Harmonic Analysis in Ideal and Nonideal

Electrical Systems
J. P. G. Abreu, H. Arango, F. N. Belchior
Power Quality Study Group, Itajubá Federal University, Itajubá-MG, Brazil
e-mails: polica@unifei.edu.br, fnbelchior@unifei.edu.br.

Abstract— This paper aims at analyzing some important aspects c a b a

related to ideal and nonideal electrical systems. In this way, the
a
analyses are presented in the theoretical form, followed by typical b
c
examples from field measurements. It is usual to associate some
harmonic orders with specific equipment operation, like a
noncontrolled 6 pulse rectifier, a motor, a generator, etc. These
structures define characteristic harmonics in ideal electrical b c
operation and occur in couple association. Depending on the
similarity degree in the couple members, these harmonics had Positive Sequence Negative Sequence Zero Sequence

been called using a biological correlation, as univitelline and Figure 1. Phase Sequence Components.
bivitelline. Similarly, there are differences in the same harmonic
order phases that can be qualified according to a chemical
analogy, namely in acid and alkaline harmonics. There are, also, II. THEORETICAL APPROACH
differences between stator and rotor harmonics.
For periodic three-phase waveforms its possible to use the
Keywords- Power quality, nonlinear electrical systems, Fourier Theorem, expressing the vector of the instantaneous
nonlinear loads, chemical analogy, biological analogy. values, (v (b)) in function of the basic signal - fundamental
(h=1) and of harmonic ones (h > 1), being able to be
I. INTRODUCTION represented by (1):
The theory of Symmetrical Components makes possible the f
discrimination of three-phase parameters associated with three v( t ) 2 IM ( ¦ V h e jhwt ) (1)
phase sequences: positive, negative and zero (Fig. 1). These h 1
components are in an orthogonal way and allow simplifying the
solution of nonideal electrical systems.
The fasorial vectors (V h ) are, in the general case,
With the advent of power electronic equipment, and its
inherently nonlinear loads, the sinusoidal waveforms become unbalanced, and then they can be decomposed in sequence
distorted, leading to harmonic signals. In case, they are components ( E h ) , as in (2):
unbalanced, it is necessary to analyze through symmetrical
components as in the case of sinusoidal waveform [1]-[3].
V h K
 E
h (2)
This paper aims at focusing these harmonic analyses in an
organic way, emphasizing the general properties, without
missing physical aspects and relevant problems of electrical Where K is the transformation matrix for symmetrical
engineering.
components (positive, negative and zero) [4], [5].
 III. SYMMETRY
The idea of symmetry in the sinusoidal case is expressed in
positive, negative and zero sequences. If sequences could be
indicated by ı = (1,2,0) respectively, the symmetry of each
sequence can be expressed as a “repetitive pattern V”,
represented in (3):

§ VT · § 2V T ·
va (t ) vb ¨ t  ¸ vc ¨ t  ¸ (3)
© 3 ¹ © 3 ¹

Equation (3) is not dependent on being system the ideal or Figure 2. Angular phase distribution.
nonideal, therefore can be used to define the symmetry in
distorted waveforms. In this case, the analysis involves not just Fig. 3 shows an example of 5th harmonic cancellation,
one phase sequence. through the circuit analysis composed by a saturated reactor
However, an interesting question appears: how becomes and a three-phase noncontrolled rectifier, in a shunt connected,
related the distorted waveform symmetry with phase sequences both harmonic generators [6]. It is possible to verify the
of its harmonics? elimination of 5th harmonic order, being able, in this way, to
say that the 5th harmonic order of the saturated reactor acts as
In fact, if a three-phase electrical signal is distorted and has an acid harmonic (or alkaline), whereas 5th harmonic order
a positive symmetry, its harmonic order h will have the from rectifier acts as an alkaline harmonic (or acid).
following sequence.
1,5
h IRect (%) ĭҏ(degree)
s h 3 (4) 1,0
1 1.10 100.0 -0.2
0,5 3 0 0 0
0,0
5 0.22 19.8 178.9
Where h|3 (h - Module 3) is the remaining portion of 1 51 101 151 201 251 301 351 401 451 501 551 601 651 701 751 801
7 0.16 14.4 178.5
dividing h by 3. Thus, the 5th harmonic will have sequence -0,5
9 0 0 0
5|3=2, that is, negative one. -1,0
11 0.10 8.9 -2.4
The question of the symmetry of distorted waveforms has -1,5 13 0.09 7.8 -2.8
(a) Rectifier (b) THD=27.2 %
to do with practical situation. For example, the majority of
nonlinear loads are balanced, that is, when they are supplied by 1,5

a positive sequence voltage, the load current absorbed has the h IReatcor (%) ĭҏ(degree
1,0
positive sequence, too. For example, three-phase 6 pulse 1 0.27 100 -72.0
rectifiers are balanced loads while under normal operation. 0,5 3 0.25 92.2 -36.0
0,0 5 0.21 77.8 0.0
In case of any flaw, the rectifier can not be considered as a 1 51 101 151 201 251 301 351 401 451 501 551 601 651 701 751 801
7 0.16 59.2 36.0
balanced load, any longer. Consequently, the currents become -0,5

9 0.10 39.4 72.0

asymmetric. This can be detected by the appearance of unlike -1,0
11 0.06 21.0 108.0
harmonic sequence components. For instance, the fifth -1,5
13 0.02 6.3 144.0
harmonic is now composed by negative and positive sequences (c) Saturated Reactor (d) THD=141.7%
components.
2,0
Naturally, its positive sequence component is lesser than its h ISupply (%) ĭ(degree)
1,5
negative one. 1 1.22 100.0 -12.8
1,0

0,5 3 0.26 21.3 -35.6

IV. HARMONIC AGGREGATION 0,0 5 0.00 0.4 0.0
1 51 101 151 201 251 301 351 401 451 501 551 601 651 701 751 801
By considering a set or cluster of nonlinear loads, the -0,5 7 0.10 8.6 103.8
resultant harmonics depend on distribution of the harmonic -1,0
9 0.11 8.9 73.6
phase angles in each individual ones. These angles are different -1,5
11 0.10 7.8 32.8
due to the distinct loads and to the point of common coupling -2,0

(PCC). 13 0.07 5.9 4.9

(e) Supply (f) THD=26.5%
In a chemical point of view, some harmonics are acid and Figure 3. Acid and alkaline harmonics.
others alkaline, with pH=14 and pH=0, oppositely. This
depends on their phase-shifts.
V. UNIVITELLINE AND BIVITELLINE HARMONICS
Considering, again, the case of a three-phase noncontrolled
rectifiers of ‘p’ pulses, is verified that the current harmonic
order are limited to the orders 6k r 1, where k=1, 2, 3,…. The
use of a multiple (n) of 6 pulses is very convenient for the
higher the number of pulses, the smaller the harmonic contents
(h=6nk±1, where n=1, 2, 3,…). It is important to notice that the
harmonic order is odd and appear in couple centered in the
frequencies 6nk. Each pair of harmonics has different order,
namely: 5th and 7th; 11th and 13th, and so forth. They are named
bivitelline harmonics.
In this case, the three-phase supply voltages were assumed
as sinusoidal and balanced. An infinite smoothing inductance
on the rectifier output (dc link) was adopted. This yields to a
constant dc current (Id). Under these conditions, the ac line
currents consists of periodic rectangular positive and negative
pulses of values r Id. Fig. 4 shows the voltage supply (phase a)
and the ac current rectifier waveforms.
It can be noted that the line current waveform has odd
symmetry. Thus, with reference to phase ‘a’ of voltage supply,
the harmonic phase angles are 0q or 180q. In such conditions,
the rectifier does not generate third harmonic currents, but just
the characteristic orders 6k±1, for integer values of k. Fig. 5
exhibits the harmonic spectrum (a) and phase angles (b) for line
current.
Figure 4. Line a current for the six-pulse diode rectifier.
(a)
(b)
Figure 5. Harmonic spectrum of line a rectifier current: (a) magnitudes (%
I1); (b) phase angles.
VI. STATOR AND ROTOR HARMONICS
A synchronous generator supplying the same rectifier is
affected by the harmonic circulation on the machine stator. The
rotating magnetic field of h=7 (positive sequence), leads to a
angular velocity :7=+7Ȧ1 and for h=5 (negative frequency) it
leads to :5=-5Ȧ1, in opposite mechanic frequency.
With regard to the rotor, where :R=Ȧ1, it results: :7 - :R =
7Ȧ1 - Ȧ1 = 6Ȧ1 and :5 - :R = -5Ȧ1 - Ȧ1 = -6Ȧ1. They are a
couple with the same harmonic order h=6. Now, they are
named univitelline harmonics.
VII. CONCLUSIONS
This paper has dealt with important and essential
information related to the ideal and nonideal electrical systems.
Situations are focused when asymmetry three-phase load are
present. With these circumstances, it is verified, for instance,
noncharacteristic harmonic currents. The acid and alkaline
harmonic concepts, the univitelline and bivitelline harmonic as
well as, stator and rotor harmonics associates to the electric
machines are presented.
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