Effects of Powerline Harmonics?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion focuses on the effects of harmonics generated by electronic equipment on power lines, particularly in the context of power factor and its implications. Participants explore the nature of harmonics, their sources, and the relationship between power factor correction and harmonic generation.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose that harmonics are generated primarily through electronic devices, especially switch-mode power supplies (SMPS), due to their non-continuous supply of power.
  • There is a suggestion that power factor correction capacitor banks can contribute to harmonic generation if they are not specifically designed for the conditions of the system.
  • One participant notes that the impedance of power factor correction capacitors is inversely proportional to frequency, while the impedance of the source is directly proportional to frequency, which may influence harmonic generation.
  • Another participant challenges the initial claims by distinguishing between SMPS noise and harmonics, stating that SMPS noise is related to the switching frequency rather than the fundamental powerline frequency (50/60Hz).
  • The concept of power factor is discussed, with a request for clarification on its definition and the types of loads that can achieve a power factor of 1.0.
  • Questions are raised about how powerline harmonics can be generated by loads and what specific types of loads are responsible for this phenomenon.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the sources and implications of harmonics in power systems. There is no consensus on the definitions and relationships between power factor, harmonic generation, and the effects of electronic equipment.

Contextual Notes

Some assumptions regarding the definitions of power factor and harmonic generation remain unaddressed, and the discussion includes unresolved questions about the specific conditions under which harmonics are produced.

Eranda
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What kind of effects that provides to the power lines due to the harmonics? Please consider those harmonics are generated through electronic equipments?

Thanks in advance.
 
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Eranda said:
What kind of effects that provides to the power lines due to the harmonics? Please consider those harmonics are generated through electronic equipments?

Thanks in advance.

Welcome to the PF.

I've moved your thread to the schoolwork forums for you. :smile:

Please tell us what you know so far. How does electronic equipment generate harmonics on the AC Mains powerline? Are you familiar with the concept of "Power Factor"?
 
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@Eranda -- please send me a message when you are able to answer my questions above, and I will re-open this thread. :smile:
 
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Yp. I'm familiar with the power factor. I found that harmonics are generated through electronic devices; mostly due to SMPS. That switching purpose generates harmonics since the supply is not continuously provided.
As you meant the power factor, some of the power factor correction capacitor banks cause to this harmonics. As far as I know the Impedance of the p.f correction capacitor is inversely proportional to the frequency & Impedance of the source is directly proportional to the frequency. If the p.f correction capacitor is not specifically designed for these conditions, harmonics generates.
Am I missing something here?
 
Eranda said:
Yp. I'm familiar with the power factor. I found that harmonics are generated through electronic devices; mostly due to SMPS. That switching purpose generates harmonics since the supply is not continuously provided.
As you meant the power factor, some of the power factor correction capacitor banks cause to this harmonics. As far as I know the Impedance of the p.f correction capacitor is inversely proportional to the frequency & Impedance of the source is directly proportional to the frequency. If the p.f correction capacitor is not specifically designed for these conditions, harmonics generates.
Am I missing something here?

Well, you are talking about three different things. When you talk about SMPS noise, it is not at harmonics of the powerline frequency (50/60Hz). SMPS noise coupled back into the AC Mains powerline is at the switching frequency of the power supply and harmonics of that switching frequency.

And power factor has a couple different contexts. When you have a very inductive load, like with AC motors, then yes, adding some capacitance can help to get the PF closer to the ideal number of 1.0. But again, that does not appear to be what your question is asking. Can you tell us how the PF is defined? What kind of load has a PF of 1.0? How can powerline harmonics (of 50/60Hz) be generated by a load? What kind of load generates those harmonics, and why?
 

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