Active Harmonic Filters

Improve Your Equipment Performance and Reduce Energy Costs.

Harmonic voltages (harmonics) within the power grid have the potential to cause equipment malfunction, overheating and hardware damage. Active Harmonic Filters can mitigate the risks associated with harmonic damages, improve power quality, and reduce energy costs. 


The cleaner the grid, the greater the benefit.

Is your site having the following issues?

  • Overheating electrical distribution equipment, cables, transformers, standby generators etc.
  • High voltages and circulating currents caused by harmonic resonance
  • Equipment malfunctions due to excessive voltage distortion
  • Increased internal energy losses in connected equipment, causing component failure and shortened life span
  • False tripping of branch circuit breakers
  • Metering errors
  • Fires in wiring and distribution systems
  • Generator failures
  • Crest factors and related problems
  • Lower system power factor, resulting in penalties on monthly utility bills


If the answer is yes, harmonic voltages are likely causing these power issues.

What are Harmonics?

Harmonic voltages (harmonics) have the potential to cause equipment malfunction, overheating and hardware damage. They are a result of the distortion of normal electrical current that is caused by non-linear electrical loads. These non-linear power supplies draw current in high-amplitude short pulses that create significant distortion in the electrical current and voltage wave shape – harmonic distortion, measured as total harmonic distortion (THD).


The distortion travels back into the power source and can affect other equipment connected to the same source. Most power systems will experience problems when harmonics become a significant component of the overall load.

Read More About the Impacts of Harmonics

What Problems Are Caused by Harmonics?

Harmonic voltages in electricity supply can cause equipment and machinery to behave erratically or entirely malfunction. However, it can go completely undetected and misdiagnosed. 

Some Effects of Harmonics

Cause

  • Rise of the total current harmonic distortion (THDi%)
  • Unwanted tripping of circuit breakers and residual current devices
  • Increase in transformer temperature
  • Decrease in UPS performance
  • Decrease in motor performance
  • Overheating of cable and switchboards
  • Non-compliant switchboards under AS/NZS 61000.3.6.

Effects

  • Current increase in conductors, temperature increase in conductors, possible insulation loss in conductors, malfunction in PLC.
  • Power cuts in production lines
  • Premature ageing of the transformer
  • Need to expand UPS
  • Premature ageing of motors

Problems

  • Economic losses due to production downtimes
  • Extra costs in maintenance
  • Extra costs in installation, risk of production downtime and data loss

If your business faces these harmonic voltage problems, installing an active harmonic filter is the solution. Contact us to discuss how we can help mitigate harmonics in your electrical network.

Contact Us

Active Harmonic Filter

How does an Active Harmonic Filter Work?

Active Harmonic Filters (AHF) are filters and the perfect comprehensive solution to power quality problems with the grid, such as harmonics, reactive power, and three-phase load imbalance. Active harmonic filters can be used to filter out harmonics in the power system which are significantly below the switching frequency of the filter.


The active harmonic filter cleans out higher and lower-order harmonics in an electrical system. The process is also known as harmonic mitigation.

Benefits of Active Harmonic Filters

Harmonic Filtering Efficiency

Active harmonic filters have high filtering efficiency, mitigating up to 20 harmonics simultaneously with a selection of harmonics up to the 50th order. 

Reactive Power Compensation

Active Harmonic Filters can perform precise step-less reactive power compensation of both inductive and capacitive loads. The target cos φ is programmable from 0.6 inductive to 0.6 capacitive, which makes Active Harmonic Filters an alternative to conventional capacitor banks. Moreover, this compensates loads fed by generators without the risk of over-compensation. In addition, capacitive loads can also be compensated.

Load Balancing

This feature is available in 3-wire and 4-wire systems between phases and between phase and neutral. It helps to improve voltage imbalance on the phases and reduction of neutral current, which increases the safety of the installation and allows sensitive loads to operate more efficiently.

Features and Benefits of Quality Energy Active Harmonic Filters

Quality Energy Active Harmonic Filtering Systems

Quality Energy manufactures all our SVG and AHF equipment in our manufacturing hub at Moorabbin, Victoria. We partner with premium electrical components manufacturers who are leaders in the field, enabling the creation of a new generation of Quality Energy Active Harmonic Filters and Static Var Generators that are flexible yet do not compromise on performance.


Features:

  • Modular design with three-level topology performance.
  • Wall-mounted unit or floor-standing options.
  • Individual selection of harmonics to be filtered to ensure maximum performance.
  • Single cabinet, meaning single supply and a reduction in installation costs for hybrid solutions.
  • Selection of harmonics up to the 50th order
  • Harmonic attenuation factor better than 97%
  • Available in IP20 (wall-mounted), IP30 and IP54 (floor-standing) as standard.
  • Best in class 3-year manufacturing warranty (conditions apply).


Download Quality Energy's Active Harmonic Filter Product Guide

Australian Standards Compliance for Active Harmonic Filters

Safe. Reliable. Compliant.

In Australia, the AS/NZS 61000.3.6 standard governs the acceptable level of harmonic voltage distortion and aligns with the IEEE 519 guidelines. If your power supplier or distributor is dissatisfied with the amount of voltage distortion at the point of common coupling (PCC), they may require harmonic filtering to comply with the Australian Standards. The 1992 edition of IEEE 519 specifies limits for both harmonic voltages on utility transmission and distribution systems and harmonic currents within industrial distribution systems. By managing the currents or impedances in the industrial facility, one can regulate harmonic voltages on the utility distribution since these voltages arise from the flow of harmonic currents through distribution system impedances.


Quality Energy’s Active Harmonic Filters comply with Australian Standards, ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14001:2015. We configure and build our Active Harmonic Filters in our manufacturing hub and factory at Moorabbin, Victoria and undergo rigorous factory testing (FAT).

Quality Energy's Active Harmonic Filter in Action

In this Active Harmonic Filter use case scenario, the Total Harmonic Distortion (THDi) for three phases at the site is 15%. After installing and commissioning Quality Energy's Active Harmonic Filters, the THDi was reduced to 3%. This is a significant reduction in harmonics.

Harmonics before and after Active Harmonic Filter installation

Current waveform before and after Active Harmonic Filter installation

What our customers say

quotesArtboard 1 copy 2
  • Testimonial from Rupe Virk, Head of Projects Jalplas

    In early 2020 our site in Thomastown was experiencing power quality issues that was affecting our critical manufacturing equipment. After contacting Quality Energy and having them conduct a Power Quality study, it was determined we required a 200A Active Harmonic Filter to help eliminate our harmonic pollution and protect our entire infostructure. Quality Energy designed, installed and now maintain our Active Harmonic Filter and we have had a clean bill of health since the installation took place.


    Rupe Virk

    Head of Projects Jalplas

    View case study
  • Testimonial from Chris James, Kurv Living

    In June 2020, Kurv Living were faced with several power outages due to the quality of the power entering our manufacturing facility. After completing extensive Power Quality diagnostics, Quality Energy determined that we had high harmonic levels that were causing our critical machinery to shut down. Quality Energy then installed a 200Amp Active Harmonic Filter in September of the same year and we haven’t had any issues since.


    Chris James

    Kurv Living

    View case study

FAQs about Active Harmonic Filters

There are many questions about Harmonics and its impact, and how does Active Harmonic Filters help to control harmonics in your business' power systems. Here you can find the most common questions we get. If your question is not listed below, please do not hesitate to contact our team and we can help with your queries.

  • What are Harmonics?

    Harmonics is a distortion of normal electrical current caused by switch-mode power supplies (SMPS) that convert utility AC voltage to low-voltage DC for the internal electronics of common equipment like computers, photocopiers, laser printers, LED lights and air conditioners. 

  • What causes Harmonics?

    Non-linear devices in the power system cause harmonic distortion. A non-linear device is one in which the current is not proportionate to the applied device. These non-linear power supplies draw current in high-amplitude short pulses that create significant distortion in the electrical current and voltage wave shape – harmonic distortion, measured as total harmonic distortion (THD). 


    This distortion travels back into the power source and can affect other equipment connected to the same source. Most power systems will experience problems when harmonics become a significant component of the overall load. 

  • What are the loads responsible for Harmonics?

    • Variable Frequency Drive
    • Induction Furnace
    • Saturable Reactors
    • Electronics Ballasts
    • UPS
    • Thyristoried Power Control Device
    • Switch Mode Power Supply
    • Computer
    • Single Phase Rectifier
    • AC Regulator
    • Cyclo-converter

  • What damages can harmonics cause to the system?

    Harmonics have the potential to cause equipment malfunction, overheating and hardware damage. Other common problems include:


    • Overheating electrical distribution equipment, cables, transformers, standby generators, etc.
    • High voltages and circulating currents caused by harmonic resonance
    • Equipment malfunctions due to excessive voltage distortion
    • Increased internal energy losses in connected equipment, causing component failure and shortened life span
    • False tripping of branch circuit breaker
    • Metering errors
    • Fires in wiring and distribution systems
    • Generator failures
    • Crest factors and related problems
    • Lower system power factor, resulting in penalties on monthly utility bills

  • How to control harmonics?

    Harmonics can be controlled using active harmonic filters or passive harmonics filters. 

  • Why are Active Harmonic Filters better than Passive Harmonic Filters?

    Active Harmonic Filters are made from a series of active and programmable devices that can continuously monitor the system's harmonics and clean the current sinewave through inverse currents, eliminating the majority of undesired harmonic components.


    On the other hand, passive filters cannot sense real-time conditions.


  • Can Active Harmonic Filters improve Power Factor?

    Yes. Active Harmonic Filters improve the power factor by reducing the distortion level of the Harmonics, balancing the current in each phase of the electric power system and providing reactive power compensation. 

  • Why choose Quality Energy for Active Harmonic Filters?

    Quality Energy’s range of Active Harmonic Filters are designed to reduce harmonic currents up to the fiftieth harmonics (2,500Hz) in accordance with global standards. Quality Energy is Australia’s leading Power Quality specialist since 1989, offering high-quality Active Harmonic Filtering solutions to suit every commercial and industrial need.


    Quality Energy's Active Harmonic Filters feature:


    • Compact design
    • Simple installation
    • Designed to be safe and intuitive
    • Extendable modular system

  • Two-pronged Approach to Energy Efficiency for Visy Industries Paper Mill

    Two-pronged Approach to Energy Efficiency for Visy Industries Paper Mill

    Quality Energy has been supporting Visy Industries to reduce their electrical demand (kVA) for over 20 years. Our team deployed Power Factor Correction equipment and Active Harmonic Filter to mitigate harmonics-related outages and lagging power factor.
  • Resolving unplanned production shutdowns for Jalna.

    Resolving unplanned production shutdowns for Jalna.

    Quality Energy resolved the harmonic pollution issue for Jalna which is causing unplanned production shutdowns.
  • Reduce harmonic pollution for Flinders Private Hospital

    Reduce harmonic pollution for Flinders Private Hospital

    Quality Energy reduced the harmonic pollution that was interfering with sensitive medical imaging equipment, so Flinders Private Hospital can continue their critical lifesaving work.
  • Resolving harmonic interference to ECG equipment at Royal Melbourne Hospital

    Resolving harmonic interference to ECG equipment at Royal Melbourne Hospital

    Quality Energy detected and resolved harmonic pollution which is interfering with ECG test results.

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