A New Measurement Method for the Detection of Harmonic Sources in Power Systems Based on the Approach of the IEEE Std. 1459–2000

In this paper, a novel single-point strategy is proposed for the detection of the harmonic sources in power systems. The method is an improvement of a strategy previously proposed by the authors; it is developed from the IEEE Std 1459-2000 approach and it can be entirely implemented in the time domain, thus simplifying the measurement system. The effectiveness of the proposed method is evaluated by introducing simple decision-making rules and by taking the presence of the measurement transducers into account. Several simulations and experimental tests are presented, showing that the enhanced strategy is able to give an useful information on the detection of the dominant harmonic source upstream or downstream the metering section.

I. Introduction

Harmonic sources detection in power system is one of the topical issues for power-quality (PQ) assurance and for the attribution of responsibility between customers and utilities for disturbances caused on power systems. In practical situations, harmonic sources can be located upstream and downstream the metering section, so that supply and load may be responsible for harmonic distortion. Thus, indices and related measurement methods are needed for the evaluation of harmonic distortion levels at the metering section and for the determination of loads and supply polluting contributions. In regards to this, different approaches can be found in the literature, concerning the detection of the harmonic sources [1]–[6].