Assessing Input-Side Current Distortion Caused by LED-Based AC Loads: An Experimental Investigation

Understanding LED technology's impact on power quality is essential given the growth in the use of LED lighting applications. In electrical networks, harmonic distortion and other problems with power quality are exacerbated by the growth of non-linear loads like LED lighting systems. This paper focused on the impact of AC loads made of LEDs on input-side current distortion. This study focused on the impact of LED-based AC loads on input-side current distortion by conducting a thorough investigation of these loads. The experimental setup included integrating representative 5W and 9W LED loads into a regulated AC power system. Under a variety of operating circumstances, including various supply voltage and load levels, the levels of current distortion were measured. Harmonic content, total harmonic distortion (THD), power factor, and other pertinent metrics were investigated to determine the degree of current distortion. The experimental findings showed distinct current distortion patterns linked to the two types of LED loads. The harmonic components and distortion characteristics of the 5W LED load were distinct, whereas the input-side current effects of the 9W LED load were different. These results enable a deeper comprehension of the contributions to harmonics and power factors of LED-based AC loads and offer useful insights into the relationship between LED-based AC loads and power quality.