Power Quality Assessment and Harmonic Comparison of Typical Non-linear Electronic Loads

Abstract

This paper presents the assessment and comparison of power quality problems created by common electronic loads. T1he key issues covered are reactive kVA drawn, harmonic spectrum, total harmonic distortion, power factor and displacement factor. The different loads considered in this study are commonly used electronic gadgets as personal computer, printer and fluorescent tube. The results highlight the extent of damage being caused by these loads in polluting the utility grid. Improvement in quality of power attained by the use of constant voltage transformer is also presented. Use of active filters for Improvement of power factor of such electronic loads is suggested.

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Notes on contributors

Virendra Kumar Sharma

Virendra Kumar Sharma was born in Agra on 21st December 1961. He received his bachelors degree from Karnataka Regional Engineering College, Surathkal in 1984, and MTech and PhD from IIT Delhi in 1994 and 2000 respectively. He has served as Supervisor, Lord Krishna Electric Co, Bulandshahr; Lecturer, College of Engineering, Pravaranagar, Maharashtra; and Asstt Executive Engineer, Border Roads Organisation. Currently he is working as Reader in Electrical Engg Dept of Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi. He has a few research papers published in international refereed journals and conferences in the field of analysis, design and control of electric drives. He has received Railway Board Medal of Institution of Engineers (India) in the year 2000 for his research paper published in the Journal of Institution of Engineers. He is working on AICTE sponsored projects on unity power factor controller and power quality and energy audit studies. He has been instrumental in setting up the Power Electronics Lab in Jamia Millia Islamia. He is the founder Secretary of Jamia Chapter of ISTE, and has worked as volunteer for IEEE sponsored international conferences PEDES'96 and TENCON'98 He is a member of Institution of Engineers (I), and Senior Member of IEEE.

J R P Gupta

J R P Gupta was born at Lahladpur Ptana in 1948. He received his BSc (Engg) from Muzaffarpur Institute of Technology, Muzzafarpur, and PhD from Bihar University in 1972 and 1983 respectively. After serving Post and Telegraph Dept of Govt of India for nearly three years, he joined (MIT) as Asstt Professor in Electrical Engg Dept in 1976. He then switched over to Regional Institute of Technology, Jamshedpur in 1986 and then to Neta Subhash Institute of Technology (NSIT), Delhi in 1994 where currently he is holding the position of Professor and Head of the Instrumentation and Control Engg Dept. He has also served as Dean, Students Welfare, Dean Administration, and Dean of Academic Affairs. His research interests include power electronics electrical drives, and power quality assessment of electrical power systems. He has published about thirty research papers n international and national journals and conferences.