Using broadband passive harmonic filters for harmonic mitigation in AC drives

Various technical solutions are used to reduce harmonics generated by variable speed drives (VSD). AC VSD belong to their very significant sources with negative influences on the quality of electrical energy at the point of their connection to the network. The paper presents measured results of two types of broadband passive harmonic filters energized from a it programmable three-phase power source Pacific 3120ASX and provides their comparison to the results from a simulation model using EMTP-ATP program. A possibility of applying broadband passive harmonic filter into a structure of a drive of conveyor belt in the coal treatment plant is also shown and compared to the present condition. The results present that the effectiveness of the filters to eliminate harmonics is very good. Nevertheless, it is considerably affected by the quality of supply voltage at the point of filter coupling.