EFFECTIVENESS OF HARMONIC MITIGATION EQUIPMENT FOR COMMERCIAL OFFICE BUILDINGS

Harmonic currents generated by modern office equipment increase power system heat losses and the power bills of end users. By looking at the harmonic-related losses in a specific electrical system-representing a commercial office building-energy savings and harmonic reduction ben efits of different mitigation measures are quantified. Two single-phas e and three three-phase active and passive harmonic filters are added to a typical building electrical system and evaluated by computer simu lation. Current and voltage distortions are computed, and the estimate d cost of these filters are compared to predicted losses in a power sy stem where harmonic currents are not compensated. Results show some ha rmonic compensating filters are effective and others are not, dependin g on the filter type and location in the building wiring system.