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Production Mitigation : Line Harmonics Can Have Costly And Disruptive Effects On Electrical Distribution System

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Harmonics Mitigation
Line harmonics can have costly and disruptive effects on electrical distribution system.
At present there are several reduction or mitigation methods in use to reduce the distortion of the voltage and current from non-linear distribution loads such as variable frequency drives (VFDs). Description of each method with relative advantages and disadvantages are as follows.

No method used
The adjustable frequency drive requirements for IEEE 519 1992 guidelines may not be met without a line reactor or additional impedance because many AFDs require a minimum of 1% to 3% input impedance. IEEE 519 1992 guidelines may not be met even if the total connected AFD or VFD loads are less than 10%. It is assumed that the AFD has a six-diode input bridge and no line reactor, filter or DC choke applied. Advantages:
• No additional cost
• The VFDs are easy to package
• The AFDs are easy to sell and apply.
Disadvantages:
• There may be a possibility of high levels of harmonic voltage and current distortion.
• Line transients can cause damage to the VFDs.
• AFD impedance requirement may not be met.

DC Choke
On the front end of the adjustable frequency drive, a series inductance on the DC side of the semiconductor bridge circuit is called a DC choke. An equivalent AC-side line reactor is comparable to the DC choke, except that the THD of DC choke is less than that of the AC counterpart. A greater reduction of the 5th and 7th harmonics, primarily, is provided by the DC

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