Harmonic distortion and power factor assessment in city street gas discharge lamps

The current and voltage harmonic spectrum, and power factor in gas discharge lamps: sodium (Na)-high pressure and mercury (Hg) in actual use in public street lighting have been measured. A sample of nearly 360 gas discharge lamps (Na, Hg) of different rated power was obtained by simple random sampling over a universe of approximately 15000 lamps. An "equivalent" current harmonic spectrum for gas discharge lamps is proposed, which is independent of the type of gas and the lamp rated power. This current spectrum can be used to integrate gas discharge lamp models for harmonic distortion level assessment in distribution networks. The relation of this equivalent current harmonic spectrum with: (i) lamp voltage waveform, (ii) type of lamp (Na, Hg), and (iii) power factor-capacitor lamp, is analyzed.