|
How
Harmonics Are Generated
Robert
Scoff, P.E.
Overview
The intention of this course is to show how harmonics are generated by modern electrical and electronic systems. It starts with classical harmonic generators and some older electronic devices. It emphasizes single phase systems and how harmonics are generated by diodes, silicon controlled rectifiers, and triacs.
Special emphasis is made of the fact that it is the harmonic currents that flow that cause the harmonic voltages to be present. These harmonic voltages can affect other equipment, and even other customers on the electric grid. Many pictures and graphs are presented to show how harmonics can be present. At times, it is not at all obvious that harmonics are present in a signal. Even if they are not seen, the harmonics can cause problems for the power companies, which have the responsibility of delivering clean usable power to their customers.
This course was designed for electrical engineers as well as engineers of other disciplines. Electrical engineers will have a deeper understanding of how harmonics are generated. Engineers from other disciplines will get an idea of the problems faced by the people responsible for delivering power to their facilities. This will help engineers understand each other’s special problems. The more that we, as engineers, understand the problems faced by other engineers, the better that we will be able to do our specific jobs.
There is very little math involved in this course. Graphs were generated by use of Excel programs. It helps, but is not necessary, to understand how Excel can generate graphs and charts.
The student must take a multiple choice quiz consisting of 20 questions at the end of the course to obtain PDH credits. It is my intention that the material presented in this course will help engineers of all disciplines to have an understanding of how harmonics are generated in electrical power systems.
Specific Knowledge or Skill Attained
This course teaches the
following specific knowledge and skills:
-
Historical causes of harmonic distortion
-
Harmonics of a square wave
-
Harmonics caused by half wave single phase rectifiers
-
Harmonics caused by full wave single phase rectifiers
-
Harmonics in three phase systems
-
Understanding harmonic generation in 6 and 12 pulse full wave rectifiers
Course
Click on the following PDF attachment and review the document
prior to taking
a quiz for credit.
How
Harmonics Are Generated (339 KB)
Having Trouble Downloading the PDF File?
Right click on the link. Select "Save Target As..."
Then save on your desktop. To view the file, double click the icon on your
desktop and return to this page to take the quiz.
You may need Acrobat Reader to view this document.
Click on the link below to download a free copy of Acrobat Reader.
To obtain PDH credits for this course, you will need to take a quiz for
credit. Click on the link below.
(To take the quiz,
your web browser must be set to accept cookies. See how to
check your cookie settings.)
 
|
