A real-time intelligent microcontroller-based harmonic computing with smart phone connectivity

Abstract

Increased use of nonlinear loads injects current harmonics in electrical distribution networks and creates new problems of power quality in the power system. In today’s competitive electrical market, electric utilities strive to supply consumers with reliable and pure sinusoidal electric power that does not represent a damaging threat to their equipment. In the restructured power system, prices of the power are associated to power quality. Hence, it is very important to monitor and ensure power quality. This paper presents an innovative way of real-time harmonic computing using intelligent microcontroller and its assessment with automatic meter reading (AMR) on smart phone. During preparation of this paper, fifty site visits are done covering the nonlinear loads like IT industries, steel industries, paper industries, workshops, etc. It is observed that the current harmonics generated are beyond the tolerable limits. Readings are taken at consumer end with the help of standard power analyzer for a period of 24 h. It is also observed that a good number of researchers have worked on harmonic studies in the power system network; however, their work does not fit into the framework of the standards applicable. The developed solution has the capacity to identify the normal and abnormal presence of harmonics with color code. Through this color coding technique, an unskilled worker can easily identify the objectionable presence of harmonics. The computing results are observed to be satisfactory and promising. It creates awareness in the utility for measurement and control of harmonics which in turn helps to improve the power quality.