Power factor and harmonic compensation in industrial power systems with nonlinear loads

Abstract

Industrial power systems are often characterized as large consumers of reactive power and significant generators of harmonics because most of the load is generally composed of induction motors and static power converters. Consequently, this article analyzes a typical power system configuration where is it desirable to install power factor capacitors and tuned harmonic filters for reactive power compensation and harmonic control. The resonant conditions for a given power factor correction or a harmonic frequency are determined directly from the roots of a quadratic expression. This formulation also allows a quick evaluation of power factor range with excessive harmonic levels, as well as effects of tuned reactors on the resonant frequencies.<>