Effects of Harmonics on Power Systems

SIDEBAR: Terms to Know

Eddy current losses: Power dissipated due to current circulating in metallic material (core, windings, case, and associated hardware in motors, etc.) as a result of electromotive forces induced by variation of magnetic flux.

Hysteresis: The energy loss in magnet material that results from an alternating magnetic field as the elementary magnets within the material seek to align themselves with the reversing magnetic field.

Impedance: The total opposition that an electric circuit presents to an alternating current. It is the measure of the complex resistive and reactive attributes of a component (conductor, machinery, etc.) or of the total system within an AC circuit. Impedance causes electrical loss and is usually manifested in the form of heat.

Iron losses: These consist of hysteresis and eddy current losses associated with the metal laminations in motors and generators.