Design and Analysis of Passive Harmonic Filter for Industrial Application Using Web-Based Automation

The design and analysis of passive harmonic filters are essential for improving power quality in industrial applications by reducing harmonic distortion. This paper focuses on automating the conventional process of designing harmonic filters. Power converters, which use Thyristors, IGBTs, MOSFETs and other fast switching devices, are commonly employed to provide controlled electric power to various electrical loads such as variable speed drives (VSDs), furnaces, solar converters, and large power supplies. However, these converters introduce harmonic and reactive power components into the AC mains due to their nonlinear nature. The objective is to minimize current distortion caused by these nonlinear loads at the Point of Common Coupling (PCC), in accordance with IEEE standards for harmonics in Electrical systems for industrial users. This is achieved using passive power filters. A web-based approach to harmonic analysis and mitigation enables the design of shunt passive power harmonic filters with both equal and unequal branch VAR configurations to be more streamlined and cost-effective.