Appendix G

Estimating Line Harmonics

The harmonic generation is a function of the topology of the harmonic producing

equipment (Chap. 17). Six-pulse current source converters are most commonly
applied and the harmonic estimation from these has been discussed in Chap. 17,
and is visited again. Figure G-1 shows the line current waveforms. The theoretical or
textbook waveform is rectangular and considers instantaneous commutation, Fig.
G.1(a). The effect of commutation delay and firing angle still retains the flat-top
assumption, Fig. G-1(b). The dc current is not flat-topped and the actual waveform
has a ripple, Fig. G-1(c). For lower values of the dc reactor and large phase-control
angles the current is discontinuous, Fig. G-1(d).

G.1 WAVEFORM WITHOUT RIPPLE CONTENT

An estimation of the harmonics ignoring waveform ripple is provided by Eqs.
(17.45)–(17.49), which are reproduced below for ease of reference:
rffiffiffi pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
6 A2 þ B2
2AB cosð2 þ Þ
I h ¼ Id ðG:1Þ

h½cos 
cosð þ Þ
where
h i
sin ðh
1Þ
A¼ 2 ðG:2Þ
h
1
and
h i
sin ðh þ 1Þ
B¼ 2 ðG:3Þ
hþ1
The angle  is given by
 ¼ cos
1 ½cos 
ðXs þ Xt ÞId 
 ðG:4Þ

Copyright 2002 by Marcel Dekker, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

 820 Appendix G

Figure G-1 (a) Rectangular current waveform; (b) waveform with commutation angle; (c)
waveform with ripple content; (d) discontinuous waveform due to large delay angle control.

We also defined Xs and Xt as the system and transformer reactance in per unit on a
converter base and Id as the dc current in per unit on a converter base. The calcula-
tion is illustrated with an example:
Consider a 2-MVA delta–wye, 13.8–0.48 kV transformer, impedance 5.75%,
and a supply system short-circuit level of 500 MVA. The six-pulse converter operates
with  ¼ 458.
Considering a converter base equal to the rated kVA of the transformer and
converting the transformer and source impedances to a converter base, we have:
Xt ¼ 0:0575 and Xs ¼ 0:004 in per unit. The resistance is ignored. From Eq. (G.4):
 ¼ cos
1 ½cos 458
ð0:0575 þ 0:004Þ
458 ¼ 4:88
We will calculate the magnitude of the fifth harmonic. From Eq. (G.2), A = 0.0417
and from Eq. (G.3), B = 0.0414. Substituting these values into Eq. (G.1), we have a
fifth harmonic current equal to 27.47% of the dc current.
For large gating angles and relatively small commutation angles, the current
can be assumed to be trapezoidal. For this waveform:
pffiffiffi
Ih 2 sin h
=3 sin h=2
¼2   ðG:5Þ
Id

h=2

Copyright 2002 by Marcel Dekker, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

 Estimating Line Harmonics 821

or
Ih 1 sin h=2 sin h
=3
¼   ðG:6Þ
I1 h h=2 sin
=3
where I, is fundamental fequency current.
We will calculate the fifth harmonic current, based on Eqs (G.5) and (G.6).
From Eq. (G.5):
pffiffiffi
2: 2 sin 3008 sin 128
Ih ¼ ¼ 0:2465Id


0:2094
We are more interested in the harmonics as a percentage of the fundamental
frequency current and, from Eq. (G.6), Ih = 19.86% of the fundamental current.

G.2 WAVEFORM WITH RIPPLE CONTENT

The above equations ignored ripple content. Figure G-2 considers a ripple content,
which is sinusoidal, and a sine half-wave is superimposed on the trapezoidal wave-
form. The following equations are applicable [1].
2   
3
pffiffiffi sin h
sin h rc gh cos h
2 26 6 3 2 7
I h ¼ Ic 4  þ 
6 75 ðG:7Þ

h2 1
sin þ
2 3 2
where h 
 i h 
 i h 
 
 i
sin ðh þ 1Þ
sin ðh
1Þ
2 sin h
sin þ
gh ¼ 6 2 þ 6 2
6 2 3 2
hþ1 h
1 h
ðG:8Þ
where Ic is the value of the dc current at the end of the commutation, and rc is the
ripple coefficient ð¼ i=Ic Þ.
In Fig. G-2 the time zero reference is at !t 0 ¼ 0, at the center of the current
block. This is even symmetry and, therefore, only cosine terms are present. The
instantaneous current is then:
pffiffiffi
ih ¼ Ih 2 cos n!t 0 ðG:9Þ

Figure G-2 Trapezoidal current waveform with superimposed sinusoidal ac ripple.

Copyright 2002 by Marcel Dekker, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

 822 Appendix G

The current harmonics referred to !t 0 ¼ 0 (Fig. G-2) are

pffiffiffi n

ih ¼ Ih 2 sin sin½nð!t
1 Þ ðG:10Þ
2

where 1 is the phase angle between fundamental current and source voltage
ð¼  þ =2Þ.
We will continue with the p example
ffiffiffi to illustrate the method of calculation.
Consider that Vdo = 2.34 (480/ 3) = 648 V. The short-circuit current on the
480-V bus is designated as Is = 39 kA. Let Ic = 2 kA, and Vd/Vdo = pffiffi0.8,
ffi where
Vd is the dc operating voltage and Vdo is the no load voltage; then, Ic/Is 2 = 0.036.
Using these values and from Fig. G-3 for  ¼ 458, the overlap angle  can be read as
approximately 4:58. Let us say it is 4:88, as before.
Entering the values of  and Vd/Vdo = 0.8 in Fig. G-4, we read Ar = 0.1,
where Ar is the voltage-ripple integral or the ripple area.
Calculate the ripple current i ¼ Ar Vdo =Xr :

Xr ¼ !Ld þ 2Xc

where Xr is ripple reactance, Ld is the inductance in the dc circuit in H, and Xc is the

commutating reactance.
First consider that there is no dc inductance, Xr = 2Xc = 20.0071 ohms (the
reactance of the transformer and the source referred to the 480-V side), and that
i ¼ 4563, then the ripple coefficient rc ¼ i=Ic ¼ 2:28.
Now, the harmonics as a percentage of the fundamental current can be calcu-
lated graphically from Figs. G-5(a)–(h) from Ref. [1]. Negative values indicate a
phase shift of
, and I1 is the fundamental frequency current.

Figure G-3 Converter load curves for six-pulse bridge.

Copyright 2002 by Marcel Dekker, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

 Estimating Line Harmonics 823

Figure G-4 Voltage-ripple integral for calculation of ripple current i.

Continuing with the example, and entering Fig. G-5(a) for  ¼ 4:8 and
rc ¼ 2:28, we find that it is outside the range on the X axis. An approximate value
of 40% fifth harmonic can be read.
More accurately, Eqs. (G.7) and (G.8) can be used. From Eq. (G.8), and
substituting the numerical values:

sin 165:68 sin 110:48 2ðsin 1388 sin 62:48Þ

gh ¼ þ
¼ 0:03875
6 4 5

Figure G-5 (a)–(h) Harmonic currents in per unit of fundamental frequency current as a
function of rc .

Copyright 2002 by Marcel Dekker, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

 Figure G-5 (Continued)

Copyright 2002 by Marcel Dekker, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

 Figure G-5 (Continued)

Copyright 2002 by Marcel Dekker, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

 826 Appendix G

Figure 6-5 (Continued)

and from Eq. (G.7):

pffiffiffi

2 2 sin 3008 sin 128 ð2:28Þð0:03857Þ cos 1508

Ih ¼ þ ¼
0:762Ic

1:0472 0:113

The ratio of currents I1 =Ic is given in Fig. G-6. For rc = 2.28, it is 1.8 and therefore
the fifth harmonic in terms of the fundamental current is 42.3%. This is close to 40%
estimated from the graphs.

Figure G-6 Fundamental line current and commutation current as a function of rc .

Copyright 2002 by Marcel Dekker, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

 Estimating Line Harmonics 827

If a dc inductor of 1 mH is added, then Xr ¼ 0:3912 ohms, i ¼ 165:6, the

ripple coefficient rc ¼ i=Ic ¼ 0:08, and the fifth harmonic reduces to 20% of the
fundamental current. The reader may also refer to classical work in Ref. [2] and a
recent work in Ref. [3].

G.3 PHASE ANGLE OF HARMONICS

When a predominant harmonic source acts in isolation, it may not be necessary to
model the phase angles of the harmonics. For multiple harmonic sources, phase
angles should be modeled. Figure G-7(a) shows the time–current waveform of a
six-pulse current source converter, when the phase angles are represented and it is
recognizable as the line current of a six-pulse converter, with overlap and no ripple
content; however, the waveform of Fig. G-7 (b) has exactly the same spectra, but all
the harmonics are cophasial. It can be shown that the harmonic current flow and the
calculated distortions for a single-source harmonic current will be almost identical

Figure G-7 (a) Six-pulse converter current, harmonics at proper angles; (b) all harmonics
cophasial.

Copyright 2002 by Marcel Dekker, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

 828 Appendix G

for these two waveforms. Assuming that the harmonics are cophasial in multisource
current models does not always give the most conservative results.
Figure G-8(a) shows the time–current waveform of a pulse width modulated or
voltage source converter, with harmonic phase angles. The harmonic spectrum and
phase angles are shown in Table G-1. The phase angle of the fundamental is shown
to be zero. Equation (19.9) applies and for a certain phase angle of the fundamental,
the phase angle of the harmonics is calculated by shifting the angle column by h1
(harmonic order multiplied by fundamental frequency phase angle). Figure G-8(b)
shows the waveform with all harmonics cophasial. Some observations as for Figs. G-
7(a) and G-7(b) are applicable.
For multiple source assessment, the worst-case combination of the phase
angles can be obtained by performing harmonic studies with one harmonic-produ-
cing element modeled at a time. The worst-case harmonic level, voltage, or current is
the arithmetical summation of the harmonic magnitudes in each study. This will be a

Figure G-8 (a) PWM voltage source converter current, harmonics with proper phase angles;
(b) all harmonics cophasial.

Copyright 2002 by Marcel Dekker, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

 Estimating Line Harmonics 829

Table G-1 Harmonic Spectrum of a Voltage Source or

Pulse-Width Modulated ASD (Adjustable Speed Drive)

Harmonic order Magnitude Phase angle

1 100.0 0
3 3.1
160
5 60.7
178
7 41.2
172
9 0.7 158
11 3.85 165
13 7.74
177
14 0.3
53
15 0.41 135
17 3.2 32
18 0.3 228
19 1.54 179
21 0.32 110
23 1.8 38
25 1.3 49
29 1.2 95
31 0.7 222

rather lengthy study. Alternatively, all the harmonic sources can be simultaneously
modeled, with proper phase angles. The fundamental frequency angles are known by
prior load flow flow and the angle of harmonics can be calculated using Eq. (19.9).

REFERENCES
1. AD Graham, ET Schonholzer. Line Harmonics of Converters with DC-Motor Loads.
IEEE Trans Ind Appl 19: 84-93, 1983.
2. JC Read. The Calculation of Rectifier and Inverter Performance Characteristics. JIEE,
UK, 495-509, 1945.
3. M Gr‘tzbach, R Redmann. Line Current Harmonics of VSI-Fed Adjustable-Speed Drives.
IEEE Trans Ind Appl 36: 683-690, 2000.

Copyright 2002 by Marcel Dekker, Inc. All Rights Reserved.