An area substation load model in the presence of harmonics

A computer program is described which simulates the effects of harmonics introduced at the distribution level (13.8 kV/120 or 277 V) by nonlinear loads and which can be integrated into existing load flow codes. Each device is represented by a table of harmonics (amplitude and phase) of the current when energized by a sinusoidal voltage. For simplicity, it is assumed that the current waveform remains unchanged when the applied voltage becomes "slightly" distorted by the harmonic components of the current. An estimate is made of the error caused by this assumption.