Voltage unbalance management in power systems based on IEC 61000-3-13:2008: Implications on the use of 'kuE factor'

• Published in: 2012 IEEE 15th International Conference on Harmonics and Quality of Power pp. 936 - 942
• Main Authors: Jayatunga, U., Perera, S., Ciufo, P.
• Format: Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: IEEE 01-06-2012
• Subjects: current unbalance; k uE factor; load asymmetry; power quality; system inherent asymmetry; voltage unbalance; voltage unbalance emission allocation; voltage unbalance emission assessment
• ISBN: 1467319449; 9781467319447
• ISSN: 1540-6008; 2164-0610
• DOI: 10.1109/ICHQP.2012.6381180

Voltage unbalance emission allocation principles prescribed in IEC61000-3-13:2008 Technical Report utilise a factor, k uE , which allows separation of the total voltage unbalance that arises at a point of evaluation due to both the load under consideration and the supply network. As per the definition given, this factor (k uE ) accounts for the unbalance emission that arises due to the load whereas (1-k uE ) accounts for unbalance that arises due to the network. The technical report prescribes a range of values from which a suitable value can be chosen based on the system characteristics, however, no systematic methodologies exist to-date to determine the k uE factor. Hence, the sensitivity of the k uE factor to various system parameters cannot be examined. The work presented in this paper examines the sensitivity of this factor to system characteristics covering line asymmetry, load type and the level of load unbalance. While giving a systematic methodology for the evaluation of k uE it is demonstrated that the use of a constant k uE factor as given in IEC61000-3-13:2008 can lead to erroneous outcomes under certain conditions.