Analysis of active power filter for harmonic mitigation in distribution system

Power quality has become a topic of interest over past few years as it is a factor that decides the economic impacts on utilities, suppliers and manufacturers. The industry has now been revitalized with more modern power electronic equipment that is usually non-linear in nature. These non-linear loads draw large amounts of non-linear currents from the source leaving remaining harmonic currents at source point thus distorting the supply current. The nonlinear loads when connected at point of common coupling (PCC) result in harmonics that may damage the other loads connected to PCC. This paper discusses the active power filter (APF) for harmonic mitigation at PCC to maintain power quality. PQ theory for controlling APF currents is employed in this paper. The normal system without APF, system with APF with fixed load and also with variable load is discussed in this paper. The performance factors with their power factor and total harmonic distortion (THD)'s. Simulation work was carried out results were obtained using Matlab/Simulink.