Harmonics from Transformer Saturation

Abstract

Saturation effects in transformers and shunt reactors can produce harmonics in power systems. Their magnitude can sometimes be found with an electromagnetic transients program, by going from an approximate linear ac steady-state solution directly into a transient simulation in which the nonlinear effects are included. In lightly damped systems, such simulations can take a long time, however, before the distorted steady state is reached. Therefore, another method was developed which uses superposition of steady-state phasor solutions at the fundamental frequency and at the most important harmonic frequencies, with nonlinear inductances represented as harmonic current sources. This method can either be used by itself, or as an improved initialization procedure for electromagnetic transients programs.