Characterization and Compensation of Harmonics and Reactive Power of Residential and Commercial Loads

This paper uses data obtained from laboratory measurements of typical home appliances to verify whether these nonlinear loads behave similar to current or voltage-type harmonic sources. Based on the measurements and additional simulations, it is stated that domestic and commercial electronic loads behave essentially like harmonic voltage sources. This behavior helps to explain why reactive shunt compensators and filters may even increase the harmonic current content in the feeders. Additionally, based on field measurements in a residential low-voltage distribution secondary, the share between linear and nonlinear loads, as well as the prevailing kind of their nonlinearity is analyzed. The measurements, made just before and after the installation of a capacitor bank, confirm that the use of shunt compensation increases both voltage and current distortion in the feeder