Harmonics from compact fluorescent lamps

Measured characteristics of compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) and incandescent lamps with diode-type devices show low power factor (47% to 67%) and/or high total harmonic distortion (>100% THD). There is little effect on a building´s power quality if the CFLs comprise less than 10% of the building´s load. Even if the load due to CFLs is as high as 26% of the building´s total, the voltage distortion is less than 5%. Several reasonable low-cost passive circuits that can improve the power factor as well as suppress the harmonic distortion are described. The use of active circuits will be more effective but more costly. The active methods are best considered for the larger wattage CFLs (above 30 W) and for special applications where minimum harmonics are required.<>