Studying the impact of elevated neutral to earth voltage on distribution systems due to triplen harmonics

Neutral-earth voltages have been a topic of investigation and research for many generations. Non-linear loads, and the harmonics that they generate have also been a topic of research in more recent years. An unexpected side effect of distributed nonlinear loads is an increase in neutral-earth voltages on distribution systems. A case study was presented that shows a correlation between high levels of zero sequence triplen (especially the 3rd) harmonics in distribution systems and an increase in neutral-earth voltages. A method of modeling distribution systems with distributed nonlinear loads was presented. These models were based upon circuit configurations, conductor data, grounding information, transformer data, and any previous measurement data gathered from the field. Additionally, some means for reducing neutral-earth voltages were presented