Introduction to Active Harmonic Filter

Suitable to be fitted within large installation systems, Active Harmonic Filters are used to eliminate, or at least mitigate, harmonics experienced from power received from the Australian national grid. The electricity which is delivered to a property is not necessarily ‘clean’ and therefore properties can experience harmonics. Harmonic currents lead to power which is polluted enough to cause failures within an installation and it also takes up capacity within the electrical system. Active Harmonic Filters should be installed to minimise harmonics and therefore optimise the power supply.

An Active Harmonic Filter includes a series of transistors and capacitors to clean the current sinewave through inverse currents which will eliminate the majority of undesired harmonic components. Voltage fluctuations and harmonics cause grid disturbances and this can damage equipment, cause power surges and lead to overheating in addition to increasing energy bills. By installing an Active Harmonic Filter, a property is also helping to clean up Australia’s electrical grid supply, benefitting all users and the planet.

Active Harmonic Filters are larger than Passive Harmonic Filters. While we recognise that some installations are limited by space, Active Harmonic Filters are able to provide a superior level of power quality improvement. Active Harmonic Filters will not overload when the active filter limit is reached, while a Passive Harmonic Filter may be at risk of doing so. Additionally, if an Active Harmonic Filter is rendered incapacitated, the motors for which it is optimising power will not be affected. This is due to the fact that the current itself does not run through the filter.

For installations where constant output is key, we recommend Active Harmonic Filters. While the initial cost will be higher, an Active Harmonic Filter will, in the long run, be more effective when it comes to maintaining a business’ bottom line by guaranteeing ongoing output and reducing energy costs.

Appliction of Active Harmonic Filter

• Variable Speed Drives. The most common application for Active Filters is the compensation of harmonics generated by variable speed drives, often referred to as VFDs or Frequency Converters.
• Welding Plants.
• Furnaces.
• Wind and Solar Power Systems.
• Lighting.
• UPS Systems.

Low voltage Active Harmonic Filter modular

Low voltage Active Harmonic Filter Panel