A systematic approach to analyse the harmonic distortion in industry

This paper presents a systematic approach to harmonic distortion analysis in industrial power networks based on remote acquisition systems with local sensor networks. The use of low-cost synchronous-acquisition remote units with Ethernet communication and computational analysis programs is proposed, providing the capability of remotely study the propagation of harmonic disturbances in industrial installations, including the quantification of the voltage and current waveforms harmonic content, based on recent harmonics analysis techniques. This concept is implemented in an industrial plant and their results are analyzed. The active filtering technique is addressed, including the sizing and implementation of an active filter and the estimation of the respective return on investment, which is compared to the use of a conventional capacitor-based power factor compensation system.