Benefits And Applications Of Active Harmonic Filters

Harmonic filters are the cornerstone of power quality solutions. They play a vital role in preventing harmonic distortion in power systems, which can cause a lot of detrimental effects. The three most common varieties of harmonic filters are active, passive, and hybrid harmonic filters, respectively. However, active harmonic filters are considered to be the most comprehensive solution out of the three. In this blog, the advantages and applications of active harmonic filters are addressed in detail to reiterate this point further.

Benefits Of Active Harmonic Filters

Active harmonic filters tackle harmonic distortion by transmitting a frequency that is equivalent to the distortion but opposite in phase. Here are 8 major benefits of active harmonic filters:

Harmonic Mitigation

The biggest benefit of using an active filter is harmonic mitigation. By successfully eliminating any harmonics in a given power system, these harmonic filters prevent some major issues caused by harmonics, such as voltage distortion, tripping of protective electrical equipment, interference in the functioning of sensitive equipment and more, resulting in a marked improvement in power quality.

Improved Power Factor

The power factor is an important measure of energy efficiency as it determines the overall energy consumption of a power system. The closer the power factor is to 1, the better the system is functioning. Active harmonic filters achieve this seamlessly by eliminating reactive power. Therefore, the system consumes less energy and becomes more cost-effective.

Protecting Vital Equipment

Another major effect of harmonic distortion is excessive heat and stress on the electrical equipment. This causes some sensitive equipment to face wear and tear, leading to premature failure. Thus, by using active harmonic filters, important equipment is effectively protected, extending its overall lifespan.

Avoiding Compliance-Related Penalties

There are stringent national and international standards in place regarding harmonic levels within a given electrical system. By not adhering to these standards, facilities not only face damage to equipment and excessive energy consumption, but they can also face penalties. This is because excessive consumption from the facility can put a strain on the entire electrical grid.

Increase In Energy Savings

As mentioned above, active harmonic filters tackle harmonic distortion and improve the overall power factor of a system. This means that the equipment consumes energy more judiciously, leading to an improvement in energy efficiency. Therefore, the net result is more energy savings, a reduction in bills and better operations.

Improvement In System Reliability

Active harmonic filters also help make the overall system more stable and reliable by eliminating harmonics and voltage fluctuations. This means that the operations will not stop or falter during fluctuations, a major criterion in many industries that rely heavily on constant, uninterrupted operations.

Easy To Install And Integrate

Active harmonic filters are ideal from installation and integration standpoints due to their myriad features. Firstly, it is known for its compact size, making it easy to install in any setting as space constraint is no longer a factor. Moreover, they can be easily installed in parallel to any non-linear load and the harmonic filter will adjust to the inputs automatically. Therefore, they are also user-friendly.

Reduced Maintenance Costs

Since the harmonics and voltage fluctuations are handled along with a significant improvement in power factor, most sensitive equipment within a system will not add additional stresses and will see an improvement in their lifespan. This is particularly true for devices such as motors and transformers. Consequently, the cost of repair and maintenance is also reduced as instances of malfunction are brought down.

Applications Of Active Harmonic Filters

Some common applications of active harmonic filters include:

Industrial Manufacturing

In this setting, variable frequency drives (VFDs) are used to control motors and machines. However, they cause a lot of non-linear load on the electrical system, requiring a dynamic power quality solution. Active harmonic filters fit this requirement perfectly as they mitigate the harmonics caused by VFDs, maintain power quality and protect equipment from damage.

Commercial Building Operations

The HVAC systems in commercial buildings use a lot of equipment and generate a significant variable load since the HVAC system controls air conditioning, heating and ventilation. Active harmonic filters also cater to this need effectively, ensuring energy efficiency and proper temperature control.

Water And Wastewater Treatment Facilities

Water treatment plants and wastewater treatment facilities also use VFDs to run their myriad pumps, motors and compressors. Active harmonic filters also aid in tackling harmonics in this case, leading to a clean and reliable power supply so that critical functions of the facility never shut down or are disrupted.

Mining And Oil Extraction Sector

The mining and oil sectors also use plenty of dynamic equipment that handles heavy-duty applications and harsh conditions. Consequently, VFDs are employed here to ensure proper operation and precision. Active harmonic filters often accompany these VFDs to ensure that the system is protected from harmonics and no equipment faces undue damage from fluctuations.

Renewable Energy Sector

In the renewable energy industry, especially in wind and solar power, there is a major inconsistency with power generation. As these facilities generate power when wind or sun is available, the system faces sags and surges of energy. This, combined with the remote location of facilities, makes it a challenge to ensure that the power generated from these sectors is stable and functional, adding undue load on the grid. Fortunately, active harmonic filters tackle this challenge too, reducing harmonics and overall fluctuations and easing the stress on the electrical grid.

ADM Engineering Inc. is a proud distributor of state-of-the-art active harmonic filters. Apart from this, we also supply passive and hybrid harmonic filters and other power-quality solutions. To know which harmonic filter is right for your application, contact us today at 877-236-8337, and our experts will guide you further.