VSD Output Harmonics

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 Voltage Stresses with PWM VSDs
• Both, PWM and Six steps VSDs can cause voltage stresses in
ESP systems.

• A model had been developed to accurately predict voltage

stress with PWM and design the most economical solution.

• PWM technology provides great flexibility in correcting a

voltage stress problem.

• PWM technology VSDs combined with economical capacitive

filter technology can deliver a sinewave current and voltage.

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 Some definitions
• Resonant frequency is the natural frequency of the ESP
circuit.
• Most ESPs resonance frequency is between 3 to 9 kHz
depending primarily on cable type, its length and insulation
voltage.
• Base Frequency is the PWM output frequency at which
voltage is maximum.
• Carrier frequency is the switching frequency of a PWM
drive. Modern PWM drives have an adjustable carrier
frequency.
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 6 Step and PWM VSD Output Voltage & Spectrum
300

250

200

Peak
150

6 Step 100

50

0
0 2 4 6 8 10
Frequency kHz

180
160
140
120
100
PWM

Peak
80
60
40
20
0
0 2 4 6 8 10
Frequency kHz

In both systems, voltage stress can take place.

In most installations the peak voltage is on the limit.
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 System Frequency Response
Fr =1/√(LC)

• Increasing cable length decreases resonant frequency

• Increasing transformer tap voltage decreases resonant frequency
• Adding L or C decreases resonant frequency

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PWM + ESP Operation

Fc = 2000 Hz
Fo = 60/70 Hz
Fr = 4000 Hz

+ =

Noisy waveform
2nd Carrier multiple amplified

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 PWM + ESP Operation

Fc = 8000 Hz
Fo = 60/70 Hz
Fr = 4000 Hz

+ Fc > (1.5 x Fr) =

Setting the carrier frequency above

the resonant band provides a sine
waveform without the need for a
filter
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 PWM + ESP Operation

Fc = 2200 Hz
Fo = 60/70 Hz
Fr = 1000 Hz

+ C , Fc > (1.5X Fr) =

Economical capacitor filter lowers the

resonant band below the maximum
carrier frequency to provide a sine
waveform
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 Peak kV vs. Carrier Frequency
13
12
KILOVOLTS

11
10
9
8
7
6
PEAK 5
SURGE 4
VOLTS 3 RESONANT
2 AREA
1

1 2 3 4 5 6 7
DRIVE CARRIER FREQUENCY KILOHERTZ
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 Voltage Comparison
8
7
6
5
kHz 4 Field
3 Model

2
1
0
well 1 well 2 well 3 well 4

Model Matches Field Measurements

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 Resonant Frequency Comparison
7
6
5
4
kHz Field
3 Model
2
1
0
well 1 well 2 well 3 well 4

Model Matches Field Measurements

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 Measurement and model appear
almost identical.
Fig. 3-1: Hooten Strouthers #5 Phase to Phase Fig. 3-2: : Hooten Strouthers #5 Phase to Phase
Voltage Waveform – Field Measurement Voltage Waveform – Modeled

Field Measurement Modeled

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 Ways to reduce voltage stresses.
• Use a lower voltage motor
• Reduce motor voltage using transformer tap if
motor is not fully loaded
• Reduce base frequency (applies to PWM VSDs
only)
• Use optimum carrier frequency setting (applies to
PWM VSDs with adjustable carrier frequency
only)
• Filter the output of the VSD

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Field Case Study of Employing the
First Three Methods Together

• Use a lower voltage motor

• Use lower transformer tap if motor is
not fully loaded
• Reduce base frequency

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 Average Peak Voltages3 HV
Wells & 9 LV Wells
12

10

8
kV
6

0
HV wells LV wells

50% Reduction in Peak Voltage

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 This example is an LC filter on the high voltage
(secondary) side of the step up transformer.

3.7 kV pk no filter 1 kV pk with filter

Filtered voltage much closer to sine wave.Peak voltage
reduced by 75%.
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 In this example there is capacitor filter installed
between the step up transformer and the wellhead.
Fig. 5-7 Canada: Output Phase to Phase Voltage, Before and After Filter Installation with
Capacitor Only Filter.

1> T 1>

1) Ref A: 2 V 2 ms 1) Math: 2 V 2 ms

Before Filter After Filter

Filter installation turned wellhead voltage
into sine wave.
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 Conclusion
• All components (motor, cable, feed through &
transformer) were originally designed for sine wave
voltages and currents.
• PWM VSDs combined with new technology can produce
a sine wave voltage and current.
• A six-step VSDs cannot produce a sine wave voltage or
current with any practical technology.
• A system computer model has been developed and the
accuracy has been verified by field measurements.

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 Conclusion, continued
• The computer model is presently being used to design
today’s applications.
• In fields with existing PWM technology, voltage
reduction programs have produced dramatic results
without requiring the use of filters. A 50% reduction
was documented in one test.
• Properly applied, filters can further reduce the peak
voltage. A 73% reduction in peak voltage was observed
in the field after the installation of a sine wave filter.

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 VSD PWM Sine-Wave Output

Voltage Current
The new oilfield standard!
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 Filters
• SINUSOIDAL FILTER (V/Hz)
– Reduces dv/dt and voltage
peak
– Reduces the motor noise level
– No output reactor is needed
– Reduces the additional losses
of the motor due to current
harmonics (sinusoidal current)

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 Filters

For compliance to IEEE 519 harmonic filters that will

limit total current harmonic distortion to 8% or less are
available. Filters are supplied in a separate NEMA 3R
enclosure. Other harmonic current distortion remedies
are available. However, the selection of the harmonic
remedy (line reactor, 12% harmonic filter, or 8%
harmonic filter) depends on the stiffness of the customer’s
power line at the point of common coupling of the drive
and the customer's other electrical loads. The IEEE-519
harmonic standard defines that line stiffness in terms of
the ratio of the available short circuit current to the rating
of the electrical service.
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 Filters
Those ratios are grouped by IEEE into less than
20:1 (very soft line), 20:1 to 50:1, 50:1 to 100:1,
100:1 to 1000:1, and greater than 1000:1 (very
stiff line). The softer the line, the less harmonics
are allowed by the IEEE standard.

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Thank you for your attention.

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