Harmonic Resonance Analysis Toolkit

Direct Impedance Grid Modeling v1.10

Voltage THD

0.0%

✓ NOMINAL

System Resonance

h = 4.8

PEAK FREQUENCY

Bank Current

0.0 A

Total RMS

PCC Impedance

0.0 Ω

At Critical Harmonic

Impedance-Frequency Characteristic
Harmonic Flow Visualization
Harmonic:
Operational.
Voltage Distortion Spectrum (%)
PCC Bus Voltage Waveform
VFD Injection Profile (Amps injection by harmonic)
VFD Injected Current Spectrum (A)
VFD Injected Current Oscillography
Theory & Analysis Guide

1. Impedance Calculations

The system is analyzed using complex frequency-dependent impedance. For any harmonic order h, the individual components are modeled as:

Grid Inductance: Z_L(h) = R_g + j(h · X_L)
Grid Capacitance: Z_C(h) = R_c - j(X_C / h)
Filter Path: Z_filter(h) = R_f + j(h · X_Lf - X_Cf / h)

The Grid Path impedance depends on the selected Grid Topology mode:

Standard Inductive (L): Z_grid(h) = Z_L(h)
Series Resonance (L–C): Z_grid(h) = Z_L(h) + Z_C(h)
Parallel Resonance (L ∥ C): Z_grid(h) = (Z_L(h) · Z_C(h)) / (Z_L(h) + Z_C(h))

The total impedance seen by the VFD source is the parallel combination of the Grid Path and the local Filter Branch:

Z_total(h) = (Z_grid(h) · Z_filter(h)) / (Z_grid(h) + Z_filter(h))

2. VFD as a Harmonic Current Injector

In power system modeling, a Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) is represented as a Norton Equivalent current source. Unlike a battery or utility grid (which are voltage sources), a VFD's rectifier bridge behaves as a non-linear load that "injects" harmonic currents into the system regardless of the system impedance (to a first approximation).

Mathematically, the drive is a source of current pulses. The current injection for each harmonic ($I_h$) is calculated from the user-defined percentage of the fundamental ($I_1$):

I_h = (Magnitude% / 100) · I_fundamental

This injected current travels through the system impedance ($Z_{total}$). The resulting voltage distortion at the bus is a direct consequence of Ohm's Law for each harmonic: $V_h = I_h · Z_{total}(h)$. High impedance at a specific harmonic (Parallel Resonance) results in severe voltage "notching" or "peaking".

3. Parallel vs. Series Resonance

Parallel Resonance: Occurs when the grid's inductive reactance matches the local capacitor's capacitive reactance. At this frequency, the denominator of the total impedance equation approaches zero, causing the impedance magnitude to skyrocket. This results in massive voltage deviations ($V_h = I_h · Z_{total}$).

Series Resonance: Occurs within a single branch (e.g., the detuned filter). When the L and C reactances cancel each other out, the impedance drops to its minimum. This creates a "harmonic sink" where current flows freely into that branch instead of the grid.

4. Detuning & IEEE 519

By adding a detuning reactor, we shift the parallel resonance frequency downward (typically below the 5th order). This prevents amplification and creates a series resonant trap for 5th, 7th, etc. The toolkit references IEEE 519-2022, recommending a maximum Voltage THD of 5.0%.

V_THD = [√(Σ V_h²) / V_fundamental] · 100% (for h=2 to 12)