For example, assume that the RMS value of the third harmonic current in a
nonlinear load is 20 A, the RMS value of the fifth harmonic current is 15 A, and
the RMS value of the fundamental is 60 A. Then, the individual third harmonic
distortion is:
IHD3 = 20/60 = 0.333, or 33.3%
and the individual fifth harmonic distortion is:
IHD5 = 15/60 = 0.25, or 25.0%
Under this definition, the value of IHD1 is always 100%. This method of
quantifying the harmonics is known as harmonic distortion based on the
fundamental. This is the convention used by the Institute of Electrical and
Electronic Engineers (IEEE) in the U.S. The European International
Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) quanti- fies harmonics based on the total RMS
value of the waveform. Using the same example shown above, the RMS value of
the waveform is:
Irms =
2
(60 + 20 + 15 ) = 65 A
Based on the IEC convention,
IHD1
= 60/65 = 0.923, or
92.3% IHD3 = 20/65 = 0.308, or
30.8% IHD5 = 15/65 = 0.231, or
23.1%
The examples illustrate that even though the magnitudes of the harmonic
currents are the same, the distortion percentages are different because of a change in
the definition. It should be pointed out that it really does not matter what
convention is used as long as the same one is maintained throughout the
harmonic analysis. In this book, the IEEE convention will be followed, and all
harmonic distortion calcu- lations will be based on the fundamental.
Total harmonic distortion (THD) is a term used to describe the net deviation of
a nonlinear waveform from ideal sine waveform characteristics. Total harmonic
distortion is the ratio between the RMS value of the harmonics and the RMS value
of the fundamental. For example, if a nonlinear current has a fundamental
component of I1 and harmonic components of I2, I3, I4, I5, I6, I7, , then the RMS
value of the harmonics is:
IH =
(I 2 + I 3 + I 4 + I 5 + I 6 + I 7
+ )
THD = (IH/I1) 100%
(4.23)
(4.24)
Example: Find the total harmonic distortion of a voltage waveform with the
following harmonic frequency make up:
Fundamental = V1 = 114 V
3rd harmonic = V3 = 4 V
5th harmonic = V5 = 2 V
7th harmonic = V7 = 1.5 V
9th harmonic = V9 = 1 V
This problem can be solved in two ways:
RMS value of the harmonics = VH = (4 2 + 2 2 + 1.5 2 + 1 2 ) = 4.82 V
THD = (4.82/114) 100 4.23%
or find the individual harmonic distortions:
IHD3 = 4/114 = 3.51%
IHD5 = 2/114 = 1.75%
IHD7 = 1.5/114 = 1.32%
IHD9 = 1/114 = 0.88%
By definition, IHD1 = 100%, so
THD =
(IH D 3 + IH D 5 + IH D 7 + IH D 9 ) 4.23%
The results are not altered by using either the magnitude of the RMS quantities or the individual harmonic
distortion values.
The individual harmonic distortion indicates the contribution of each harmonic frequency to the distorted
waveform, and the total harmonic distortion describes the net deviation due to all the harmonics. These are
both important parameters. In order to solve harmonic problems, we require information on the composition
of the individual distortions so that any treatment may be tailored to suit the problem. The total harmonic
distortion, while conveying no information on the harmonic makeup, is used to describe the degree of
pollution of the power system as far as harmonics are concerned. Defining the individual and total harmonic
distortions will be helpful as we look at some typical nonlinear waveforms and their harmonic frequency
characteristics.
