Principles for Controlling Harmonics

When a problem occurs, the basic options for controlling

harmonics are:
1. Reduce the harmonic currents produced by the load.
2. Add filters to either siphon the harmonic currents off the
system, block the currents from entering the system, or
supply the harmonic currents locally.
3. Modify the frequency response of the system by filters,
inductors, or capacitors.

Reducing harmonic Currents in Loads

1.

Transformer connections can be employed to reduce

harmonic currents in three-phase systems.
I.

Phase-shifting half of the 6-pulse power converters in a

plant load by 30o can approximate the benefits of 12-pulse
loads by dramatically reducing the fifth and seventh
harmonics.

II.

Delta-connected transformers can block the flow of zerosequence harmonics (typically triplens) from the line.

III. Zigzag and grounding transformers can shunt the triplens

off the line.

12-Pulse Configuration

A 12-pulse configuration can be achieved by supplying one

drive through a -Y connected transformer, and another drive
through a - connected transformer.

Current waveforms for two separate six-pulse ASDs.

3

12-Pulse Configuration

When the two waveforms are

added together on the primary,
the resulting waveform
injected onto the utility system
has much lower distortion,
primarily because the fifth and
seventh harmonics are
cancelled out.

These two harmonics are

responsible for most of the
distortion for six-pulse drives. Cancellation of fifth and seventh

harmonic currents by using 30 phaseshifted transformer connections.

12-Pulse Converter

Zigzag Transformers
Zigzag transformers are often applied in commercial facilities
to control zero-sequence harmonic components.
A zigzag transformer acts like a filter to the zero-sequence
current by offering a low-impedance path to neutral.
This reduces the amount of current that flows in the neutral
back toward the supply by providing a shorter path for the
current.
To be effective, the transformer must be located near the load
on the circuit that is being protected drives.

Zig-zag transformer
application as third
harmonic filter.

Filtering
1.

The shunt filter works by short-circuiting harmonic currents

as close to the source of distortion as practical.
I. This keeps the currents out of the supply system.
II. The most common type of filtering applied because of
economics and because it also tends to correct the load
power factor as well as remove the harmonic current.

2.

Another approach is to apply a series filter that blocks the

harmonic currents.
I.

3.

This is a parallel-tuned circuit that offers a high

impedance to the harmonic current.
Active filters work by electronically supplying the harmonic
component of the current into a nonlinear load.

Harmonics Filters
Shunt
Passive Filter

Series
Passive Filter

Active Filter