Power Quality, THD, Power Factor and Solutions

Power Quality

Power electronics make modern life possible and enable all other areas of innovation. Although stable power delivery seems like a simple problem, the design of a high-efficiency power transmission and conversion system is prone to several problems that reduce efficiency by reducing delivered power. Nonlinear components are needed in power electronics to control the flow of power and ensure regulation, but the level of distortion they create needs to be quantified and understood during design.

Harmonic distortion is unavoidable in any nonlinear system, and it needs to be considered alongside intended power delivery to a load component. Harmonic distortion in an AC waveform occurs when the waveform interacts with a nonlinear component or circuit. Because the component exhibits nonlinear impedance, the waveform being output from a nonlinear component or circuit will be distorted compared to the input waveform.

Total Harmonic Distortion

Total harmonic distortion (THD) is an important aspect in power systems and it should be kept as low as possible. Lower THD in power systems means higher power factor, lower peak currents, and higher efficiency. Low THD is such an important feature in power systems that international standards such as IEC 61000-3-2 set limits on the harmonic currents of various classes of power equipment. 

Power Factor

Total harmonic distortion and power quality can be summarized using a single metric: the power factor. For nonlinear components or nonlinear circuits, we often call this metric the distortion power factor. Just like the power factor used in linear reactive circuits, the real power dissipated by a load depends on the phase angle between the delivered voltage and current. However, it also depends on how much power is carried in the fundamental harmonic compared to the higher order harmonics.

How to reduce Harmonics in power networks?

As harmonic correction unit, YTPQC-AHF Active Harmonic Filter provide dynamic harmonic mitigation and power factor correction by actively injecting reactive currents into an electrical distribution system to cancel damaging harmonic currents and supporting power factor requirements at the point of connection. 

How to correct poor power factor in power networks?

As Active Compensation unit, YTPQC-SVG Static Var Generator is the revolutionary new standard in reactive energy compensation. When the load is generating inductive or capacitive current, YTPQC-SVG makes the load current lag or leads the voltage. YT is pleased to offer our range of SVG to provide an immediate and effective response to power quality problems in low voltage electric power systems.

For more information about cost of Static Var Generator and Active Harmonic Filter, contact sales@yt-electric.com