Measurement and Detection of Harmonic Sources for Radial and Non-radial Distribution Network

Abstract

Now a day’s good quality of power (i.e harmonic free power) is as much as required as reliability of power supply. But the presence of large number nonlinear loads in the power system inject huge amount of unwanted harmonics in to the power network. Harmonic results malfunctioning of microprocessor and microcontroller-based equipment, overheating in neutral conductors, transformers or induction motors, deterioration or failure of PF (power factor) correction capacitors, improper operation of breakers and relays, pronounced magnetic fields near transformers and switchgear etc. In this paper a new method for detection of harmonic sources in distribution systems is proposed. The harmonic distortion power is used to determine the location of the polluting loads in this method. This harmonic distortion power (HDP) method compares the magnitudes of the harmonic distortion power, more specifically ratio of harmonic distortion power to the non active power at the point of common coupling (PCC) and detects the dominant source of harmonic pollution in the system. This method can also determine the harmonic contributions of a customer at the point of common coupling.