Transformer Extra Losses Due To Harmonics (on photo PECO fin substation 2)
Non-linear loads, such as power electronic devices, such as variable speed drives on motor systems, computers, UPS systems, TV sets and compact fluorescent lamps, cause harmonic currents on the network.
Harmonic voltages are generated in the impedance of the network by the harmonic load currents.
Harmonics increase both load and no-load losses due to increased skin effect, eddy current, stray and hysteresis losses. The most important of these losses is that due to eddy current losses in the winding; it can be very large and consequently most calculation models ignore the other harmonic induced losses. The precise impact of a harmonic current on load loss depends on the harmonic frequency and the way the transformer is designed.
[notification type="info"] In general, the eddy current loss increases by the square of the frequency and the square of the load current. So, if the load current contained 20% fifth harmonic, the eddy current loss due to the harmonic current component would be 5 x 5 x 0.2 x 0.2 multiplied by the eddy current loss at the fundamental frequency – meaning that the eddy current loss would have doubled. [/notification]
