Power System Harmonic Analysis in the Frequency Domain

Harmonics in a power system caused by highly nonlinear devices degrade its performance. Controlling and reducing such harmonics have been a major concern of power engineers for many years. The power system harmonic analysis is the process of calculating the magnitudes and phases of the fundamental and higher order harmonics of system signals. The frequency domain solution method is one of the major mathematical approaches for such analysis. The paper discusses the frequency domain solution method in the power system harmonic analysis. It identifies harmonic sources and their effects on power system operation. It also discusses computer applications of such method.