Analysis of Higher Harmonics During Reactive Power Compensation by a Capacitor Bank

This paper presents experimental and numerical study of higher harmonics in a low voltage grid with a compensating capacitor bank with discrete action. The switching of the capacitor bank leads to generation of higher harmonics, which influence on the rest of the devices in the grid. On the other hand, when a capacitor bank operates in a grid with higher harmonics, the current through the capacitor bank increases. The experiments, related to this analysis, have been conducted by means of a laboratory capacitor bank. The theoretical part of the study has been realized with the help of computer models, developed in MATLAB/Simulink. The processes in the grid have been analyzed when the capacitor bank operates with an inductive reactor in the circuit of the capacitors. A comparison has been drawn between the transient processes of both the current and the voltage when the capacitor bank is switched on by means of a contactor with or without damping resistance.