890 IEEE Transactions on Powcr Systems, Va!. 13, No.

3, August 199R

ANALYSIS OF HARMONIC MITIGATION METHODS FOR BUILDING WIRING SYSTEMS

Thomas Key, Senior Member Jih-Sheng Lai, Senior Member

Power Electronics Applications Center Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Knoxville, Tennessee Oak Ridge, Tennessee

Ahstract-There is a growing number of available harmonic

mitigation methods. Selection of the best suited method for a
,'8
ij
.r--' -�.'f--' ..

�i
�
1-phase
rectifier
particular case can be a complicated decision making process. The
:

difficulty normally arises from not knowing how a particular Switch

Mode DC
technology and design will perform in a specific non-sinusoidal
Power Load
system. This paper looks at seven harmonic mitigation methods
Supply
and compartS their compensation characteristics as applied to
building wiring systems. Both passive and active mitigation
methods are considered for harmonics generated by single-phase Fig. 1. Single-phase r ectifi er circuit diagram and inp ut current .

With concern for harmonic levels that can overload

equipment. The performance is studied through computer
simulation with detailed source and associated rectifier load
building power systems and with new standards on the way to
limit harmonic levels, numerous approaches have been
interfaces in the model.

proposed. These range from reducing the harmonics generated

I. INTRODUCTION
by equipment tu installing large filters in building wiring
Switch-mode power supplies (SMPS) and other power
systems. Some approaches use passive filters or special
converters reshape electrical power to better serve many
transformers, while others use active filters or active current
electronic equipment applications. The lowest cost and t hc
shaping circuits. Selection of a method suitable for a particular
easiest way to reshape electric power for electronic equipment
case becomes a complicated decision making process. The
is to use a simple rectifier that converts ac to pulsating dc
complication normally arises from the difficulty of predicting
along with an energy storage capacitor to smooth voltage
how a filter will perform and what side effect� may be created
ripple. This type of electronic power conversion is used in
in a spccific system application.
everything from adjustable-speed drives to personal computers
To evaluate harmonic mitigation equipment performance
and other office electronic appliances. One of the side effects
in the electrical power system, the commercial building model
of the power conversion process is harmonic currents
shown in Fig. 2 is used. This model, from [1], represents a
generated into the power system. Experience has shown that
600-kVA service, 480/208-V building wiring, and 60-kW non­
these currents do not upset the end-use electronic equipment as
linear computer SMPS loading.
much as they overload neutral conductors and transformers,
and in general, cause additional losses and reduced power
Service SUD'panels Branch Circuil
or Load Center or Cord Connection
factor for the electrical power system components transporting
Entrance

the real power to the equipment. Three-phase Loads

: Builtinto
Fig. 1 shows single-phase rectifier interface circuits and
their input current waveforms. As can be seen the input
�II :Load Equipment

current contains significant harmonic components, causing the

2
most problems for the building wiring systems. 3

--40
Branches
PE-086-PWRS-2-06-1997 A paper recommended and approved by
per phase
the IEEE Power System Engineering Committee of the IEEE Power
Engineering Society for publication in the IEEE Transactions on Power
Systems. Manuscript submitted May 29, 1996; made available for Fi g. 2, Possible harmonic compensation locations in a typical
printing June 11, 1997. building eleclrical power system.

This paper analyzes seven different harmonic mitigation

methods in both time- and frequency-domain, calculates the
expected performance, identifies specific systems assumptions
and describes possible side effects. Both passive and active
approaches are considered at three compensation locations in
the building wiring system:

0885-8950/98/$10.00 © 1997 IEEE

 891

(1) built-into single-phase load equipment.
(2) cord connected at a single-phase branch outlet, and
(3) hard-wired at a three-phase sub-panel or load center.
For passive filters, the frequency response models are
established to show tuning at selected harmonic frequencies.
The utility source and rectifier loads arc simulated to account
[or system interactions, which are significant for some filters.
II. HARMONIC MITIGATION BUILT-INTO EQUIPMENT AND
PLVGGED-IN AT THE BRANCH CIRCUIT
Eliminating harmonics at their source has been shown to
Using a 15 percent series inductor as the study case, the
simulated rectifier input voltage, Vm, and current, iim are shown
in Fig. 4. Fig. 4(a) shows the steady-state time domain
responses where the input current tends to be continuous and
lagging the input voltage. Fig. 4(b) shows the harmonic
contcnts. Thc THD of the input current is 47.5 percent in this
case. The input voltage is not much distorted because the
source voltage, V.I> in this simulation is assumed to be an ideal
sine wave. The main problem found in this ease is the 15-
percent inductor also drops the dc-link voltage by 15 percent,
greatly reducing the ride through capability.
L,

be most effective to reduce losses in the building power system Switeh

[1,2]. However, the increased first cost presents a barrier to Mode
this approach. With inccntivcs such as TEC Standard 1000-3-2 Power
[3], many manufacturers are looking at ways to reduce Supply
harmonics inside electronic equipment or at the end of branch
circuits. Using the PC power supply case, possibilities of (al
limiting harmonics to comply with TEC have been analYLed
and tested by the authors. We will consider the four single­
phase methods. previously analyzed by the authors [4,5]: Switch
Mode
I. Built-into equipment
Power
• A series inductor added at the input circuit Supply
• An active boost converter with current-shaping circuit
2. Cord-connected
• A parallel-connected, series LC-resonant filter (b)
• A series-connected, parallel LC-resonant filter Fig. 3. Circuit diagrams showing dc-side series inductor for current
shaping. (a) Full-bridge rectifier. (b) Voltage-doubler rectifier.
A. Series Inductor Filter (SIF) 10
0.6
0.6
This filter is an option for the power supply manufacturer 0.4
0.2
who has concerns about standards limiting the current
distortion. It was pointed out by Lai [5] and Jovanovic [6] that
oo�������+H+H��
1.0
with a series inductor, SMPS harmonic currents can be
;�=\...,�� ,��'")
08
os
sigmficantly lowered to meet the IEC standard. The series : v v:
..
04
+- t 02
inductor can be added on either the ac or dc side. Fig. 3 o w
Time (ms)
00�����+H+H+H+H+rH+
1 3 5 7 9 11 131517 19 212325272931
illustrates the method of adding a series filter inductor, Leo on Harmonic Order
the dc side. For a full-bridge rectifier, thc inductor can be (a) (b)
simply added between the rectifier and the smoothing Fig. 4. Input voltage and current of a rectifier with a series inductor.
capacitor, Cd" as shown in Fig. 3(a). An input-side capacitor, (a) Time domain waveforms. (b) Frequency spectra.
Cm, is normally added to correct displacement power factor to
near unity. When adding the series inductor to a voltage­ B. Boost Converter Current Shaping (BCCS)
doubler type rectifier circuit, the inductor needs to be split in Like the SIF, this special circuit built into the SMPS can
two halves. These two inductors can be wound on separate greatly reduce current distortion and meet standards limiting
cores, or on the same core with mutual coupling, as shown in harmonic emissions. The boost converter is also called a "step­
Fig.3(b). up converter" which converts low-dc voltage to high-de
When the inductor size is sufficiently large, the current voltage. Fig. Sea) shows the circuit of a power supply
becomes continuous, and the total harmonic distortion (THD) containing a front-end boost converter. By modulating the duty
is greatly reduced. However, in continuous conduction mode cycle of switch Sb, the input current can be controlled to track
the displacement power factor will be lowered. A basic design the input voltage waveshape. Fig. 5(b) shows the associated
criterion is to produce a current between the discontinuous and input voltage, Vim and current, iin, waveforms. With low
continuous operation modes, which optimizes harmonic distortion and accurate tracking between current and voltage,
distortion and power factor. This brings current THD down to the power factor is typically higher than 0.99. Fig. 5(c) shows
below 50% with a power faetor around 0.90 [5, 6].
892

the harmonic spectra of the boost converter input voltage and uncontrolled loading from the supply, With the additional
current. Thc input currcnt THD is normally less than 5%. series inductor, the resonant frequency looking from the source
To achieve stable operation, the output voltage of a boost becomes I1JrL r + Lt)Cr . The frequency response of the PCRF
converter must be higher than the peak value of the inpul
filler circuit impedance, shown in Fig. 6(b), indicates I80-Hz
voltagc. With consideration of source voltage variations, the
trapping. Simulated input voltage and current waveforms, and
design rule is to multiply the nominal input voltage peak value
their harmonic spectra are shown in Fig. 6(c) and 6(d).
by 1.2 to obtain the dc link voltage, Vdr." For a universal
l1S/230-V system, Velc is typically designed at 38SV. This peRF
design rule implics that the boost convcrter will substantially R,. L,.
increase the ride through capability if the dc link capacitor,
C,lco is sufficiently sized. +i Rectifier
+

boost converter SMPS

(a)
150

dB

Cal
l_ElJ<Hz
1.0 <rC'�'�--c-����--�
100Hz

0.8 Frequency
0.6
(b)
I- L . / 0.4
\ ff _
\ I 0.2
0.0 i"H-H--fL++-fo+-H+++4-'+l-+++-H-H-l+++-H

1 .0
0.8
0.6
.. ... .. ..
· .. · . ·

···;·7 ....··;;-·,·.... .. ·..,.· .. ·... ·....

0.4 lIIT' I 0 --'--r--"-��

0.2
0.0 .J"H'"l4'+-I44-p,""+++i·+'·1-- f.. t· - ;j\,i,P ·
>" ·�+ i;/r
""/\�,:,r Hi
1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 1921 2325 2729 31
0/ \" , 0.2
, 1 00
Time (ms)
Ijarmonic Order
50 1 3 5 7 9 11 13151719212325272931
(bl (cl Harmonic Order
Fig. 5, Inserting a boost converter cunent shaping circuit between the (c) (d)
rectifier and SMPS. (a) Circuit diagram. (b) Input voltage and current
Fig. 6, A parallel connected resonant fil te r (peRF). (al Circuit
waveforms. (c) Harmonic sp ectra.
diagram. (b) Frequency responses of resonant circuit impedance. (e)
C. Parallel Connected Resonant Filter (PCRF) Time domain simulation results, (d) Harmonic spectra.

An add on appliance, this filter is usually configured to Tt should be noted that the power factor of the peRF is

plug into a convenience outlet and serve as a plug in point for leading with respect to fundamental voltage and current. The

2 to 4 electronic devices. Fig. 6(a) shows the circuit diagram current in the resonant filter branch is a function of frequency

of a commercially available peRF. The resonant branch and can be e xp re s sed as:

Zr as a function of jcoCr (2)

( )-
impedance frequency can be expressed as
ILrW- Vin
ZrCw)=joLr + 1 (1) I-w 2 Lrer
JwCr
_. __ .

where Vin is the voltage across the resonant branch, The

The impedance approaches zero when W=!4 = I/JLrCr, whcre resonant branch current, hn is leading when the supply
frequency is lower than the resonant frequency. Under light
!4 is the "resonant frequency," In other words, the designated
harmonic current shunts through the parallel branch and
load conditions, the leading reactive current hr is significantly
higher than the real component of the load current. Such a
circulates between the filter and the rectifier circuit. To
k(l{ling current worsens the power factor of the individual
mitigate the third harmoniC, the resonant frequency is tuned to
power supply but may help compensate other lagging reactivc
180 Hz, w=2n/180. A realistic passive component contains a
power in the building wiring system. The dc link voltage,
lossy resistance which provides some damping. However, if
typically reflected by a flat-topped portion of the rectifier input
the electric power supply voltage contains some third
voltage, Vim is not affected much by the added peRF, and thus
harmonic, the resonant branch may still be overloaded hy third
the ride-through capability remains unaffected,
harmonic current. Thus, a series inductor, Lj, is added to
detune the PCRF on the supply-side and reduce this D. Series Connected Resonant Filter (SCRF)
 893

Like the parallel version, this is a plug-in filter that serves III. HARMONIC MITIGATION METHODS AT SUB­
several other electronic devices with a typical rating of 6 amps. PANEL OR LOAD-CENTER LEVEL
The SCRF can be single-tuned or multi-tuned. For a single­
tuned SCRF the impedance of the filter circuit as a function of Mitigation at the branch circuit-panel or load-center level

the supply frequency can be derived as: using 3-phase filters is the next step away from the plug­
conneetcd filters. For parallel-connected filtering devices at
\Z,(W)\= �� m the load center, harmonics are allowed to travel further
I 2 2 2 '
-VR,(l-W C,L,)+w L, upstream in the power system. This leads to higher day-to-day

The multi-tuned SCRF connects multiple tuned filters in

costs that will accumulate due to lR losses in power system
conductors that carry the harmonic currents. Conversely, for
series. Fig. 7(a) is a double-tuned SCRF containing a third
harmonic tuned LC circuit, LrJ and C], and a high frequency
series-connected devices at the load center, such as a series
connected choke or tuned filter, there are increased losses in
tuned LC circuit, Lrh and Crh, to eliminate high-order
the filter itself. These losses are simply the result of the higher
harmonics. Fig. 7(h) indicates the filter impedance peaks at
series impedance, which blocks the flow of harmonics, but also
180-Hz and 1.02-kHz. Figs. 7(c) and 7(d) show the simulated
increases the linc loss required to deliver thc remaining
input voltage and current waveforms and harmonic spectra.
components of the load current.
Fig. 7(d) indicates a much-improved current THD (from 100%
to 25%). However, a flat-topped portion of the rectifier input All external methods for mitigating harmonics at the
individual load level can be applied at the sub-panel or load
voltage, VIn, is observed in Fig. 7(c). The peak V,n value is
center level. Three methods are considered i n this paper.
significantly less than the peak supply input voltage, V.I> (about
75%). As a result, the SMPS ride-through capability is 1. Neutral current blocking filter (NCF)
suhstantially reduced. A single-tuned SCRF, with only LrJ and 2. Zigzag auto-transformer grounding filter (ZZP)
Cd, may increase the peak Vin value to about 88% of the peak 3. Active power filters (APF)
V.I value, but its current THD will be increased to about 45':70.
A. Neutral Current Blocking Filter (NCF)
v·I v·In
--1 ---------------1�
SeRF
This filter is connected in the neutral conductor betwecn
: Cd Crh : the step-down transformer and the circuit panel or load center.
,
I

Because triplcn harmonics all flow through the neutral

conductor, it is reasonable and economical to block the triplen
+ harmonics in the neutral instead of individual phases. Fig. 8(a)
SMPS shows a neutral current blocking scheme that connects a third­
harmonic tuned SCRF between neutral and ground. Fig. 8(b)
(a) compares frequency responses of the resonant circuit
18G impedance, IZrl, with and without the system connected. It
appears that at high frequencies the impedance is highly
affected by system components including source impedance
dB
and rectifier smoothing capacitors in all three phases. With the
system connected, a sharp notch occurs at 900 kHz. This
implies highcr frequcncy harmonics could bc amplified instead
100Hz 1 .0KHz 10�llz
of attenuated.
Frequency Figs. 8(c;) shows the phase-a voltage and current
(b) waveforms. The two voltage waves are the rectifier input
voltage with respect to neutral, V,,_," , and to ground, V"a, The
LO�-��,·
0.8 two current waves are the phase-a rectifier input current, ia_in,
0.6
0.4 under the conditions with and without NCF. With NCF the
0.2
00 1"H_'HAf¥f-�_H-t+HH++H_t+w+I current waveform looks like a three-phase rectifier input
LO
1 3 5 7 9 1113151719212325�'72931
. ............•.•.{
current with double peaks instead of a single peak. The peak
0.8
0.6 iUt,•. '.+' -l; I value of thc fundamental current is significantly reduced with
0.4 NCF.
�:� _'-R'_�M4-++l++-++f+++HiW
+ Fig. 8(d) compares harmonic spectra of the rectifier input
Time (ms) 50 1 35 7 91113151719212325:>72931

Harmonic Order voltage and currcnt under the conditions with and without
(c) NCF. According to this figure, the triplen harmonics are
(d)
effectively suppressed with NCF, but other harmonics tend to
Fig. 7. A double-tuned series connected resonant filter (SeRF). (a) increase. This augmcntation of high frequency components
Circuit dillgmm. (b) Fn'q""n.y «"ponses of rcwn<lnt circuit. (c)
indeed rcflect5 the prediction of the frequency re'pon,e
Time domain simulation results. (d) Harmonic spectra.
894

analysis. The phase-a rectifier input voltage, Va_in, of Fig. X(c)

indicates a flat-topped portion that lowers the dc-link voltage Vbl V;"I sin(cot -120') + VOl3 sin 3(cot -12 0')+..
by about 12 percent, which will decrease the ride-through
= Vb2 =
(4)
V'"I sinew! + 120') + V;,,3 sin3(wt + 120')+··
capability of electronic equipment in a similar manner to the
Vd = v" =

seRF where Vllf, Vhf, VcJ are the three-phase primary winding
v oltages , and Vab Vhb Vc2 are the secondary winding voltages.
VO\·
L,1.I' ia_in With phase to neutral windings split and wound on two
VaG different legs of a 3 legged core, each pair on a leg is reversed
in polarity as shown in Fig. 9(a). Fig. 9(b) is the phasor
Lbs -¥- ib_in
diagram showing the vector summation of the phase winding
voltages. By this method the balanced triplen harmonic
voltages are canceled in the phase voltages, i.e.,

V Ill' = Val - V/;2

= .J3vnd �in«(j)t + 30') + 0 + .J3vms sin(5wt- 30' )+_ .. . (5)

This equation shows that the triplen harmonic voltages are

". not present in the phase voltages, and the triplen currents are
: Neutral Harmonic
trapped in the zigzag transformer windings. By adding more
, ________ : Blocking Filter
phasc-shifted zigzag windings, with different phase angle and
winding arrangements, the positive and negative sequence
(a)

harmonic currents such as 5th and 7th harmonic currents can

d�'L�::j�N��OIY��l also be canceled [7].

-20 -
10Hz
� --- ---------- -� lr:!te. J?9! i
189Hz
t{ -1 .8KHz
- - -- ____

5. 8KHz
J
Frequency
(b )

1.0

?tt:,�'/\��:n7\""'1 0.8
0.6
• \ I \) \ ! 0.4
0.2
l ......y...... _\.........yJ 0.0 -I'I-1"H-1'-f';·-l+4'-1+4+H-+++-4 ++1...>+1"++14
1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 1921 2325272931
1.0
w: ' .... wI6
• f\f\"NCFflV0 NCF 0.8
· ··· ,

11'\ 0.6 (a)

:,.' I:IT"" \ v{r.JV\ ''<[\/1 0.4
: la in '¥' \i , 0.2
0.0
f..�-- --l

o Time (ms) 50 135 91113151719212325272931

(c) (d)

Fig. 8. A neutral current blocking filter. (a) Circuit diagram. (b)

Frequency response of the circuit impedance. (a) Time·domain
simulation results. (b) Harmonic Sp ec tra

B. Zigzag Grounding Filter (ZZF)

Another way to protect the step-down transformer and (b)
shared-neutral conductor from triplen harmonics is to cancel
Fig. 9. A typi c al zigzagauto-transformer showing connections to
them near the load. Fig. 9 shows a special zigzag grounding three-phase nOll-linear loads.
filter (ZZF) that employs a three-phase autotransformer to
caned tho 3rd or trip I on lmnnonic curn;nts Pl. Because all the rig. 10 SllOWS simulation results of a three-phase system
tr iplen harmonic currents (zero sequence cUlTents) are added with and without a ZZF. The system is again assumed to be
to the neutral and flowing from load-side back to source-side balanced with the load-side neutral current, im containing
neutral, the parallel-connected auto-transformer can provide a mostly triplen harmonics. The neutral connection of the zigzag
zero sequence current path to trap and cancel the triplen auto-transformer draws a current, i" and cancels in because
harmonics. they are nearly identical in magnitude, but in opposite
The basic harmonic cancellation principle can be directions.
understood by looking at the transformer phase voltages:
 895

Because the transformer draws a lagging cxcitatJlOn C. Active Power Filter (APF)
current, the source current could be augmented with a higher
Electronic power conditioners can be controlled to
fundamental current. Fig. 11 shows voltage and current
actively eliminate harmonics and improve power factor. The
harmonic spectra with and without ZZF compensation. I As
critical point is the fast and accurate calculation of the required
expected, the ZZF reduces current THD from about 100%
compensation current. In a three-phase power system, the
down to about 30%, and the triplen harmonics are almost
instantaneous harmonic power can be decomposed by a Park
canceled. The fundamental current, however, is almost
transformation method [8,9]. To derive harmonic power, it is
doubled at low-load conditions. Although the percentage of the
necessary to look at the instantaneous load voltages, Vabco and
current augmented hy ZZF may be reduced at higher load
instantaneous load currents, iahc. These voltage and current
current conditions, the performance dependence on load
components can be transformed into a, {3, and 0 components,
condition is obvious. It should be noted that the ZZF current iz
va{JO and ia{JO [9]. With the orthogonal relationship between a
is fixed and irrespective to the level of non-linear loading.
and {3, the active and non-active power components can be
Therefore, if the load level is low, and the system is not well­
described as:
balanced, the zigzag auto-transformer will produce an over­
compensated current, possibly worsening the current THD and
P = vuhe • iabc = vexPO • iapo (6)
power factor.
With a parallel-connection to the system, the effect of the (7)
ZZF on the dc-link voltage is not significant, and the ride
through is not affected. The active power, p, is a scalar, containing real power at
2 0A T ----------------------------------- l all frequencies. But the non-active power, q,,{JO, is a vector
iu,=ia_�� containing both fundamental frequency reactive power and all
SEL»:
-2SA�-----------------------------------�
the distortion components of non-real power. To fully
compensate for such a complex non-active power, an APF or a
Phase-a Load Current
power line conditioner using a high frequency switching
25A r-------_---------------------------�

inverter is required.

-2SA
W:;VVV\I\N1
r-----------------------------------�
An active filter with both series and parallel (shunt)
connected sections, as shown in Fig. 12, can compensate for
SOms Neutral Current lOOms
hoth voltage and current harmonics. Perhaps the more
(a)
common one is the paralIe:l-type current compensating filter,
which can be a fully active parallel-type filter or the

,:,:,����-J
-2SA�-----------------------------------�
combination of passive and active sections that allows a
smaller active section. The other approach to reduce the size

25A
Phase-a Load and Source Currents
-
of the active section is to use the combination of pa sive shunt s
:.�)f (�\;:;I\.�J\ �/\�-Jj �-J\�·�Pr���
:V. }\J i'J' V\\)c ·V·. \). .\j V:
and active series filters. This approach can avoid possible

- 25A r- . )- .
- - - - - �-- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - �
.•
interaction between two fillters. More and more commercial
products are becoming available for different types of active
SOms -1, Load-Side Neutral and lOOms
ZZF Neutral Currents
harmonic filtering.

(b)
Fig. 10. Simulation results of a three-phase nonlinear system. (a)
Without ZZF. (b) With ZZF. �
--��OM�---
--- ---r�-
�
Source

P'WM Controlled
Series Filter
,------ --------------- -,
--
Shunt Filter
-

!W':

ill:
1 3 5 7 9 11 13151719212325272931

Harmonic Order

Fig. 11. Harmonic spectra of voltages and currents with and without Fig. 12. A power line conditioner containing a series and a shunt
a zigzag filter. active filters for harmonic voltage and current compensation.
896

In the filter shown in Fig. 12 the shunt-connected active mitigation at different locations. As was reported in [1], the
filter section operates like a current source and injects an equal most effective performance comes from harmonic elimination
and opposite current to cancel the load harmonic current. The methods that are built-in or closest to the harmonic generating
resulting source current is nearly sinusoidal but the voltage loads.
may still be distorted. At the series-connected active filler TableI. P erformance C omparison of Harmonic MltiGalion l\1eth0 ds
section voltage distortion is compensated using a coupling Location build-in at plug at load center
transformer. The coupling transformer operates as a voltage Mit i gation type none SIF BCCS PCRF SCRF NCF ZZF APF
source that forces the source voltage, and consequently the & performance
load current, to become more sinusoidal. fTHD at source 100 50 5 20 25 65 30 5
This approach provides some isolation between source side (%)
and load allowing secondary voltage to be controlled by the fTHV at load side 100 50 5 100- 25 65 100
]
100
]

coupling transformer. The series clement also hehaves like a (%)

VTHlJ at load -5 <3 <3 -10 --40 -20 -5 -5
high impedance to harmonic currents, therefore blocking
harmonic current flow from the load to the ac source and from inp ut ( % )
the ac source to the load side. Because this connection V"c inside the 100 85 120 102 75 88 99 100
SMPS (% rated
requires intrusion to the system connection, the series APF or
the combination of series and shunt APF is more suitable for a
Wiring lossesI 13.6 7.9 5.6 6.0 .
6.2 1 1 3 11.1 7.8
(% of loading)
new installation than as a retrofitted device.
I Based on a 60-kW load system With detailed calculatIOn shown 111
Fig. 13 shows simulation results of a three-phasc APF
[2).
compensating a three-phase diode rectifier load. Waveforms
2 A single-phase SMPS is used as the base case.
show that both source voltage from phase to neutral, V" and 3 Parallel connection does not affect the load side current THD.
load current, [!.flad are compensated. The current THD was
reduced from 65% to 5% in this case. As indicated in Table I, the BeeS is the best approach in
terms of harmonic mitigation performance and wiring loss

� -- --i --;:;::-+ V, /'-.. /""0,. ..-.... reduction. The only concern of this method is the c os t to the
SrF
...... "-.r ....... --- :::::::
original equipment manufacturer. The may appear
r-- -
,---- -- -- - - --
potentially lower cost while meeting IEC 1000-3-2, but its loss

1/' fLoad f1 - reduction is not high enough to benefit the users. Passive
r-' -- --� resonant filters including PCRF, SCRF and NCF are effective
\i
in suppression of triplen harmonics, but they tend to distort the
The APF performs well in terms of
j--. Starting Compensation voltage waveform.
harmonic mitigation, but not the wiring loss reduction because
Fig. 13 Simulation results of an APF compensating a three-phase
its installation is typically far away from the single-phase load.
diode rectifier load.
In addition to harmonic compensation performance
analysis, the paper points out two important side effects of
IV. DISCUSSION
passive filters in the power system.
For the harmonic elimination methods analyzed in this I. Rectifier input voltage distortion and output dc link
paper wc have attempted to compare performances based on capacitor voltage reduction by series connected filters.
several chosen parameters, such as current and voltage 2. Rectifier input current augmentation by parallcl connected
distortions, energy savings and side effects. Table I filters.
summarizes this performance comparison for filter methods Regarding the first of these side effects, the paper shows
used with single-phase SMPS. that the load voltage distortion increases, and the rectifier
The numbers shown in the table are based on the output dc-capacitor voltage in-side the SMPS is reduced by the
analytical results in our model and will not necessarily be the addition of the series-connected filters including SIF, SeRF
same under different conditions or with a different system and NCF. This side effect has two consequences related to the
model. System interactions are expected to bring about a loads served:
variation in measured field data, because of the different case­
(a) Reduction of ride-through capability due to voltage
by-case conditions. For e)(ample, without compensation the
distortion.
(T'D in this case is 100%, but in general it varies from 80% to
Because Vde is directly fed to the switch-mode
130%.
regulator, the reduction of Vdc would dramatically
The example building wiring system studied in this paper
reduce the ride-through capability. On the other hand.
contains 240 distributed SMPS loads on 120 branch circuits
the boost converter increases VJe by at least 20%, its
presented and evaluated in [1] and [2]. The wiring losses, not
ride - thro ugh capability can be easily enhanced with a
calculated in this paper. are used in comparing performance to
proper-sized capacitor.
emphasize the loss reduCtion and effectiveness of harmonic
 897

(b) Increased heating and reduced performance in other need to comply with up-coming harmonic standards, and the
connected equipment. potential for unexpected poor performance and side effects,
the selection of the appropriate filter becomes a more
The flat-topped portion of the rectifier input voltage
is the reflection of Vdc' When it occurs at the sub­ complicated process. The explanation and analysis of the

panel or load-center level, the distorted voltage also different harmonic elimination provided in this paper

serves other types of loads such as lighting and illustrates what will be required to make this choice.

rotating equipment. The side effects are the increased Since only one generic commercial building case is

heating and reduced performance in these equipment evaluated in this paper, future work is needed to look at

due to high voltage harmonics. several different installation cases. This is necessary to
completely determine the sensitivity and the range of
The reduction of the dc link capacitor voltage, Vdn is
performance for different harmonic e liminatio n m ethods.
related to the series impedance in the circuit. When adding a
15% series inductance, the SIP drops Vde by 15%, as compared
to the same branch circuit with only the rectifier loading. For
REFEREl'\CE
the SCRF method, the voltage drop depends on the number of
resonant circuit stages. A double-tuned SCRF drops Vd,. by [1] T.Key and 1. S. Lai, "Cost and Benefits of Harmonic Current
Reduction fur Switch-Mode Power Supplies in a Commercial
25%, while a single-tuned SCRF drops about 12%. However,
Building," in Conf Rec. of IEEE lAS Annu. MIg., Orlando, FL,
the current THD of a single - tuned SCRF will be higher than
Oct.1995,pp. llOl-ll08.
that of a double-tuned SCRF, 45% as compared to 25% [4].
[2] J. S. Lai and T. S. Key, "Cost Effectiveness of Harmonic
With the NCF, the voltage drop in a balanced three-phase
Mitig ati on Equipment for Commercial Office Buildings," to be
system is about 12%, similar to the single-phase single-tuned presented in IEEIi lAS Annu. Mig., San Dieg o CA. Oct. 1996.
,

SCRF case. [3] International Electrotechnical Commission. lEe 1000-3-2

The second important side effect observed is the Standard: Limits for Hannonic Current Emissions, M ar 1995. .

characteristic of some parallel-connected harmonic mitigation [4] J. S Lai, D. H urs t and T. Key, "Switch-Mode Power Supply
,

methods to increase current harmonics. In this case the SMPS Power Factor Improvement Via Harmonic Elimination
M eth ods, in Calif Rec. oJAppl. Pwr Electr. Calif, Dallas, TX,
rectifier input current generates higher-order harmonics due to
"

M ar . 1991, pp. 415-422 .

parallel connected filters such as the PCRF and ZZF.
l5J
These parallel connected filters tend to inject currents into
the system. The PCRF il�ects a leading current, while the ZZF
T. S. Key and J. S. Lai, Com pari son o f St andards and Power
"
Supply Design Opti ons for Li mi ti ng Harmonic Distortion,"
IEEE TrailS. all Ilid. Appl. Jul.lAug. 1993, pp. 688-695.
.

injects a lagging current. The injected current in effect [6] M. M. Jovanovic and D. E. Crow, "Merits and LimItations of
aug m en t s the out-of-phase fundamental current components, Full-Bridge Rectifier wi th LC Filter in M eeting IEC 1000-3-2
reducing displacement power factor. The cffect is wor:;c at Harmonic-Limit Sp ecific ati on s " in Conf Rec. of Appl. Pwr
,

light-load conditions.
Given the typical unknown system details, especially the
other connected loads, it is difficult to predict the subsequent
effect of the parallel filter. Because the other system load may
have either leading or lagging power factor, the injected
current could provide some useful reactive compensation for
some of them, but on the other hand, it may over compensate
and worsen the leading or lagging condition.
V. CONCULSIONS
This paper describes basic principles, typical installation
locations, performance and side effects of common harmonic
mitigation methods used in building wiring systems. With the
Electr. Calif, Dallas, TX, Mar. 1991, pp. 4 15-422.
[7] P. J. A. Ling and C. J. Eldridge, "Designing Modern Electrical
Systems w ith Transformers that Inherently Reduce Harmonic
Distortion in a PC-Rich Environment," in Prac. Power Qualily,
Scpo 1994, pp. 166-178.
[8] H. Akagi, Y. Kanazawa, and A. N ab ae, "Instantaneous Reactive
Power Compensators Comprising Switching Devices WIthout
Ene rgy Storage Components," IEEE Trans. on Ind. Appl. May
1984, pp. 625-631.
[9] F.Z. Peng and 1. S. Lai, "Generalized Instantaneous Reactive
Power Theory for Three-P h as e Power S y s te ms," IEEE Trans. on
Instr. and Meas., Feb. 1996, pp. 2 93-297.