A.C. Voltage waveforms and harmonics?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around calculating an A.C. voltage waveform that includes a fundamental frequency and harmonics. The initial expression for the voltage waveform is provided, but participants express confusion over the percentage error calculated at 20ms. A key point is the correction of the phase angle for the 5th harmonic, which is noted to be leading rather than lagging. Participants also highlight discrepancies in their calculations, with one recalculating the voltage at 20ms to arrive at a different value, leading to further discussions on potential errors in their approaches. The conversation emphasizes the complexities of harmonic analysis and the impact of phase angles on voltage calculations.
alex.daciz
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Hi, I have the following question:

An A.C. voltage, V comprises of a fundamental voltage of 100V rms at a frequency of 120Hz, a 3rd harmonic which is 20% of the fundamental, a 5th harmonic which is 10% of the fundamental and at a phase angle of 1.2 radians lagging.

(1) Write down an expression for the voltage waveform

(2) The voltage at 20ms (milliseconds)

(3) Given an ideal V = 100V rms, what is the percentage error at 20ms

I have an idea for the first and second parts but I get a huge percentage error in (3) which makes me doubt whether the first 2 parts were correct, can anyone help please?

(1) Since V = Vrms x sqrt2 = 141.4V at 120Hz

3rd harmonic = 20% of 141.4 = 28.3V at 360Hz

5th harmonic = 10% of 141.4 = 14.1V at 600Hz

v = [141.1sin(240πt)] + [28.3sin(720πt] + [14.1sin(1200πt+1.2)] π=pi


(2) V at 20ms = 36.8 + 20.1 + 13.7 = 70.6V


(3) Error is [(100-70.6)/100]X100 = 29.4% !? That seems like a massive error, where has my equation gone wrong?

Help anyone!?
 
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v = [141.1sin(240πt)] + [28.3sin(720πt] + [14.1sin(1200πt+1.2)]

That 5th harmonic is 1.2 radians leading, not lagging.
 
BTW. You calculated the error incorrectly, however there is no reason why the percentage error could not be huge when calculated at a single point.

For example, what would the percentage error by at t=0?
 
Well spotted, it should be -1.2 but re-calculating V at 20ms it's still 70.5V. How have I calculated the error incorrectly?
 
alex.daciz said:
Well spotted, it should be -1.2 but re-calculating V at 20ms it's still 70.5V. How have I calculated the error incorrectly?

Using your equations I get (2) V at 20ms = 82.9 + 26.9 - 13.1.
 
Last edited:
Sorry my calculator wasn't in radians! Would that then make the error 3.3%?
 
Hi
Im stuck on the same question. I've been using 141.4sin(2pi x f(120) x 0.02), which gives me 9.41v
28.3Sin(2pi x 360 x 0.02) = 21.45v
14.1sin(2pi x 600 x .02 - 1.2) = 18.08v

Then added these up to give combined voltage at 20ms of 48.93v
This is obviously a diffenrent answer to answers above, could someone please point out if I am doing something wrong.
Many thanks
 

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