AN ANALYSIS OF GENERALIZED SYMMETRICAL COMPONENTS IN NON

SINUSOIDAL THREE PHASE SYSTEMS

Leandro Luiz Húngaro Costa1; Paulo José Amaral Serni1; Fernando Pinhabel Marafão2
1
UNESP - Univ. Estadual Paulista, Department of Electrical Engineering
Av. Eng. Luiz Edmundo C. Coube, 14-01, Bauru, SP – Brazil – 17033-360
2
UNESP - Univ. Estadual Paulista, Control and Automation Engineering
Av. Três de Março, 511, Sorocaba, SP – Brazil – 18087-180
leandroluiz@ymail.com; paulojas@feb.unesp.br; fmarafao@sorocaba.unesp.br

Abstract – This paper presents the study of the so implemented in time domain, different from the Fortescue
called Generalized Symmetrical Components, proposed classical proposal, which should be implemented through
by Tenti et. al. to the analysis of unbalanced periodic non frequency domain calculation such as those based on phasors
sinusoidal three phase systems. As a result, it was possible and Fourier transform.
to establish a proper relationship between such of Thus, the generalized symmetrical components
generalized symmetrical components and Fortescue decompose any periodic three phase system in four three
symmetrical components to the harmonic frequencies phase systems, as shown in(1).
that compose a generic periodic non sinusoidal three
phase system. ⎡ f t + f~ t ⎤
⎡ f A ( t )⎤ ⎢ Z
( ) A ( )⎥
⎢ ⎥ ⎢ ~ ⎥
Keywords - Generalized Symmetrical Components; ⎢ f B ( t )⎥ = ⎢ f Z (t ) + f B ( t )⎥ (1)
Symmetrical Components; Harmonic; Unbalance; Non ⎢ fC ( t ) ⎥ ⎢ ~ ⎥
⎣ ⎦ ⎢ f ( t ) + f ( t )⎥
Z C
Sinusoidal. ⎣ ⎦
where f represents any voltage or current time function
I. INTRODUCTION and:
The use of Fortescue symmetrical components for the
⎡ f Z ( t )⎤
analysis of unbalanced three phase sinusoidal signals ⎢ ⎥
(currents or voltages) is a classical technique [1]. The three ⎢ f Z ( t ) ⎥ = homopolar components
⎢ f Z ( t )⎥
phase sinusoidal signals are decomposed into three balanced ⎣ ⎦
three phase systems formed by components of positive, ⎡~ ⎤
negative and zero sequence. ⎢ f A (t )⎥
⎢ ~ ⎥
Nevertheless, the nonlinear loads in power systems imply ⎢ f B ( t ) ⎥ = heteropolar components
⎢~ ⎥
the possibility of distortions in the three phase signals, both ⎢ fC ( t ) ⎥
in currents and voltages. Thus, it is necessary to study the ⎣ ⎦
impact of these distortions in the analysis of unbalanced non
sinusoidal three phase signals [2-4]. Thus, the equations expressing the components of
In this sense, the generalized symmetrical components positive, negative and zero sequence are indicated in (2).
method, proposed by Tenti et. al. [4], for the analysis of
unbalanced periodic non sinusoidal three phase systems has f G Z ( t ) = 1 ⋅ ⎣⎡ f A ( t ) + f B ( t ) + fC ( t ) ⎦⎤
3
been evaluated with the goal of establishing a proper ⎡~ ~ ~
⎤
f P (t ) =
3 ⎣⎢ A ( ) B (
relationship to the classical Fortescue proposal.
G 1 ⋅ f t + f t + T 3) + f C ( t − T 3 ) ⎥ (2)
⎦
As it will be demonstrated, the relation between the ⎡ ~ ~ ~
⎤
generalized symmetrical components and Fortescue f N ( t ) = 1 ⋅ ⎢ f A ( t ) + f B ( t − T 3) + fC ( t + T 3) ⎥
G
3 ⎣ ⎦
symmetrical components can be discussed by means of the
harmonic frequency content of a given non-sinusoidal three However, the method of generalized components proposes
phase system. the introduction of another component, called the residual
component.
II. GENERALIZED SYMMETRICAL COMPONENTS
The residual components have an equation for each phase,
The generalized symmetrical components method presents which are presented in (3).
a generalization of the definitions of positive sequence,
negative sequence and zero sequence for periodic non ⎡~ ~ ~
⎤
f G RA ( t ) = 1 ⋅ ⎢ f A ( t ) + f A ( t + T 3) + f A ( t − T 3) ⎥
3 ⎣ ⎦
sinusoidal three phase systems [4,5]. The main contributions
of this method are the presence of a new sequence ⎡~ ~ ~
⎤
f G RB ( t ) = 1 ⋅ ⎢ f B ( t ) + f B ( t + T 3) + f B ( t − T 3) ⎥ (3)
3 ⎣ ⎦
component, called generalized residual component, and a
slight change to calculate the positive and negative sequence ⎡ ~ ~ ~
⎤
f RC ( t ) = 1 ⋅ ⎢ fC ( t ) + f C ( t + T 3) + f C ( t − T 3) ⎥
G
3 ⎣ ⎦
components. Furthermore, it is important to emphasize that
the method proposed by Tenti et. al. can be fully

978-1-4577-1646-1/11/$26.00 ©2011 IEEE 502

 III. THE ANALISYS OF UNBALANCED NON B. Homopolar Typical Harmonics
SINUSOIDAL THREE PHASE SYSTEM BY MEANS OF ⎧
{
∞

FOURIER AND FORTESCUE APPROACHES ⎪ f ZZh ( t ) = 3 k =1 ⎣ A A (

1 ⋅ ∑ ⎡ K (3k ) ⋅ F ⋅ sen ( 3k ) ωt + ϕ (3k ) ⎤
A
⎦ ) +
⎪

Consider a periodic non-sinusoidal three-phase system.

⎪
⎪ ⎣
( 3 k )
(
⎡ K B ⋅ FB ⋅ sen ( 3k ) ωt + ϕ B ⎤( 3 k )
) ⎦
+
⎪
⎪
⎪
⎡
⎣ C
( 3k )
(
K ⋅ FC ⋅ sen ( 3k ) ωt + ϕC (3k ) ⎤
)}
⎦
⎧ ∞

⎪ f A (t ) = FA ⋅ sen (ωt + θ A ) + ∑ K A( k +1) ⋅ FA ⋅ sen ⎡⎣( k + 1) ωt + ϕ A( k +1) ⎤⎦ ⎪

⎪ k =1 ⎪
{
∞
⎪
3φ ⎨ f B ( t ) =
∞
FB ⋅ sen (ωt + θ B ) + ∑ K B( k +1) ⋅ FB ⋅ sen ⎡⎣( k + 1) ωt + ϕ B( k +1) ⎤⎦ (4)
⎪f
⎪ PAZh ( )
t =
3 k =1 ⎣ A A (
1 ⋅ ∑ ⎡ K (3k ) ⋅ F ⋅ sen ( 3k ) ωt + ϕ (3k ) ⎤
A
⎦ ) +
⎪ ⎪⎪
( )
k =1
⎪ ∞ ⎨ ⎡ K B ⋅ FB ⋅ sen ( 3k ) ωt + ϕ B + 120 ( 3k ) ⎤
( 3 k ) ( 3 k ) D
+ (6)
⎪ fC ( t ) = FC ⋅ sen (ωt + θ C ) + ∑ K C( k +1) ⋅ FC ⋅ sen ⎡⎣( k + 1) ωt + ϕC( k +1) ⎤⎦ ⎪ ⎣ ⎦
⎩ k =1 ⎪
⎪ ⎣
3 k
(
⎡ K C ⋅ FC ⋅ sen ( 3k ) ωt + ϕC − 120 ( 3k ) ⎤
( ) ( 3 k ) D
⎦ )}
⎪
Based on the classical Fourier harmonic analysis and ⎪
⎪
{
∞
Fourtescue method, is possible split the three phase system ⎪ f NAZh ( t ) =
⎪ 3 ⎣ A A (
1 ⋅ ∑ ⎡ K (3k ) ⋅ F ⋅ sen ( 3k ) ωt + ϕ (3k ) ⎤
A
⎦ ) +
(4) in four distinct three phase systems. There are harmonics k =1
⎪
with homopolar typical characteristic, or positive sequence ⎪ ⎡
⎣ B (
K ⋅ FB ⋅ sen ( 3k ) ωt + ϕ B − 120 ( 3k ) ⎤
( 3k ) ( 3k ) D
⎦ ) +
typical characteristic or also negative sequence typical ⎪
characteristic.
⎪
⎪⎩ ⎣ (
⎡ K C(3k ) ⋅ FC ⋅ sen ( 3k ) ωt + ϕC( 3k ) + 120D ( 3k ) ⎤
⎦ )}
It means, there will be a three phase system equivalent to
the fundamental frequency, a three phase system equivalent C. Positive Sequence Typical Harmonics
to homopolar typical harmonics, a three phase system ⎧
{
∞

equivalent to positive sequence typical harmonics and, ⎪ f ZPh ( t ) = 3 k =1 ⎣ A A (

1 ⋅ ∑ ⎡ K ( 3k +1) ⋅ F ⋅ sen ( 3k + 1) ωt + ϕ ( 3k +1) ⎤ )
A
⎦
+
⎪
finally, a three phase system equivalent to negative sequence
typical harmonics.
⎪
⎪ ⎣ ( )
⎡ K B( 3k +1) ⋅ FB ⋅ sen ( 3k + 1) ωt + ϕ B(3k +1) ⎤
⎦
+
⎪
It is possible to apply the Fortescue theorem, ⎪
⎪
⎡
⎣ C
K ( 3k +1)
(
⋅ FC ⋅ sen ( 3k + 1) ωt + ϕC )}
( 3 k +1) ⎤
⎦
independently for each of the three-phase systems resulting ⎪
from the system (4). ⎪
{
∞
So, there are components of positive, negative and zero ⎪f
⎪ PAPh ( )
t =
3 k =1 ⎣ A A (
1 ⋅ ∑ ⎡ K ( 3k +1) ⋅ F ⋅ sen ( 3k + 1) ωt + ϕ ( 3k +1) ⎤ )
A
⎦
+
sequence for each harmonic frequency. ⎪⎪
⎨
⎪
⎡KB
⎣
( 3 k +1 )
(
⋅ FB ⋅ sen ( 3k + 1) ωt + ϕ B ( 3 k +1 )
+ 120 ( 3k + 1) ⎤
D
) ⎦
+ (7)
A. Fundamental Frequency
⎧ f Z 1h ( t ) = 1 ⋅ ⎡ F ⋅ sen (ωt + θ )
⎪
⎪
⎡ KC
⎣
( 3 k + 1 )
(
⋅ FC ⋅ sen ( 3k + 1) ωt + ϕC ( 3 k +1 )
− 120 ( 3k + 1) ⎤
D
)}⎦
⎪ 3 ⎣ A A ⎪
⎪
⎪ + FB ⋅ sen (ωt + θ B ) ⎪
⎪
{
∞

⎪ + FC ⋅ sen (ωt + θ C ) ⎦⎤
⎪
⎪ f NAPh ( t ) =
3 ⎣ A A (
1 ⋅ ∑ ⎡ K ( 3k +1) ⋅ F ⋅ sen ( 3k + 1) ωt + ϕ ( 3k +1) ⎤ )
A
⎦
+
⎪ ⎪
k =1

⎪
⎪f ( t ) = 13 ⋅ ⎡⎣ FA ⋅ sen (ωt + θ A )
⎪ ⎡ K
⎣ B
(3 k +1)
(
⋅ FB ⋅ sen ( 3k + 1) ωt + ϕ B ( 3 k +1)
− 120 ( 3k + 1) ⎤
D
) ⎦
+
⎪ PA1h ⎪
⎪⎪ + FB ⋅ sen (ωt + θ B + 120D ) (5)
⎪
⎪⎩ ⎣ (
⎡ KC( 3k +1) ⋅ FC ⋅ sen ( 3k + 1) ωt + ϕC( 3k +1) + 120D ( 3k + 1) ⎤ )}⎦
⎨
⎪ + FC ⋅ sen (ωt + θ C − 120D ) ⎤⎦
⎪ D. Negative Sequence Typical Harmonics
⎪
⎪ ⎧
{
∞

⎪f ( t ) = 13 ⋅ ⎡⎣ FA ⋅ sen (ωt + θ A ) ⎪ f ZNh ( t ) = 3 k =1 ⎣ A A (

1 ⋅ ∑ ⎡ K ( 3k −1) ⋅ F ⋅ sen ( 3k − 1) ωt + ϕ ( 3k −1) ⎤
A
⎦ ) +
⎪ NA1h ⎪
⎪
⎪
+ FB ⋅ sen (ωt + θ B − 120D ) ⎪
⎪ (
⎡ K B(3k −1) ⋅ FB ⋅ sen ( 3k − 1) ωt + ϕ B( 3k −1) ⎤
⎣ ) ⎦
+
⎪ ⎪
+ FC ⋅ sen ( ωt + θC + 120D )⎤⎦
⎪⎩ ⎪
⎪
⎡ K
⎣ C
(3 k −1)
(
⋅ FC ⋅ sen ( 3k − 1) ωt + ϕC )}
( 3 k −1) ⎤
⎦
⎪
⎪
{
∞
⎪f
⎪ PANh ( )
t =
3 k =1 ⎣ A A (
1 ⋅ ∑ ⎡ K ( 3k −1) ⋅ F ⋅ sen ( 3k − 1) ωt + ϕ ( 3k −1) ⎤
A
⎦ ) +
⎪⎪
⎨
⎪
⎡KB
⎣
( 3 k −1)
(
⋅ FB ⋅ sen ( 3k − 1) ωt + ϕ B ( 3 k −1)
+ 120 ( 3k − 1) ⎤
D
⎦ ) + (8)
⎪
⎪ (
⎡ K C( 3k −1) ⋅ FC ⋅ sen ( 3k − 1) ωt + ϕC(3k −1) − 120D ( 3k − 1) ⎤
⎣ ⎦ )}
⎪
⎪
⎪
{
∞
⎪ f NANh ( t ) =
⎪ 3 k =1
⎣ A A (
1 ⋅ ∑ ⎡ K ( 3k −1) ⋅ F ⋅ sen ( 3k − 1) ωt + ϕ ( 3k −1) ⎤
A
⎦ ) +
⎪
⎪ ⎣ (
⎡ K B( 3k −1) ⋅ FB ⋅ sen ( 3k − 1) ωt + ϕ B( 3k −1) − 120D ( 3k − 1) ⎤
⎦ ) +
⎪
⎪
⎪⎩ (
⎡ K C(3k −1) ⋅ FC ⋅ sen ( 3k − 1) ωt + ϕC( 3k −1) + 120D ( 3k − 1) ⎤
⎣ ⎦ )}

503
 The positive and negative sequence components presented f PA1h ( t ) = positive sequence component of phase A
in (5), (6), (7) and (8) correspond to phase A. Similarly, the f PB1h ( t ) = positive sequence component of phase B
positive and negative sequence components phases B and C
can be easily obtained. f PC 1h ( t ) = positive sequence component of phase C

IV. IV. THE ANALISYS OF UNBALANCED NON Since the system formed by the positive sequence
SINUSOIDAL THREE PHASE SYSTEM BY MEANS OF components ( f PA1h ( t ) ; f PB1h ( t ) ; f PC1h ( t ) ) is symmetrical and
GENERALIZED SYMMETRICAL COMPONENTS
balanced, then it is possible to achieve the simplification
A. Generalized Zero Sequence Component presented in (12).

The first generalized component to be calculated is the f PA1h ( t ) + f PB1h ( t ) + f PC1h ( t ) = 0 (12)
zero sequence component, i.e., the homopolar components of
the system (4). Therefore, the expression for the portion of the
generalized positive sequence component due to the
f G Z (t ) = 1 ⋅ { F ⋅ sen (ωt + θ ) + + fundamental frequency is (13).
3 A A

FB ⋅ sen (ωt + θ B ) +
FC ⋅ sen (ωt + θ C )} + f G PA1h ( t ) = f PA1h ( t ) (13)

{
∞

3 k =1 ⎣ A A (
1 ⋅ ∑ ⎡ K ( 3k ) ⋅ F ⋅ sen ( 3k ) ωt + ϕ ( 3k ) ⎤
A
⎦ ) +
The part of the generalized positive sequence component
due to homopolar typical harmonics after simplifications can
⎣ (
⎡ K B( 3k ) ⋅ FB ⋅ sen ( 3k ) ωt + ϕ B(3k ) ⎤
⎦ ) +
be written as (14).
⎡ K C( 3k ) ⋅ FC ⋅ sen ( ( 3k ) ωt + ϕ ( ) ) ⎤}
3k
+
⎣ C
⎦
f G PAZh ( t ) = f ZZh ( t ) − 1 ⋅ ⎡⎣ f ZZh ( t ) + f ZZh ( t ) + f ZZh ( t ) ⎤⎦ (14)
{
∞

(
1 ⋅ ∑ ⎡ K ( 3k +1) ⋅ F ⋅ sen ( 3k + 1) ωt + ϕ (3k +1) ⎤ +
3 k =1 ⎣ A A A
⎦ ) (9) 3

(
⎡ K B(3k +1) ⋅ FB ⋅ sen ( 3k + 1) ωt + ϕ B( 3k +1) ⎤
⎣ ⎦ ) + An important aspect of the homopolar typical harmonics
portion is the presence of only zero sequence components.
⎡ K C(3k +1) ⋅ FC ⋅ sen ( ( 3k + 1) ωt + ϕ ( ) ) ⎤}
3 k +1
+ Hence, simplifying (14), the contribution of the
⎣ C
⎦
homopolar typical harmonics frequencies of the generalized
{
∞

3 k =1 ⎣ A A (
1 ⋅ ∑ ⎡ K ( 3k −1) ⋅ F ⋅ sen ( 3k − 1) ωt + ϕ ( 3k −1) ⎤ +
A
⎦ ) positive sequence component is null, expressed in (15).
⎡K
⎣
(3 k −1)
B (
⋅ FB ⋅ sen ( 3k − 1) ωt + ϕ B )⎤⎦
(3 k −1)
+
f G PAZh ( t ) = 0 (15)
⎡ KC (3 k −1)
⋅ FC ⋅ sen ( ( 3k − 1) ωt + ϕ ( ) ) ⎤}
3k −1
⎣ C
⎦
The part of the generalized positive sequence component
Applying the distributive property and grouping the terms due to positive sequence typical harmonics after
related to each harmonic feature in (9), we obtain (10). simplifications can be written as (16).

f G Z ( t ) = f Z 1h ( t ) + f ZZh ( t ) + f ZPh ( t ) + f ZNh ( t ) (10) f G PAPh ( t ) = f PAPh ( t ) − 1 ⋅ ⎡⎣ f PAPh ( t ) + f PBPh ( t ) + f PCPh ( t ) ⎤⎦ (16)
3

In other words, the generalized zero sequence component Since the system formed by the positive sequence
( f G Z ( t ) ) is the sum of zero sequence components of each components ( f PAPh ( t ) ; f PBPh ( t ) ; f PCPh ( t ) ) is symmetrical and
harmonic frequencies present in the three phase system (4). balanced, then it is possible to achieve simplification
For calculating the generalized positive, negative and presented in (17).
residual sequence components, there will be a separation for
each harmonic frequency in order to have a better view. f PAPh ( t ) + f PBPh ( t ) + f PCPh ( t ) = 0 (17)

B. Generalized Positive Sequence Component

Therefore, the expression for the part of the generalized
The part of the generalized positive sequence component positive sequence component due to positive sequence
due to fundamental frequency can be written as in (11). typical harmonics is (18).

f G PAPh ( t ) = f PAPh ( t ) (18)

f G PA1h ( t ) = f PA1h ( t ) − 1 ⋅ ⎡⎣ f PA1h ( t ) + f PB1h ( t ) + f PC1h ( t ) ⎦⎤ (11)
3
The part of the generalized positive sequence component
where: due to negative sequence typical harmonics after
simplifications can be written as (19).

f G PANh ( t ) = f NANh ( t ) − 1 ⋅ ⎡⎣ f NANh ( t ) + f NBNh ( t ) + f NCNh ( t ) ⎤⎦ (19)

3

504

Since the system formed by the negative sequence
components ( f NANh ( t ) ; f NBNh ( t ) ; f NCNh ( t ) ) is symmetrical and
balanced, then it is possible to achieve simplification
presented in (20).
components are composed solely by symmetrical
components of the homopolar typical harmonics.
The expressions of the generalized residual components
for phases A, B and C can be observed in (28), (29) and (30),
respectively.

Phase A:
f NANh ( t ) + f NBNh ( t ) + f NCNh ( t ) = 0 (20)
f G RA ( t ) = f PAZh ( t ) + f NAZh ( t ) (28)
Therefore, the expression for the part of the generalized
positive sequence component due to negative sequence
typical harmonics is (21). Phase B:

f G RB ( t ) = f PBZh ( t ) + f NBZh ( t ) (29)

f G PANh ( t ) = f NANh ( t ) (21)

Thus, it is possible to write an expression of generalized Phase C:

positive sequence component for the phase A and by analogy
for phases B and C. f G RC ( t ) = f PCZh ( t ) + f NCZh ( t ) (30)

Phase A: V. RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN GENERALIZED

SYMMETRICAL COMPONENTS AND THE
f G PA ( t ) = f PA1h ( t ) + f PAPh ( t ) + f NANh ( t ) (22) FORTESCUE SYMMETRICAL COMPONENTS

It is remarkable that the generalized symmetrical

Phase B: components are related to the Fortescue symmetrical
components by means of the fundamental frequency and
f G PB ( t ) = f PB1h ( t ) + f PBPh ( t ) + f NBNh ( t ) (23) harmonic components of a particular three phase system.
In other words, the Fortescue symmetrical components of
Phase C: fundamental and harmonic frequencies are all included in the
generalized symmetrical components.
f G PC ( t ) = f PC1h ( t ) + f PCPh ( t ) + f NCNh ( t ) (24) Considering the three phase system given in (4), in terms
of the Fortescue symmetrical components (by frequency),
(31) is obtained.
C. Generalized Negative Sequence Component
⎧ f A (t ) = f Z 1h ( t ) + f PA1h ( t ) + f NA1h ( t )
⎪
In a similar way as of the generalized positive sequence ⎪ + f ZZh ( t ) + f PAZh ( t ) + f NAZh ( t )
components, it is possible to write the expressions which ⎪ + f ZPh ( t ) + f PAPh ( t ) + f NAPh ( t )
describe the generalized negative sequence components. ⎪
⎪ + f ZNh ( t ) + f PANh ( t ) + f NANh ( t )
These expressions are presented in (22), (23) and (24), for ⎪
phases A, B and C, respectively. ⎪
⎪ f B (t ) = f Z 1h ( t ) + f PB1h ( t ) + f NB1h ( t )
⎪
Phase A: ⎪ + f ZZh ( t ) + f PBZh ( t ) + f NBZh ( t )
⎨ (31)
⎪ + f ZPh ( t ) + f PBPh ( t ) + f NBPh ( t )
f G NA ( t ) = f NA1h ( t ) + f NAPh ( t ) + f PANh ( t ) (25) ⎪ + f ZNh ( t ) + f PBNh ( t ) + f NBNh ( t )
⎪
⎪
Phase B: ⎪ f (t ) = f Z 1h ( t ) + f PC1h ( t ) + f NC1h ( t )
⎪ C
⎪ + f ZZh ( t ) + f PCZh ( t ) + f NCZh ( t )
f G NB ( t ) = f NB1h ( t ) + f NBPh ( t ) + f PBNh ( t ) (26) ⎪
+ f ZPh ( t ) + f PCPh ( t ) + f NCPh ( t )
⎪
⎪⎩ + f ZNh ( t ) + f PCNh ( t ) + f NCNh ( t )
Phase C:
⎧ f A (t ) = f G Z ( t ) + f G PA ( t ) + f G NA ( t ) + f G RA ( t )
f G NC ( t ) = f NC1h ( t ) + f NCPh ( t ) + f PCNh ( t ) (27) ⎪
⎪
⎪
⎨ fB (t ) = f G Z ( t ) + f G PB ( t ) + f G NB ( t ) + f G RB ( t ) (32)
D. Generalized Residual Component ⎪
⎪
⎪⎩ fC ( t ) = f G Z ( t ) + f G PC ( t ) + f G NC ( t ) + f G RC ( t )
The generalized residual components have a very
particular behavior because they have no frequencies beyond The system (31) is equivalent to the system expressed in
the homopolar typical harmonics. So in this case, the residual (32), written by generalized symmetrical components.

505
 VI. SIMULATIONS AND DISCUTTIONS harmonic, fifth harmonic and seventh harmonic,
corresponding to the respective Fortescue zero sequence
For the analysis of an unbalance non sinusoidal three components.
phase system, it has been simulated a system with particular
harmonic content, as depicted in Table 1. The resulting
waveforms are presented in Fig. 1.
It has been used third harmonic for illustrate the
homopolar typical harmonics, seventh harmonic for instance
the positive sequence typical harmonics and fifth harmonic
for example the negative sequence typical harmonics.
Table 1
Periodic non sinusoidal three phase system
Frequency Amplitude Phase Angle
Harmonic Phase
[Hz] [V] [degrees]
60 1 A 120 25
60 1 B 90 -100
60 1 C 100 -270 Fig. 3 - Signal and harmonic content of the generalized zero
180 3 A 7 0 sequence component
180 3 B 10 -70
180 3 C 11 -220 Table 2
300 5 A 10 10 Harmonic content of generalized zero sequence
300 5 B 9 -140 component of phase A
300 5 C 8 -20
Frequency Sequence Amplitude
420 7 A 11 30 Harmonic
[Hz] Component [V]
420 7 B 9 -80 60 1 Zero 37,2
420 7 C 12 -110 180 3 Zero 2,0
300 5 Zero 7,7
420 7 Zero 9,2

Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 show, respectively, the waveforms and

harmonic content of the generalized positive sequence
component and the generalized negative sequence
component for phase A. Their harmonic content can be seen
in Table 3 and Table 4.

Fig. 1 - Non sinusoidal three phase system

Fig. 2 shows the waveform of one of the phase voltages

(A) and its corresponding harmonic content.

Fig. 4 - Signal and harmonic content of the generalized positive

sequence component - phase A

Table 3
Harmonic content of generalized positive sequence
component of phase A
Frequency Sequence Amplitude
Harmonic
[Hz] Component [V]
Fig. 2 - Voltage signal and harmonic content - phase A 60 1 Positive 93,4
180 3 Positive 0,0
The first waveform which has been analyzed was the 300 5 Positive 12,1
generalized zero sequence component, shown in Fig. 3. 420 7 Positive 12,6
Observing their respective harmonic content presented in
Table 2, one can note that such a component is composed by
all harmonic frequencies of the spectrum, according to
results obtained in (10). It means that, zero sequence
component is composed by the fundamental frequency, third

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 components. This is due to the presence of only the third
harmonic. As expressed in (28), the generalized residual
component, is only compounded by the sum of positive
sequence components and negative Fortescue of the third
harmonic of the three-phase system, in this case.

VII. CONCLUSION

Generalized symmetrical components proved to be an

attractive and interesting tool for the analysis of unbalanced
periodic non sinusoidal three phase waveforms.
It was shown that there is a mathematical relationship
Fig. 5 - Signal and harmonic content of the generalized negative
sequence component - phase A
among the generalized symmetrical components and
Fortescue symmetrical components for each harmonic
Table 4 frequency that comprises a periodic three phase system.
Harmonic content of generalized negative sequence An important factor is that for periodic three phase signals
component of phase A composed only by the fundamental frequency, the results
Frequency Sequence Amplitude obtained in the calculation of generalized symmetrical
Harmonic
[Hz] Component [V] components are exactly equal to the results obtained in the
60 1 Negative 24,9 classical Fortescue symmetrical components.
180 3 Negative 0,0 It has also been verified the presence of negative sequence
300 5 Negative 8,5 components of the negative sequence typical harmonics in
420 7 Negative 9,5 the generalized positive sequence component. As well the
presence of positive sequence components of the negative
Note that there is no presence of third harmonic sequence typical harmonics component in the composition of
component as in the generalized positive sequence generalized negative sequence. Therefore, a review of the
component as in the generalized negative sequence. This nomenclature used in the calculation of generalized
behavior was expected, as was shown in (22) and (25). That symmetrical components should be proposed in future work.
is, the generalized positive and negative sequence
components are made only by the fundamental, fifth REFERENCES
harmonic and seventh harmonic frequencies.
Finally, Fig. 6 shows the waveform of the generalized [1] C. L. Fortescue, Method of Symmetrical Coo-rdinates
residual component of phase A and its corresponding Applied to the Solution of Polyphase Networks. AIEE
harmonic content. In Table 5 the harmonic content of the Transaction, 37:1027-1140, 1918.
generalized residual component is expressed numerically.
[2] W. V. Lyon, Transient Analysis of Alternating Current
Machinery. John Wiley, New York - USA, 1954.

[3] M. Depenbrock, Generalized Symmetrical

Components of 4-Wire Voltages. Sixth International
Workshop on Power Definitions and Measurements under
Non-Sinusoidal Conditions, October 10-15, 2003, Milano.

[4] P. Tenti, J. L. Willems, P. Mattavelli, E. Tedeschi,

Fig. 6 - Signal and harmonic content of the generalized residual
component - phase A
Generalized Symmetrical Components for Periodic Non-
Sinusoidal Three-Phase Signals. Seventh International
Workshop on Power Definitions and Measurements under
Non-Sinusoidal Conditions, July 10-12, 2006, Cagliari.

Table 5 [5] P. Tenti, H. K. M. Paredes, F. P. Marafão, P.

Harmonic content of generalized residual component of Mattavelli, Accountability and Revenue Metering in Smart
phase A Micro-Grids IEEE International Workshop of Applied
Frequency Sequence Amplitude Measurements for Power Systems, September 22-24, 2010,
Harmonic
[Hz] Component [V] Achen.
60 1 Residual 0,0
180 3 Residual 12,4
300 5 Residual 0,0
420 7 Residual 0,0

Note, therefore, that the generalized residual component

has a particular characteristic in relation to other

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