Power System Analysis

(603)

Name: Slobodan Stankovic

Student number: 14402056
Title of the experiment: Power Quality Measurements
Laboratory group: Friday (08:00-09:30)
Laboratory supervisor: Mansour Mohseni
Laboratory partners: Lei Wang, Grace Wons, Suresh
Subaunidoroma

Date performed the experiment: 07.05.2010

Due date: 21.05.2010
Date submitted: 21.05.2010

I hereby declare that the report presents entirely my own work and have not copied
from any other student or past student.

Student signature: -------------------------------------------------------

Power Quality Measurements
Introduction:

In an ideal power system, energy should be supplied at a constant voltage and

frequency. However, in real life, frequency and voltage fluctuates and causes the
waveform to distort. These forms of distortion originate from electronic devices and
non balanced loads in network. The deviation from perfect sinusoidal waveform is
generally expressed in terms of total harmonic distortion (% THD).
Main effects of voltage and current and their harmonics in a power system are:
- Amplification of harmonic levels resulting from series and parallel resonances
- Reduction of capacity of cables, transformers, etc.
-Aging of insulation of components.
- Equipment malfunctions.
Harmonic voltages or currents give rise to additional loss in the stator
windings and rotor circuits in the rotating machines. The flow of harmonic currents in
a network produces additional transmission losses and creates harmonic voltage drop
across the various circuit impedances. The presence of capacitors such as those used
for power factor improvement can result in local system resonances which can lead to
excessive currents and damage capacitors. The harmonics also have adverse effects on
consumer’s equipment like computers, television receivers, etc. Harmonic filters can
be used to minimise these problems.

The total harmonic distortion (THD) is defined as:

∑U
n=2
2
n

THD = *100
U1

Where U1 is the fundamental component of the signal and U1 to Un are the harmonic
components.

Aims and objectives:

The objective of this experiment is to demonstrate the effects of unbalanced

and non-linear loads on the quality of electrical power by measuring the harmonics in
the waveforms.
Method:

Power quality measurements were taken for the following three-phase load
configurations:

- Balanced linear loads

- Unbalanced linear loads
- Balanced non-linear loads
- Unbalanced mixed loads (linear and non-linear)

Connected as on picture below:

Apparatus:

1 x Power Quality Meter (e.g., FLUKE 43B)

1 x Digital Multimeter
3 x Variable Resistor Rheostats
3 x Fluorescent Lamps
Results:

Balanced Linear Load

Phase A Phase B Phase C
Incandescent Incandescent Incandescent
Voltage THD = 2.2 % Neutral
Light Bulb Light Bulb Light Bulb
(Linear Load) (Linear Load) (Linear Load)
THD = THD = THD =
THD = 0.5 %
nth Frequency 0.74% 1.18% 0.88%
Harmonics (Hz) Ah % Ah % Ah % Ah %
(A) RMS (A) RMS (A) RMS (A) RMS
1 50 0.384 0.34 0.378 0.38 0.392 0.28 0.008 2.164
3 150 0.000 0.3 0.000 0.34 0.000 0.26 0.002 1.808
5 250 0.002 0.28 0.004 0.34 0.002 0.24 0.000 1.616
7 350 0.002 0.3 0.002 0.34 0.002 0.24 0.002 2.204
9 450 0.000 0.3 0.000 0.36 0.002 0.26 0.002 1.804
11 550 0.000 0.3 0.000 0.36 0.000 0.26 0.000 1.832
13 650 0.000 0.3 0.000 0.36 0.000 0.26 0.002 1.976
15 750 0.000 0.3 0.000 0.36 0.000 0.3 0.000 1.856

Unbalanced Linear Load

Phase A Phase B Phase C
Incandescent Incandescent Incandescent
Voltage THD = 2.2 % Neutral
Light Bulb Light Bulb Light Bulb
(Linear Load) (Linear Load) (Linear Load)
THD = THD = THD =
THD = 1%
nth Frequency 2.34% 0.91% 2.57%
Harmonics (Hz) Ah % Ah % Ah % Ah %
(A) RMS (A) RMS (A) RMS (A) RMS
1 50 0.282 0.42 0.148 0.56 0.22 0.4 0.11 0.7
3 150 0.000 0.36 0.000 0.56 0.000 0.36 0.000 0.76
5 250 0.002 0.3 0.002 0.58 0.000 0.4 0.000 0.8
7 350 0.002 0.34 0.002 0.56 0.002 0.36 0.002 0.72
9 450 0.000 0.38 0.002 0.6 0.000 0.38 0.002 0.68
11 550 0.000 0.32 0.000 0.54 0.000 0.38 0.000 0.82
13 650 0.000 0.36 0.000 0.58 0.000 0.4 0.000 0.76
15 750 0.000 0.38 0.000 0.62 0.000 0.38 0.000 0.8
 Balanced non linear Load
Phase A CFL Phase B CFL Phase C
Light Bulb Light Bulb CFL Light
Voltage THD = 2.2 % Neutral
(non linear (non linear Bulb (non
load) load) linear load)
THD = THD = THD = THD =
nth Frequency 114.25% 113.11 % 103.56 % 688.8%
Harmonics (Hz) Ah % Ah % Ah % Ah %
(A) RMS (A) RMS (A) RMS (A) RMS
1 50 0.076 15.06 0.078 14.82 0.08 14.68 0.03 20
3 150 0.06 15 0.056 14.84 0.06 14.7 0.178 20
5 250 0.042 15.02 0.036 14.64 0.038 14.64 0.04 20
7 350 0.034 14.84 0.034 14.8 0.03 14.56 0.04 20
9 450 0.026 14.6 0.028 14.68 0.024 14.8 0.082 20
11 550 0.012 14.68 0.018 14.92 0.012 14.5 0.002 20
13 650 0.01 14.72 0.032 14.88 0.01 14.8 0.008 20
15 750 0.01 14.72 0.008 14.88 0.01 14.62 0.032 20

Non balanced non linear Load

Phase A Phase B CFL Phase C CFL
Incandescent Light Bulb Light Bulb
Voltage THD = 2.2 % Neutral
Light Bulb (non linear (non linear
(Linear Load) load) load)
THD = 1% THD = 96% THD = 116% THD = 68%
nth Frequency
Harmonics (Hz) Ah % Ah % Ah % Ah %
(A) RMS (A) RMS (A) RMS (A) RMS
1 50 0.284 0.42 0.076 14.92 0.084 14.96 0.21 11.6
3 150 0.000 0.36 0.056 14.92 0.062 14.86 0.12 11.4
5 250 0.002 0.28 0.036 14.82 0.04 14.86 0.038 11.36
7 350 0.002 0.32 0.032 14.78 0.032 14.92 0.028 11.32
9 450 0.000 0.36 0.028 14.8 0.026 14.98 0.056 11.3
11 550 0.000 0.36 0.008 14.86 0.016 15.08 0.016 11.28
13 650 0.000 0.34 0.012 14.94 0.0092 15.14 0.014 11.3
15 750 0.000 0.34 0.008 14.94 0.01 15.18 0.02 11.2
Discussion:

Question 1:
Why the balanced 3 phase load current contains harmonics?
Harmonic is a component frequency of a harmonic motion of an electro
magnetic wave that is an integral multiple of the fundamental frequency. The
balanced 3 phase load current contains harmonics due to the presence of non-linear
load. A load is considered non-linear if its current is not proportional to the applied
voltage and its impedance changes with the applied voltage. The changing impedance
means that the current drawn by the non-linear load will not be sinusoidal even when
it is connected to a sinusoidal voltage. These non-sinusoidal currents contain
harmonic currents that interact with the impedance of the power distribution system to
create voltage distortion that can affect both the distribution system equipment and the
loads connected to it.
This may go even to interesting “engineering wonders” such as DC load
creating sine wave current due to non linear loads.

Question 2:
Comment on the neutral wire current in all above cases?
The harmonics in the neutral wire is at the highest when using the unbalanced
nonlinear and linear loads. For a balanced nonlinear load, the harmonics are lower and
are usually caused by third harmonics. However, for a balanced and unbalanced linear
loads, the harmonics are almost non-existent. This is mainly because linear loads do
not absorb harmonic currents from the supplied voltage.

Question 3:
Why excessive neutral current is not desirable in power distribution system?

Excessive neutral current is not desirable as this result in the overheating of

conductors and failure of equipment, which poses as a potential explosion (fire)
hazard.

Question 4:
Write down sources of harmonics in power supply system.
Computers, Laser printers, Copy machines, Monitors, Battery chargers, Fluorescent
lighting ballasts, Rectifies, Welding units, Variable speed drives, Hair dryer, Washing
machines, (etc)….
Conclusions:

We live in time that rapidly developed helping hands which are usually
electronic non linear loads. These loads create dangerous states in our network which
can lead toward increased failures of electrical network caused by overload of
transformers and generators that are influenced by those non linear loads.
Unfortunately legislation and consumer education do not follow development
of technologies and we are nearing point where current network will not be able to
respond to new challenges made by such state. One of things to consider is immediate
implementation of filters for higher harmonics where even cheap passive ones would
help in preserving electro energetic system. Also greater care should be taken to
generously size conductors so they can cope with new demands. Today we have
working currents even in neutral conductors and that can lead to increased faults and
damage to electrical equipment due to over voltage and fluctuating currents. Also
greater care should be given to education even persons that should be skilled in this
and those are electricians with licence.
Recent example from private life: I was asked from my friend to determine
what is tripping his circuit barkers with no obvious reason. After inspecting
installation I determined repeatedly connected neutral and earthing connector in main
and secondary switchboard. After fixing system, problem never reappeared. His
system was troubled buy “wondering” currents that were tripping relays. This is all
consequence of increased usage of non linear loads.

References:

[1] Nikola Rajkovic, Analyses of electro energetic systems part I (in Serbian)
Electrotehnical faculty in Belgrade, Serbia
[2] R. C. Dugan, M. F. McGranaghan, S. Santoso, H. W. Beaty, Electrical Power
Systems Quality, McGraw-Hill, USA.
[3] http://www.scribd.com/doc/2655751/Harmonics