VOLTAGE PROBLEMS

• HIGH / LOW : Can be corrected by

transformer tap-changing and reactive
compensation : shunt / series capacitors,
reactors, SVC, MVAR generation change.

• SWELLS & SAGS, SPIKES & DIPS,

FLICKER : Caused by switching on / off
of large loads, capacitor banks, electric
furnaces, welding machines.
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• PHASE UNBALANCE : Caused by single
- phase or unbalanced loads (e.g. railway
traction), pole - discrepancy, break in a
phase (conductor snapping), break in
neutral, hanging faults, non-transposition.

• WAVE FORM DISTORTIONS

(HARMONICS and DC offset) : caused by
HVDC, SVC, FACTS, Converters, UPS,
power / speed controllers, computers,
TVs, chargers, printers, tube-lights, CFLs,
fan regulators, electronic ballasts,
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communication equipment, arc furnaces,
welding, railway traction, etc.
Circuit breaker and isolator operation
(switching transients), L.A., transformer
magnetizing current inrush, lightning,
Faults and their clearance, insulator flash-
over, corona, faulty grounding.

Adverse effects : Over-heating & noise,

resonance, telephone interference, hum,
capacitor failure, mal-operation of control
device and medical equipment. 3
POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS : Circuit
segregation, harmonic filters, U.P.S.
DAMPING by synchronous and induction
machines.

A use of harmonics: Harmonic restraint in

transformer differential relays.

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 Simple examples around us :

• Ceiling fan regulators

• Tube lights

• Lap-tops & peripherals

• Domestic inverters

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Ceiling fans -- 1- ph Induction motors,
shaded - pole or split - winding, inverted.

Fan regulators -- 3 different types:

i) Choke : weighty, costly, low PF
ii) Resistor : energy loss, heating
iii) Electronic : voltage and current
distortions, harmful on both sides.

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Supply voltage and fan current, regulated by old
resistance type regulator, at full-speed

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Supply voltage and fan current, regulated by old
resistance type regulator, at low speed

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Fan current, regulated by electronic regulator,
at full speed

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Fan current, regulated by electronic regulator,
at low speed

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Harmonics in fan current, at low speed,
with electronic regulator

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Voltage wave form, after electronic regulator

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Harmonics in fan voltage, at low speed

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Tube lights : non-linear discharge lamps.
Smoothening & PF improvement by choke
and capacitor. Not a serious problem.

Electronic ballasts : V & I distortions ?

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Tube light current waveform

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Lap-tops & peripherals : AC / DC
adapters draw non-sinusoidal current.

Domestic inverters : Battery charging

current is always non-sinusoidal.

INDUSTRIAL U.P.S.

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Voltage Wave form – UPS output

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Harmonics in UPS output voltage

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 IEEE Standard 519 - 1992

Recommended Practices and Requirements for

Harmonic Control in Electrical Power Systems

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