13 - Harmonics and generators - what do you need to know?

Learn how harmonics interact with generators increasing voltage distortion to ensure loads operate correctly on the generator or utility source || Eaton, Power Quality, Dan Carnovale explains, Harmonic FAQ, Power Systems Experience Center, IEEE-519
Eaton’s Harmonic Frequently Asked Question’s FAQs collection of videos hosted by Dan Carnovale can help individuals from all different levels of education understand what harmonics are and explain many different solutions for mitigating harmonics on an electrical power system. A high level of total harmonic voltage or current distortion on an electrical power system can cause many problems and it is important to understand how harmonics are generated so they can be reduced or mitigated. What causes harmonics and where do harmonics come from in a power system? Harmonics are generated from non-linear loads that typically include power electronics such as variable frequency drives (VFD) and LED lights. Current harmonics cause excess heating of transformers and cables and damage electrical equipment and voltage harmonics cause mis operation. There are many harmonic solutions including harmonic load solutions and system harmonic solutions to reduce harmonic currents. Calculating harmonics and measuring harmonics are critical steps in selecting the best harmonic solution to reduce the total harmonic distortion or THD on a power system to comply with the IEEE-519 standard. Power factor correction and harmonic resonance should also be considered.
Dan Carnovale P.E. has decades of experience in power quality and harmonics and is a recognized electrical industry expert in power quality and power systems. He is the creator and manager of Eaton’s Power Systems Experience Center in Pittsburgh PA where live demonstrations of hands-on power quality and harmonic situations and solutions can be seen first-hand in the Power Quality Lab.
Other FAQ topics: What are electrical harmonics; What is harmonic distortion; current harmonics; voltage distortion; What causes current distortion; total harmonic distortion; Harmonic calculation; Calculating harmonics; Frequency harmonics calculator; Harmonics electrical; Harmonics in power electronics; Harmonics in transformers; Transformer harmonics; Variable frequency drive harmonics; What is a VFD line reactor; What is the purpose of a line reactor; What is difference between reactor and inductor; line reactor vs harmonic filter; how to select line reactor for vfd; line reactors; line reactors for vfd; line reactors for ac drives; line reactors for drives; ac line reactor; ac drive line reactor; ac line reactor for vfd; ac line reactor harmonic filter; ac drive line reactor; dc choke; choke; Transformer solutions for harmonics; k rated transformer; harmonic mitigating transformer; hmt transformer; phase shift transformer; Phase Shifting Transformers; Harmonic filter; harmonic filter for vfd; Harmonic Filters for Reducing VFD Distortion; vfd line filter; Passive harmonic filter; Tuned filter; double tuned filter; single tuned filter; tuned filter circuit; single tuned passive filter; detuned filter; detuned harmonic filter; Drive harmonic filters; drive dedicated harmonic filter; active harmonic filter; broadband harmonic filter; harmonic correction unit HCU; harmonic distortion correction; HCU2 harmonic correction unit; 6 pulse drive; 6 pulse rectifier; Six-Pulse Conversion and Harmonics; 6 Pulse VFD For Reducing Harmonics; 18-pulse rectifier; 6 pulse converter; 6-pulse rectifier harmonics; 12 pulse converter; 6-pulse drive harmonics; 12-pulse rectifier harmonics; 18 pulse vfd harmonics; 18-pulse converter; 24-pulse rectifier; 12-pulse rectifier transformer; 24 pulse rectifier harmonics; Harmonics standards; Standard for Harmonic Control in Electric Power Systems; harmonic standard ieee 519; standard harmonic distortion; ieee 519 harmonics; ieee 519 current harmonic limits; ieee 519 standard for harmonic distortion; ieee 519 vfd compliance; Regulation of Harmonics; IEEE Std 519-1992 Harmonic Limits; Power factor; Power factor (PF); Total power factor (TPF); Displacement power factor; Harmonic power factor; power factor improvements; power factor correction; harmonics and power factor; harmonic effect on power factor; harmonic distortion and power factor; harmonic displacement power factor; harmonic resonance in power systems; resonance in power system; harmonic analysis; Power Factor Correction and Harmonic Resonance; parallel resonance in power systems; parallel resonance circuit; series resonance circuit; series and parallel resonance; capacitor resonance; capacitor inductor resonance; capacitor parallel resonance
For more information visit www.eaton.com/harmonics

[@Casper20249]

I understand this example is for commercial/industrial applications, but should I be concerned about residential applications with variable speed a/c compressors? And if so; what type of filters would you recommend?

[@cbirch7302]

What type of compressors are you talking about here?
The most obvious that comes to mind would be the variable speed compressor in your air conditioner. If that's the case, the engineers are way ahead of you. There's almost certainly chokes/reactors inline with the power supply to the compressor already.

[@danieldupre1415]

I purchased a Westinghouse 9500/12500 Watt portable generator and (according to Westinghouse) the THD is +/- 23%! I am afraid to run my central AC (Trane - highest end unit) because of this - am I correct or is it possible the engineers at Trane have already taken this into account? What are your thoughts?

[@LuizSantos-vd3ke]

Thanks Dan, very well explaned and it was amazing to see the real waveforms changing...Question: can I say the principle is the same for MV products/high power (drives and generators)? or is it even worse?

[@andredyer1099]

What harmonic filters are recommended

[@eatoncorp]

Thank you for reaching out, Andre. Please visit eaton.works/3OkAwNw or call 1-877-386-2273 for technical support.

[@Mike-01234]

Generac claims to have 2% or less THD with their latest generators without the use of an inverter. Westinghouse says they can get less then. 5%. Kind of depends on what brand you're buying. Most tests I see online with an oscilloscope on CZcams they compare some cheap old open frame generator to an inverter generator. Shouldn't need an inverter generator to make clean power Generac proven that.