Tag Archives: Non-Linear Loads

What problems do non-linear loads and harmonics create?

Published by Mirus International Inc., [2010-01-08] MIRUS-FAQ001-B2, FAQ’s Harmonic Mitigating Transformers, 31 Sun Pac Blvd., Brampton, Ontario, Canada. L6S 5P6. Most power systems can accommodate a certain level of harmonic currents but will experience problems when they become a significant component of the overall load. As these higher frequency harmonic currents flow through the powerContinue reading “What problems do non-linear loads and harmonics create?”

Why do non-linear loads have low power factors and why is it important to have a high power factor?

Published by Mirus International Inc., [2010-01-08] MIRUS-FAQ001-B2, FAQ’s Harmonic Mitigating Transformers, 31 Sun Pac Blvd., Brampton, Ontario, Canada. L6S 5P6. Power factor is a measure of how effectively a specific load consumes electricity to produce work. The higher the power factor, the more work produced for a given voltage and current. Figure 3-1 shows theContinue reading “Why do non-linear loads have low power factors and why is it important to have a high power factor?”

Do different types of non-linear loads generate different harmonics?

Published by Mirus International Inc., [2010-01-08] MIRUS-FAQ001-B2, FAQ’s Harmonic Mitigating Transformers, 31 Sun Pac Blvd., Brampton, Ontario, Canada. L6S 5P6. By far the majority of today’s non-linear loads are rectifiers with DC smoothing capacitors. These rectifiers typically come in 3 types – (i) single phase, line-to-neutral, (ii) single phase, phase-to-phase and (iii) three-phase. Single-phase line-to-neutralContinue reading “Do different types of non-linear loads generate different harmonics?”

What are non-linear loads and why are they a concern today?

Published by Mirus International Inc., [2010-01-08] MIRUS-FAQ001-B2, FAQ’s Harmonic Mitigating Transformers, 31 Sun Pac Blvd., Brampton, Ontario, Canada. L6S 5P6. A load is considered non-linear if its impedance changes with the applied voltage. The changing impedance means that the current drawn by the non-linear load will not be sinusoidal even when it is connected toContinue reading “What are non-linear loads and why are they a concern today?”