To maximise their effectiveness, harmonic filters perform better when they are seamlessly integrated with other devices within the electrical infrastructure such as capacitors, reactors, and power factor correction (PFC) equipment. In addition, we recommend you integrate your harmonic filters with a power monitoring system like PME to ensure seamless interaction and optimisation of the overall system performance.
Key Devices for Integration:
Power Factor Correction (PFC) Equipment:
- PFC equipment, such as capacitors and active power factor correction (APFC) systems, improves the power factor of electrical loads by compensating for reactive power.
- Integrating harmonic filters with PFC equipment enables coordinated control strategies to optimise both harmonic mitigation and power factor correction.
Multiple Active Harmonic Filters:
- At times multiple active filters are utilized on a single LV system to compensate for harmonic distortion. It is common that for double ended system there are filters installed at each side of the LV board. To enable operation of the filters for all network configurations (ie: bus coupler closed or single transformer switched off) communication has to be enabled between all units and suitable control mechanisms enabled (master/slave/alternative compensation).
Power Monitoring Systems:
- PME continuously monitors system parameters and assesses the effectiveness of harmonic mitigation.
- Integrating harmonic filters with PME enables the use of monitoring data to adjust filter settings and optimise performance in response to changing operating conditions.
- Analyse things like the temperature to ensure the temperature of the filter remains within the manufacturer’s specified limits preventing overheating and premature failure.
- Create alerts and alarms to monitor the voltage and current waveforms to ensure they remain within acceptable limits and do not exhibit any abnormalities.
Benefits of Integration:
Improved Power Quality: Reduces harmonic distortion, voltage fluctuations, and transient disturbances, leading to improved power quality and system reliability.
Enhanced Efficiency: Coordinated control and optimisation of system components result in better use of electrical resources, reduced energy losses, and increased operational efficiency.
Cost Savings: By integrating harmonic filters with existing devices or systems, you can achieve the desired performance improvements without the need for additional infrastructure or equipment.
Effective integration of harmonic filters is essential for maximising their performance and achieving optimal power quality and system efficiency. By understanding the importance of integration and employing appropriate techniques, you can harness the full potential of harmonic filters to mitigate harmonic distortion and enhance overall system reliability and performance. Collaboration between our engineers, your engineers, and equipment manufacturers is key to developing integrated solutions tailored to the specific requirements of your electrical network.
Speak to our power quality team today to start your integration.
