Influence of harmonic currents on cable losses for different grid configurations

Abstract

Nowadays, both industrial and residential consumers use power electronics with the aim of rational use of energy or the implementation of distributed generation. However, power electronics may cause harmonic currents. Since cable losses are function of the rms current, harmonic currents will increase cable losses. This contribution analyses the influence of the current harmonic spectrum on low voltage cable losses. Grid configurations are discussed with the aim to optimize cable joule losses in case of nonlinear load conditions.