Case Study: Effect of Non-linear Load on

Distribution System

A Report Submitted to the Department of Civil Engineering at Salahaddin

University-Erbil in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirement for the Degree of
Master of Science in Civil Engineering

Prepared by:
Tana Taher Azeez
(MSc Student)

Supervised by:
Hilmi Padhil
(Assistant Professor)

Erbil-Kurdistan
December, 2017
ABSTRACT
A load will be linear when it takes out a current from the source which is related
to the voltage (linear). And in the case of “non-linear” load, impedance changes
with applied voltage. The current drawn from such non-linear load is also non-
linear i.e. non-sinusoidal even when it is connected to a sinusoidal voltage source.
Harmonic currents contents which are present in non-sinusoidal currents
intermingle with the impedance of the power distribution system to create voltage
distortion which affects the distribution system and the loads connected to it. The
serious power-line pollution is a result of increasing use of power electronic
systems and time-variant nonlinear loads in industry. Hence, power supply quality
is degraded. It results in the reduction of system efficiency, apparatus overheating,
and increase power. As the utilization of the number of harmonics-producing
loads has increased over the years.

Keywords

Non-linear loads, harmonic currents, power distribution system, voltage

distortion, power signal quality, harmonic distortion.

1 INTRODUCTION
Because of the constantly expanding number of nonlinear loads on distribution
systems, the existence of harmonics, nowadays, is inevitable. It has caused the
increase of waveform voltage and current supply distortions with the consequent
loss in the power quality and as a result voltage and current waveforms are rarely
sinusoidal. Also damage of the components of the networks has been produced
such as in user’s equipment. In addition, distribution systems are quite often
unbalanced in nature. This necessitates the study of the combined effect of
unbalance and nonlinearity on power system voltages and currents. The increase
in recent decades of electrical equipment that produce harmonics has posed severe
problems for electrical networks and power quality. Sinusoidal voltages or
currents, the frequency of which are a multiple of the fundamental frequency (50
Hz) of the power system are called harmonics. Effect of harmonic presence is
considerable in all sections of power systems such as distribution, transmission
and generation.

The main sources of harmonic currents and voltage respectively, in power

systems, are nonlinear loads. All appliances including power electronic switches
operate as non-linear loads. Such load devices are increasingly being used both by
residential and industrial customers. In order to evaluate the effects of harmonics
in the network, first it is necessary to define the real characteristics of harmonics
produced by different loads. Secondly, the characteristics of examined system
with respect to distortive loads need to be known. Third, the proper method is
needed to evaluate the harmonic presence impact.

High harmonic voltage levels and harmonic load currents, regardless of the
source, will lead to operating problems on the electric power distribution system.
These problems, which include equipment heating, overvoltage, and load
disruption, have been discussed in (Key and Lai 1993) (IEEE Standard 519-1992,
1993).
This standard provides recommended practices for the harmonic evaluation of
electrical power systems, which is widely accepted by the industries and utilities.
European standard EN 50160 is set the boundaries for harmonic voltages. In
addition there are recommendations for harmonic current, mainly following
IEEE519(Key and Lai 1993).

There is a great set of relevant papers in literature about influence of distortive

harmonics on distribution networks and power quality in general. Mainly, they
discuss about the harmonic loading capacity of the distribution networks and the
sources of the harmonic currents and voltages on the system. These previously
done works have significant benefits for researchers; they make the readers have
realistic view on the effects of harmonic currents and their causes, and provide
several models for harmonic analysis in different system environments.

2 LITERATURE REVIEW
Tremendous work has been done for harmonics, their analysis and various
mitigation techniques of harmonics. For the reliable and efficient operation of any
system a properly designed electrical system is necessary. And the system should
be harmonic free. For this purpose, capacitors in harmonic environment are
applied. They are beneficial because they result in minimized THD, improved
power factor and elimination of power factor penalties(Andrews, Bishop et al.
1996) [3]. Lucian Asiminoae, Sergej Kalaschnikow and Steffan Hansen have
discussed two harmonic detection methods. The methods are selective harmonic
compensation and overall harmonic compensation (Durdhavale and Ahire 2016)
[4].

An innovative method is presented for measurement of individual harmonics of a

time-varying frequency. This proposed method is based on a nonlinear, adaptive
mechanism. This technique offers the higher degree of accuracy, frequency-
adaptively (Karimi-Ghartemani and Iravani 2005)[5]. David M. McNamara, K.
Ziarani presented a new method of measurement of harmonics of time-varying
frequency. This proposed method is based on the adaptive evaluation of the
fundamental frequency and its harmonic components of the power signal
(McNamara, Ziarani et al. 2007)[6]. A system made from a combination of the
ARM9 chip and virtual instrument technology is designed for a real-time
harmonic measurement. This system is presented in the paper (Xie and Yang
2010)[7].Frequency is a significant factor for harmonics measurement. The paper
contains a review of several commonly used methods for power system
harmonics measurement. And those methods are compared according to the
aspect of frequency identification (Chang and Chen 2010)[8]. This paper gives a
new idea for harmonic detection adopting the algorithm with combination of FFT
with and wavelet transform. This instrument can obtain parameters of harmonic
(Durdhavale and Ahire 2016)[9]. Hsiung Cheng Lin developed a strategy of
recursive group-harmonic power minimizing for system harmonic and inter
harmonic evaluation in power systems. The proposed algorithm can measure
integer harmonic and the inter harmonics also identified accurately (Lin 2012)
[10].

Harmonic components and harmonic distortion can be calculated using distortion

meter. This paper presents the harmonic distortion meter based on microcontroller
and its software part carries out calculations using DFT. DFT is used to find
amplitude in order to measure THD in power system (Bhatti and Asati 2012)[11].
In this review paper an author has discussed abundant for selective harmonic
detection methods in frequency domain as well as in time domain like DFT, FFT,
SOGI technique and CDSP-PLL systems(Wang and Li 2013) [12]. To estimate
the fundamental frequency and to measure both harmonics and inter harmonics of
any unknown frequency is not an easy task. But using the adaptive notch filter
this can be done. This methodology measures fundamental frequency and
harmonic and inter harmonic components fast (Chu, Ding et al. 2013)[13].
Usage of non-linear loads in power system results in poor power quality. These
loads are leading to harmonic sources; and this has become much serious
problem. One of the widely used algorithms for harmonic analysis is Fast Fourier
Transform (FFT). In this project, a harmonic analyzer is implemented using FFT
on ARM7 core processor (LPC2138). For matching power rating the supply
voltage is divided to 6V using the voltage divider. This harmonic analyzer can
analyze harmonics in single phase supply and gives frequency spectrum of
harmonics. This system has the advantage of being available in at low
cost(Omishat 2017) [15]. A constant wave Terahertz spectrometer is integrated
with 1X2 LiNbO3 which is fiber coupled and customized optical phase modulator
which allows direct modulation of Terahertz (THz) beam and measurement of the
1st and 2nd harmonics of modulation. Thus, using optical phase modulation rather
than bias modulation harmonics measurement is carried out(Demers, Kasper et al.
2014) [17]. We know that harmonics is a very basic property of power quality. So
it has become necessary a thing to measure these harmonics. Instead of using
traditional measurement device a new method to detect and measure harmonics is
presented. This device consists of the analog to digital converter, FFT unit, LCD
display unit, and network communication unit. This methodology adopts FPGA
and DSP processor. Experimental results show that using presented device more
accuracy is obtained and harmonic power flow is also analyzed (Guihong, Jing et
al. 2005)[18].

3 LOAD CHARACTERISTICS
The voltage waveforms generated at centralized power plants and then stepped up
to a transmission voltage level generally are very close to ideal (i.e.
sinusoidal)and have negligible distortion. The nature of major transmission
devices such as transmission lines, cables, and transformers are quite linear, thus
they cause little distortion to voltage or current waveforms. However, variable
frequency drives and uninterruptible power supplies which use electronic devices
to rectify ac to dc and then invert back to ac are nonlinear devices. Several loads
are nonlinear such as switch mode power supplies and fluorescent light ballasts
and, of course, frequency converters of motor drives used in different applications
both in industry and dwelling. Generated nonlinear currents result in distorted
voltages and currents that can adversely impact the system performance in
different ways. Since the number of harmonic producing loads has increased over
the years, it has become increasingly necessary to address their influence when
making any additions or changes to an installation. To adequate appreciate the
impact of this phenomenon there are two important concepts to keep in mind with
regard to power system harmonics. The first is the nature of harmonic-current
producing loads (non-linear loads) and the second is the way in which harmonic
currents flow and how the resulting harmonic voltages develop.

3.1 LINEAR AND NON-LINEAR LOADS

The objective of the electric utility is to supply their consumers with sinusoidal
voltage at fairly constant magnitude. This objective is complicated by the fact that
non-linear currents exist. Nonlinear currents can originate from any of three
causes:

• Non-sinusoidal generation of voltage (load generation).

• Non-linear devices used in the transmission of electrical energy.

• Non-linear load devices.

3.1.1 Linear load

A linear element in a power system is a component in which the current is

proportional to the voltage at any time. In general, this means that the current
waveform (sinusoidal) will be the same as the voltage. Typical examples of linear
loads include: Power Factor improvement capacitors, motors, and resistive loads
as heating resistors, incandescent lamps.

1 Resistive Linear load

Typical example of linear loads in home is resistive heating elements, both for
space and water heating and in candescent lamps. The voltage and current wave
form in circuit with linear resistive loads are in phase with another as shown in
figure 1.resistive linear loads affect the amplitude of the network voltage

Figure 1Resistive Loads

2 Reactive Linear loads

Reactive Linear loads are Loads which contain Inductive and capacitive
components .if the Load is Capacitive , the current wave form will shift to the left
of the voltage wave form , so the current ‘leads’ the voltage as shown in figure 2 .

Figure 2Capacitive Loads

If the load is Inductive, the current waveform will shift to the right of the voltage
wave form so the current ‘lags’ voltage as shown in figure 3
 Figure 3Inductive Loads

3.1.2 Non-linear load

For Non-linear loads change the shape of the current waveform from a sine wave
to some other form .The nature of non-linear loads is to generate harmonics in the
current waveform. This distortion of the current waveform eventually leads to
distortion of the voltage waveform, especially if the feeding grid is weak (large
impedance) and proportion of non-sinusoidal currents is high enough. Under these
conditions, the voltage waveform is no longer proportional to the current. Typical
examples of non-linear loads include: rectifiers (power supplies, discharge
lighting, UPS units), adjustable speed motor drives, ferromagnetic devices, DC
motor drives and arcing equipment (arc furnaces).

In Typical electronic power unit, a capacitor charges for a short period of the peak
of the voltage waveform via diodes, for the rest of the supply half cycle, the
diodes are reverse biased and no current flow from the supply. The current
waveform thus consist of short pulses forward of the voltage peaks in figure 4.

Figure 4Switched Capacitive Load

As the resistance of the residential power distribution network itself is finite and
not zero, during this non sinusoidal current causes a corresponding change in the
voltage of the residential power distribution network as shown in figure 5

Figure 5Switched Capacitive Load Effect on Voltage

3.1.3 Waveform shape type

The current drawn by non-linear loads is not sinusoidal but still it is periodic,
meaning that the current wave remains the same from cycle to cycle.
Mathematically, periodic waveforms can be
described as a series of sinusoidal waveforms
that have been summed together

4 HARMONICS

Harmonics are a mathematical way of Figure 6 Waveform with symmetrical harmonic

describing distortion to a voltage or current waveform. The term harmonic refers

to a component of a waveform that occurs at an integer multiple of the
fundamental frequency [1]. And the objective of the electric utility is to deliver
sinusoidal voltage at fairly constant magnitude throughout their system. This
objective is complicated by the fact that there are non- linear loads on the system
that produce harmonic currents. These non-linear elements generate network
voltages with frequencies different from the network frequency or absorb currents
with non-sinusoidal waveforms. The widespread and growing of these loads has
greatly increased the flow of harmonic currents on facility distribution systems.
The interest on problems related to nonlinear devices and their influence on the
systems increased considerably since 1980. This is due to the development of new
power semiconductor devices and, as a consequence, the development of new
converters that affects linearity in electric power signals substantially. The
increase on the utilization of electronic equipment modified the sinusoidal nature
of electrical signals. This equipment increases the current waveform distortion
and, as a consequence, increment the voltage waveform distortion [2] [3].

4.1 CAUSES OF HARMONICS

Harmonics were mainly caused by magnetization nonlinearity, and recently,

devices causing harmonics are present in all industrial, commercial, and
residential installations as nonlinear loads. Some examples of harmonic producing
loads are electric arc furnaces, static VAR compensators, inverters, DC
converters, switch-mode power supplies, and AC or DC motor drives [1].

The load is said to be nonlinear when the current it draws does not have the same
waveform as the supply voltage. Mostly, this load is represented by the device
comprising power electronics circuits such as

• Industrial equipment (welding machines, arc furnaces, induction furnaces,

rectifiers),

• Variable speed drives for asynchronous and DC motors,

• Office equipment (PCs, photocopy machines, fax machines, etc.),

• Household appliances (TVs, microwave ovens, fluorescent lighting, etc.),

• Uninterruptible power supplies (UPSs), and

• Saturation of equipment (essentially transformers) may cause nonlinear currents.

In the case of a motor drive, the AC current at the input to the rectifier looks more
like square wave than a sine wave. The rectifier can be thought of as a harmonic
current source and produces roughly the same amount of harmonic current over a
wide range of power system impedances. The characteristic current harmonics
that are produced by a rectifier are determined by the pulse number. The
following equation allows determination of the characteristic harmonics for a
given pulse number [4]:

𝑛 = 𝑘𝑞 ± 1
Where: n is the harmonic number (integer multiple of the fundamental), k is any

Positive integer and q is the pulse number of the converter.

This means that a 6-pulse (or 3-phase) rectifier will exhibit harmonics at the 5th,
7th, 11th, 13th, 17th, 19th, 23rd, 25th, etc. multiples of the fundamental. The
magnitudes of the harmonic currents will be the fundamental current divided by
the harmonic number (e.g. the magnitude of the 5th harmonic would be about
1/5th of the fundamental current). A 12-pulse (or 6-phaserectifier) will, in theory,
produce harmonic currents at the 11th, 13th, 23rd, 25th, etc. multiples. In reality,
a small amount of the 5th, 7th, 17th and 19th harmonics will be present with a 12-
pulsesystem (typically the magnitudes will be on the order of about 10 percent of
those for a 6-pulsedrive).

Figure 7Resultant waveform of system having 3rd, 5th and 7th harmonics

Variable frequency drives also produce harmonic currents at the output of the
inverter which are seen by the motor. Most of these harmonics are integer
multiples of the inverter operating frequency and not the power supply frequency,
but little generalization can be made about their magnitude since this varies
greatly with the type of drive and the switching algorithm for the inverter
semiconductors. Some "inter-harmonic" currents may also be present at the input
or the output of the drive. Inter-harmonics do not fit the classical definition of
harmonics since they do not necessarily occur at integer multiples of the power
supply or inverter fundamental frequency. Harmonics can occur on the input at
the power system frequency plus or minus the inverter operating frequency [3]
[4].

4.2 EFFECTS OF HARMONICS

Harmonics creates a big challenge for engineers because they poses more
distortion in voltage. The effect of triplex harmonics come with overheating in
wires, overheating in transformer units and also may become the cause of end
user equipment failure. Triplex harmonics overheat the neutral conductor of 4
wire system. the neutral have generally no fundamental frequency or even
harmonics but there may be existence of odd harmonics in system neutral
conductor and when there is system consist of triplex harmonics it is become
additive. These triplex frequency impact on the system can be understand by this
way that even under balanced load condition on the account of triplex frequency
neutral current magnitude reaches up to 1.75 times of average phase current [6].
Under above discussed case if the load of system increase may become cause of
failure of insulation of neutral conductor which further result in the breakdown of
transformers winding. The important and major effect of Harmonics is further
discussed as:

4.2.1 Effect on Transformer

Harmonics effect transformer losses and eddy current loss density [7]. Actually,
the harmonic effects on transformer will not be notice until actual failure occurs.
It will occurs when there has been changes that been made to the system like
additional or replacement of new loads. Overheating of transformer is always
been related with harmonics effects.

Harmonics produce addition losses in the transformer core as the higher

frequency harmonic voltages set up hysteresis loops, which superimpose on the
fundamental loop. Each loop represents higher magnetization power requirement
and higher core losses.

Because of harmonics, the losses in conductor will increase. The resultant current
will increase the distortion and is given by equation 1
I rms=√ 1+(THD )2
1

4.2.2 Effect on Capacitor bank

In industrial load where a lot of motors are used, we need to improve power
factor. For this purpose we are connected capacitor banks near to the loads to
improve it. Since harmonics create reactance as for capacitor reactance will
increase as the frequency decrease. Therefore, the linear loads served from a
common feeder, which also serves nonlinear loads of some other consumers, may
become susceptible to harmonic distortion. Moreover, a consumer’s system which
does not have harmonics can be subjected to harmonic pollution due to of other
consumers in the system. The capacitors can be severely overloaded due to
harmonics and can be damaged [7].

4.2.3 Effect on lines and cables

Harmonic distortion in a distribution system affects the system current and
significantly. These increased rms currents produce additional heat losses in the
system lines and cables Harmonic distortion in cables affect by increasing the
dielectric stress in the cables. This stress is proportional to the voltage crest factor
which represents the crest value of voltage waveform to rms value of waveform.
The effect of this increased stress is such that, the cable useful life is shortened,
causing faults, which ultimately increases the system capital and maintenance cost
[6].
4.2.4 Thermal effect on rotating machine

Rotating machine are also affected by harmonics same as transformer. Resistance

of rotating machine will go high if the frequency of system is high. For this if
there is harmonic present in the system have a very rich current value which tends
to produce a heat loss in the rotating machine. This overall heat loss will again
affect its life and thus increase maintenance problems [8].

4.2.5 Undesired operation of fuse

In the environment of harmonic the RMS value of voltage and current may
increase. This tendency will lead the problem of unexpected operation of fuse in
capacitor banks or other arrangements which are used in the system to make
operation of nonlinear load. If the fuse of one connected phase blown off then the
other remaining fuse is in operation under a stress. In this condition the system
become unbalanced and it will tends to produce the overvoltage in the system. To
summarize above discussion it is concluded that, the following problems arise due
to harmonics [8].

i) Equipment overheating ii) Equipment malfunction or operation failure of

equipment iii) Equipment failure iv) Communications interference v) Fuse and
breaker operation failure vi) Maintenance problem

4.2.6 Neutral conductor over loading

In single phase PS neutral play a very important role as they carry the return
current and complete the circuit. But in case of harmonics it also becomes the
return path for the harmonic current to transformer through neutral connection.
For an unbalanced system the unbalanced currents are passed through the neutral
and for this purpose we need to balance the system the size of neutral cable is
almost taken equal to its phase cable. Under environment of harmonics the
unbalanced current which is passed through the neutral produces a heat loss in the
system which again affects the power quality of distribution system [4].

4.3 SOURCES OF HARMONIC DISTORTION

There are many harmonics sources are present but out of them few are listed here
which play a role as the major sources of harmonics [14],[16].

4.3.1 Static Compensators

If the power source is fluctuating, static compensators are used at the ends of
transmission lines or near sources of fluctuating power, static compensators
manage the voltage. Reactors which are controlled by Thyristor will produce near
about 1% of the 11th harmonic current.

4.3.2 Power Converters

Rectifiers give higher inductance on the dc side compared to the ac side. Hence
the dc current is almost constant and then converter starts acting as a harmonic
voltage source on the dc side where as the harmonics current source on the ac
side.

4.3.3 Transformers

Because of saturation and hysteresis characteristics, a small level of harmonic

current will get produce by transformers when they are in steady state. Initially
high level of harmonics will be produced, which is 60% of the rated transformer
current.

4.3.4 Rotating Machines

In the rotating machines, harmonic currents can be produced due to asymmetries

in the winding pattern. Harmonics grow because of the resultant magneto motive
force in the machine. Due to magnetic core saturation harmonic currents are
generated.

4.3.5 Electric Arc Furnaces

As the arc feed material varies, the harmonics rise up and their value cannot be
predicted certainly. The electric arc furnace load gives most awful distortions a
result of melting with the moving electrode and molten material.

4.3.6 Switched Mode Power Supplies (SMPS)

Latest electronic devices contain switched mode power supplies. SMPS regulates
AC or DC input voltage. SMPS unit draws current pulses contain large amount of
harmonics of third and above higher order harmonics.

4.4 HARMONIC RESONANCE IN A DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM

Most modern electronic devices are nonlinear and cause a number of disturbances
with in the network because they draw non sinusoidal current. So, as these
nonlinear loads have increased, power quality has become an issue that cannot be
ignored. Harmonic distortion has significant effects on distribution equipment and
can lead to increased costs due to increased maintenance, component failures or
devices de-rating. Harmonic cause heating in cables, problem in switching
circuitry and malfunctions in control systems; there could be false tripping,
interference in ripple control and unstable ,un predictable operation in other
systems .other more subtle effects can lead to costly and un necessary
maintenance or equipment replacement.

4.5 WHY HARMONICS SHOULD GET DETECTED?

Basically, harmonics are difficult to reduce. But the power quality gets reduced
because of harmonics. They show economic impacts such as earlier failure of
equipment’s, losses in distribution systems. So, they should be detected at early
stage.

4.6 Harmonic Reduction

There are various kinds of methods to reduce harmonics signal such as, oversize
the neutral conductor, use separate neutral conductors and harmonic filters. Filters
are designed to suppress system harmonics as well as to improve power factor.
There are two common type of filters; passive filter and active filter. Table 1.
Shows comparison of different types of filters used for harmonic mitigation [4].
Table 1: Comparison of different types of filters

Type of filter Passive filter Active filter Hybrid filter

* No power supply * Generally easier to * Very reliable

required. tune. * can produce high
* can handle large * no inductors gains.
currents and high * small in size and
Advantages voltages. weight
* very cheap

* Limited standard * power supply require * required many

sizes, often requiring * susceptible to inter components
variable inductors modulation, * Very expensive
and therefore tuning. oscillations
Disadvantages * generally not
amenable to
miniaturization

* Industrial * Commercial * Industrial

installations with a installations with a set installations with a set
set of non-linear of non-linear loads of non-linear loads
loads representing representing less than representing more than
more than 500 kVA 500 kVA (variable- 500 kVA (variable-
(variable-speed speed drives, UPSs, speed drives, UPSs,
drives, UPSs, office equipment, etc.) rectifiers, etc.)
rectifiers, etc.) * Installations where * Installations where
* Installations where current distortion must voltage distortion must
Application current distortion be reduced to avoid be reduced to avoid
must be reduced to overloads disturbing sensitive
avoid overloads loads

4.6.1 Passive filter

Power distribution system is designed to operate with sinusoidal voltage and
current waveform at constant frequency. However, when nonlinear load like
thyristor drives, converters and arc furnace are connected to the system, excessive
harmonic currents are generated and this causes both current and voltage
distortions. From the table 2.4, it is concluded that, the passive filter is the best
way to eliminate the distortion in distribution power system [5].

A filter in the most common sense is something that removes an unwanted

feature, or aspect of something. In signal processing and engineering the only
difference is that the unwanted component may be voltage or current harmonics.
Figure 8 (a) and (b) shows the basic low and high pass filters respectively.

Figure 8Low and High pass passive filters

These filters pass low or high frequencies regardless of whether it is a

fundamental or a nth harmonic (where n is any integer number). This means that
these filters, known to be part of the class of passive filters, can be used to filter
out higher order frequencies. These filters have an element known as a time
constant which is often equal to the resistance multiplied by the capacitance “RC”
connection. This time constant is called τ . τ =RC

The cutoff frequencies of the filters are directly dependent on this constant. A
simple equation to represent the cutoff frequencies for both the basic high and low
pass RC filters is shown in Equation (2.7) [13].
 1 1 1
ƒс = 2 πCR , RC = , τ= 2 πfc
2 πfc

The characteristic of cutoff frequency of both low and high pass filter is shown in
figure 9

Figure 9Characteristic of cutoff frequency of Low and High Pass Filters

Figure 10Block diagram of basic passive filter operation

I Filter design constraints

There are various issues in the design of a passive filter for its proper functioning
in harmonic reduction. The key issues are mentioned here:

a) Minimizing harmonic source current: The prime objective of the filter design is
to minimize the harmonic current in ac mains. This is ensured by minimizing the
filter impedance at the harmonic frequencies so that the harmonic filter acts as a
sink for the harmonic currents.

b) Minimizing fundamental current in passive filter: To ensure that the installation

of passive filter does not cause the system loading, the fundamental current in the
passive filter is minimized by the maximizing the passive filter impedance at the
fundamental frequency.

c) Environment and ageing effect: The capacitors with metalized film

construction lose capacitance as they age. Similarly the manufacturer tolerance of
the harmonic filter reactor may result in tuned frequency higher than the nominal.
An IEEE Standard 1531 [6] recommends that the passive filters are tuned at 6%
below the rated frequency so that it will exhibit acceptable tuning at the end of its
20 year life.

II Classification of Passive Filters

Depending on the connection of different passive components, the passive filters

can be broadly classified in two categories as given below.

Passive Series Filter

For voltage source type of harmonic loads (such as diode rectifier with R-L load
filter), passive series filter is considered as a potential remedy for harmonic
mitigation [16]. Here, the different tuned branches of passive filters are connected
in series with the supply and the diode rectifier. Figure 11 shows the schematic
diagram of a passive series filter connected at input ac mains. It consists of a set
of low block tuned shunt filter tuned at 5th and 7th harmonic frequencies and high
block tuned filter for 11th harmonic frequency. These passive filters blocks most
dominant 5th, 7th and other higher order harmonics and thus prevents them from
flowing into ac mains. Here, the performance of the series filter is not much
dependent on the source impedance. However, it results in reduction in dc bus
voltage due to voltage drop across filter components
 Figure 11Schematic diagram of passive series filter
Passive Shunt Filter

It is the most common method for the cancellation of harmonic current in the
distribution system. Passive harmonic filter are basically designed on principle of
either single tuned or band pass filter technology. As the name suggests shunt
type filter are connected in system parallel with load. Passive filter offer a very
low impedance in the network at the tuned frequency to divert all the related
current and at given tuned frequency. Because of passive filter always have
tendency of offering some reactive power in the circuit so the design of passive
shunt filter take place for the two purpose one is the filtering purpose and another
one is to provide reactive compensation purpose of correcting power factor in the
circuit at desired level. The advantage with the passive shunt type filter is that it
only carry fraction of current so the whole system AC power losses are reduced
compare to series type filter. Figure 12 shows the schematic diagram of 6 pulse
converter system connected with shunt passive type filter which are simply
employed ever connection in distribution system have R-L load in system [16].
 Figure 12Schematic diagram of passive shunt filter

Type Of Passive Filters

There are several type of passive filters, the most commonly filter types as shown
in figure 13 [7].

Figure 13Type of Passive Filter

 Table 2Comparison of different types of passive filter

Reduction In Harmonic Distortion Of The System Using Active

Power Filter In Matlab/Simulink.

Conclusion
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