Trying to Understand Harmonics and also what is the 63rd Harmonic

[CyDog]

Hi Folks ,

I am looking into Power Monitors and see alot concerning harmonics and " recording the 63rd harmonic"
Could someone explain harmonics and also what the 63rd and
31st harmonic would be.

Thanks in advance

 

[dpc]

Do you know what a harmonic is?

 

[CyDog]

I understand a little bit. I'm wondering , is a sine wave
really that distorted. The harmonics are somewhat like
ripples within the sine wave ,correct? What causes them?
What harm does it do ,I would imagine that its not healthy.
Why would they select the 31st or the 63rd.

Thanks,

 

[catserveng]

Try this link and look thru the application notes for topics that catch your eye, I have found this info to be a good starting point for what can be a very complex subject.

http://us.fluke.com/usen/support/ap...lukeProducts)&parent=APP_NOTES(FlukeProducts)

Hope that helps

 

[jghrist]

Any distorted periodic waveform can be represented by a series of sinusoidal waves with different frequencies. The harmonic order is the frequency of each sinusoid divided by the fundamental frequency (50 or 60 Hz). For instance, the sinusoidal component with a frequency of 1860 Hz on a 60 Hz system is the 31st harmonic.

The even harmonics are usually small and the odd harmonics get smaller in the higher orders. The 31st and 63rd harmonics are usually pretty small. These are probably referenced because they are the limits to how high a harmonic that can be measured with particular meters.

 

[ScottyUK]

Here's another good reference document:

http://www.voltech.com/support/articles/69/Power Analysis and Harmonics (106-004).pps

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If we learn from our mistakes I'm getting a great education!

 

[Senselessticker]

Well, I just hit the wrong button and lost my post...

So, instead of an explaination.... here is a list of important key terms you should understand when trying to deal with harmonics:

non-linear loads
voltage distortion
current distortion
PWM
THD
distortion factor
"K" factored xmfrs
power factor
true power factor
rms current
fundemental rms current
phase shifted xfmr's
oversized neutrals
IEEE 519


Sorry, probably not a very helpful post here, but you should know that understanding harmonics and their effects on electrical systems can be a career in itself... good luck... drink lots of beer...