1.

THE MAIN EFFECTS OF HARMONICS IN INSTALLATIONS

1.1 DISTURBANCES TO SENSITIVE LOADS
1.1.1 Effects of supply-voltage distortion: Distortion of the supply voltage may disturb operation of sensitive loads,
including: regulation systems (temperature, etc.), computer equipment,
control and monitoring systems (protection relays).
5.1.2 Disturbances on telephone lines: Harmonics can induce disturbances in circuits conducting low currents. The
degree of
disturbance depends on the distance over which the power and
signal lines run in parallel, the distance between the lines and the frequency of
the harmonics.
2. ECONOMIC CONSEQUENCES:6.1 Power Losses: The Joule effect, induced by harmonic currents in the conductors and
equipment, causes additional power losses.
6.2 Additional Subscribed Power Costs: The presence of harmonic currents makes it necessary to increase the subscribed
power level and, consequently, the cost of the subscription. What is more,
utilities will be increasingly inclined in the future to transfer costs to the
producers of harmonic disturbances.
6.3 Oversizing of equipment: A. De-rating of power sources (generators, transformers and UPSs) means they
must be oversized.
B. Conductors must be sized taking into account the flow of harmonic currents.
Because the frequencies of the harmonics are higher than that of the
fundamental, the impedances encountered by these currents are higher. To avoid
excessive losses due to the Joule effect, the conductors must be oversized.
C. The circulation of harmonic currents in the neutral conductor means the
conductor must be oversized.