Scenario 2 Scenario 3 from the equivalent networks as introduced in (14). This
concept would lead to lower values of harmonic emission
5 2.00 % 0.73 % 0.66 % 0.51 % limits than normal. However, it is especially reasonable, if
7 2.00 % 0.79 % 0.71 % 0.55 %
the considered system is connected to lower voltage
11 1.50 % 0.89 % 0.81 % 0.63 %
13 1.50 % 0.91 % 0.82 % 0.64 % networks with high degree of harmonic disturbance. This
is due to the harmonic behavior flowing into lower
TABLE III
impedance networks (from lower to higher voltage level).
SUMMATION LAW EXPONENT AND INFLUENCE COEFFICIENTS USED IN THIS • If no detail about global emission is available, it is
CALCULATION
recommended to decrease the utilization degree as the
h α(h) α
K1-5 ( h) α
K 2-5 ( h) α
K 4-5 ( h) alternative and therefore, the harmonic voltage limits and
as a consequence harmonic emission limits will be
5 1.4 0.84 0.80 0.99 reduced. In this case, the utilization degree will support not
7 1.4 0.66 0.63 0.96 only the reserve for the future emission, but also more
11 2 0.39 0.42 0.88 security in allocation of local emission limits due to global
13 2 0.34 0.37 0.87 emission.
• The influence coefficients K(h) are alternatively
Among three studied scenarios, the results in scenario 1 show determined by using impedance ratio as a consequence of
the highest harmonic voltage and current limits. This is due to harmonic current excitations at the neighboring nodes
no consideration of the future and global emission. Scenario 2 instead of harmonic voltage excitations as proposed in
considering exact harmonic flows from downstream network IEC. However, the identical results are expected.
delivers quite low harmonic current limits at h = 5 and 7, but Therefore, the assumption of both harmonic current and
comparable values to scenario 3 at h = 11 and 13. The voltage excitations would contribute to the same influence
approach in scenario 3 by combining the effect of the future
coefficients.
and global emissions in the utilization factor would be

VII. CONCLUSION
The effect of the global and future harmonic emissions
should not be neglected for allocation of harmonic planning
levels. By considering the emission reserve through utilization
degree and global emission, the total disturbance level
anywhere in the system should not exceed the planning level
when all distorting installations are injecting levels of
harmonic distortion equal to their emission limits.
If the detail of harmonics flowing from downstream or
upstream networks is available, the modified method for
determination of the emission limits as proposed in this paper
could be used as the alternative to determine emission limits.
The appropriate results could only be achieved, if the
reasonable value for the utilization degree is chosen.
Therefore, further research in this direction is necessary.
The proposed method in this paper can be seen as the
extension to the method proposed in IEC 61000-3-6 [1]. This
concept can be directly applied by utilities for network
calculations without complicated algorithms. With the
presented method in this paper, higher security in allocation of
planning levels under consideration of global and future
emissions could be achieved.
All calculations will be performed under consideration of
system absorption capacity and system characteristics due to
possible system expansion i.e. the allocated harmonic limits
will be valid for a specific period in the future. The owners of
distorting installations are responsible for maintaining their
harmonic emissions within the allocated limits in order to
avoid harmonic disturbance to neighboring installations,
electrical equipments in system and system operation.
In practice, the allocated planning levels might be
sometimes extremely low and exceeded for some harmonic
orders at some locations in network, even though problems at
that harmonic order are not so critical. Hence, it might not be
reasonable to allocate too low planning levels to some
harmonic orders without considering the actual harmonic
propagation behaviour in the considered system and in
neighbouring systems.
No resonance situation is considered in this paper. If
resonances are expected at the frequency range of interest
where extremely high influence coefficients occur, it is
recommended to modify the influence coefficients with the
reduction factor as stated in IEC 61000-3-6 [1].
VIII. REFERENCES
[1] IEC/TR 61000-3-6: Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) – Part 3-6:
Limits – Assessment of emission limits for the connection of distorting
installations to MV, HV and EHV power systems, Edition 2.0, 2008.
[2] IEC/TR 61000-3-6: Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) – Part 3:
Limits – Section 6: Assessment of emission limits for distorting loads in
MV and HV power systems – Basic EMC publication, Edition 1.0, 1996.
[3] IEEE Standard 519: IEEE Recommended Practices and Requirements
for Harmonic Control in Electrical Power Systems, 1992.
[4] IEEE Harmonics Model and Simulation Task Force, “Modeling and
Simulation of the Propagation of Harmonics in Electric Power
Networks: Part I Concepts, Models, and Simulation Techniques,” IEEE
Transactions on Power Delivery, Vol. 11, No. 1, pp. 452-465, 1996.
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Assessment, Chichester, England: John Wiley & Sons Ltd, 2000, pp.
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[6] M. McGranaghan and G. Beaulieu, “Update on IEC 61000-3-6:
Harmonic Emission Limits for Customers Connected to MV, HV, and
8
EHV,” in Proc. IEEE PES Transmission and Distribution Conferences
and Exhibition, pp. 1158-1161, 2005/2006.
[7] V. J. Gosbell, T. J. Browne, and S. Perera, “Harmonic Allocation Using
IEC/TR 61000-3-6 at the Distribution/Transmission Interface,” in Proc.
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(ICHQP), 2008.
[8] T. J. Browne, V. J. Gosbell, S. Perera, D. A. Robinson, L. M. Falla, P. J.
Windle, and A. C. D. Perera, “Experience in the application of IEC/TR
61000-3-6 to harmonic allocation in transmission systems,” CIGRE,
Paris, Paper C4-401, September 2006.
[9] G. Borloo, E. De Jaeger, M. Dussart, and A. Robert, “Practical
implementation of IEC publications 61000-3-6 and 61000-3-7
Experiences in Belgium,” in Proc. International Conference on
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[10] M. Bollen, M. Häger, and M. Olofsson, “Allocation of emission limits
for individual emitters at different voltage levels: flicker and
harmonics”, CIGRE Sessions, Paris, August 2010, paper C4.106.
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and Interharmonic Distortion due to a windpark,” in Proc. IEEE PES
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[12] S. T. Tentzerakis, and S. A. Papathanassiou, “An Investigation of the
Harmonic Emissions of Wind Turbines,” IEEE Transactions on Energy
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1775, 2008.
[14] J. Choma, Jr., Electrical Networks: Theory and Analysis, John Wiley &
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IX. BIOGRAPHIES
Chanchai Amornvipas (1977) was born in
Bangkok/Thailand. He received the B.Sc. degree in
electrical engineering from Chulalongkorn
University, Bangkok, Thailand in 1999 and the
M.Sc. degree in electrical power engineering from
RWTH Aachen University, Germany in 2002. In
2008, he received the Dr.-Ing. Degree from Leibniz
Universität Hannover in Germany where he was a
research engineer and teaching associate at the
Institute of Electric Power Systems, Division of
Power Supply from 2003 to 2008. During 2008 and
2009, he worked as a consultant at Power Technologies International, Siemens
AG in Erlangen, Germany. Since 2009, he continues doing researches and
teaching at the Institute of Electric Power Systems, Division of Power Supply
at Leibniz Universität Hannover. His research interests are modeling and
simulation of electric power systems, transient analyses, power system
harmonics and power quality.
Lutz Hofmann (1968) was born in Bad
Oeynhausen/Germany. He received the degree
Dipl.-Ing. as well as the degree Dr.-Ing. in 1994 and
1997, respectively, from Leibniz Universität
Hannover. In 2002 he concluded his professorial
dissertation in electric power engineering. In 2002
and 2003 he worked as a project manager for the
engineering and consultant company Fichtner in
Stuttgart. From 2004 to 2007 he worked for the
german transmission system operator E.ON Netz
GmbH, Bayreuth in the network planning
department. Since 2007 he is Full Professor and Head of the Institute of
Electric Power Systems at Leibniz Universität Hannover, Germany. His
current research interests are modeling and simulation of electric power
systems, integration of renewable and decentralized energy sources and power
quality.