Evaluating the Impact of Connected Non Linear Loads on Power Quality- a Nuclear Reactor case study

Abstract

Power quality monitoring and investigation are necessary to maintain perfect and safe operation of sensitive equipment especially for nuclear facilities. In this work, a case study about harmonic analysis of an electrical power system at a Nuclear Research Reactor (NRR) has been done to evaluate the current state from the PQ point of view. Firstly, a study is given separately for different types of individual loads in NRR and their impact on the PQ of the electrical system. Then, an investigation of practical measurements was carried out for the NRR electrical system during certain condition of operation. These measurements were concerned with harmonic distortion in voltage, current and power of the electrical system of the NRR facility. Generally, the measurement results showed that the harmonic distortions in the electrical system are within the standard limits. Finally, modeling and simulation for the NRR electrical system has been built using Electrical Transient Analysis Program (ETAP) software to be used for simulations at different operating scenarios. The simulation results are compared with the measurements for verification and credibility. From the study it is clearly concluded that results of the program have a very slight difference with measured results and the impact of current state non-linear loads of NRR on PQ is accepted form the side of harmonics.