Project overview

GENERATOR HARMONIC DISTORTION INVESTIGATION

Investigating harmonic distortion from multiple VFDs in a generator-connected manufacturing system following intermittent generator shutdowns.

Manufacturing · Newcastle · Industrial support · Advanced fault finding

A power logger showing the voltage THD trend and the maximum reading on each of the three phases

Customer need

An intermittent fault was causing the generator to occasionally trip and shut down, stopping production. With multiple VFDs operating throughout the electrical system, there was concern that harmonic distortion from connected equipment could be contributing to the fault or damaging equipment.

What we did

Analysed harmonic distortion within the generator-connected electrical system.
Investigated the effect of multiple VFDs throughout the system.
Assessed the measured harmonic distortion against acceptable limits.
Confirmed harmonic distortion was within an acceptable range.

How it helped

While the cause of the intermittent generator fault was not pinpointed, the investigation confirmed that harmonic distortion was within acceptable limits. This eliminated concerns that excessive harmonic distortion was damaging connected equipment and ruled it out as a key area of concern.

Voltage leads clipped to the busbars and flexible current probes around each cable, connecting the power logger

Close view of the voltage THD trend on the power logger, with the maximum reading for each phase

Advanced fault finding

Recurring, intermittent and difficult faults, including the ones other people have already looked at.

Industrial maintenance

Ongoing electrical support for industrial sites.

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