Harmonic Analysis

Our company has the capability to detect anomalies in the electrical system through harmonic analysis.

Distortions and harmonic disturbances arise in industrial facilities that have improved and automated their processes with advanced electronics in devices such as variable-speed drives, air conditioning, compressors, elevators, fans and similar reactive power loads, which are equipped with rectifiers, modulators and other components. They can distort the waveform of the current passing through the electrical system, which leads to improper operation.

We have specialized equipment and appropriate instruments used in the field of electrical measurement for both DC and AC systems.

The non-linear loads (rectifiers, power oscillators, controllers, ovens, DC-motor drives, variable frequency AC motor controllers, etc.) absorb current from the grid in non-sinusoidal pulses. These currents are have a fundamental component known as a "HARMONIC".

These currents appear in electrical systems, due to the use of loads with non-linear impedances, ferro-magnetic materials, and in general, the use of computers that have to perform switching during their normal operation.

Our Power Quality Analyzer

Kyoritsu 6310A : It enables us to perform power quality and harmonics analyses. It can be used with several connection systems, to take measurements of instantaneous values, integral values or demanded values, and also to monitor waves and vectors, analyze harmonics, measure fluctuations in feeder voltages, and to estimate capacities.

Measurements

  • The Kyoritsu 6310A has accessories such as current clamps, flexible converter, voltage connections, crocodile clamps, voltage cable, which can safely measure currents up to 3000A.
  • As part of the power quality analysis, the analyzer can perform a full analysis of grid-supplied power. In other words, the harmonic analyzer measures the phase angle, harmonics, apparent energy, active power, and work. It also detects Swells / Dips / Shorts and transient interruptions.
  • Our job is to perform studies leading to solutions for correcting the power factor and harmonic disturbances that affect industrial and commercial facilities.

A safe and reliable electrical installation is one where the electrical component count is reduced to a minimum, and where the probability is also minimized for accidents that can affect the health of workers during normal operations.

The appearance of harmonics in currents and/or voltages in the electrical system creates problems such as:

  • Measurement errors.
  • Insulation damages.
  • Deterioration of dielectric materials.
  • Decrease in the service life of equipment.
  • An increase in active-power losses.
  • Surges in the capacitors.
  •  Malfunctions in protection devices.
  •  Among others.

Solutions for harmonics:

  • We solve the problem of harmonics injected into the system by designing and placing filters in the low voltage side, using the transformer itself as a barrier.
  •  We solve the problem globally, seeking to reduce losses and maintain harmonic levels below permissible limits. This is a case of an optimization problem where we determine the location of compensators (capacitors, passive filters, active filters).