Effects of Non Linear Loading on Power Quality

Recent advances in power electronics has made it easier to control the consumer electronics appliances efficiently. Also there is a growing need of highly reliable and cost efficient products to cater a wide range of the society needs. The electronic front end of such products contributes to be a nonlinear load. The most common device is a simple rectifier with capacitive filter which converts AC into DC that in turn powers a wide range of household appliances like LED lighting, mobile charger etc. Such a nonlinear load causes power quality to degrade. Many of the modern days power sources acts as a non-linear load over the grid which contain power electronic switching devices. These devices do not conduct current for entire cycle of the supply voltage, and hence harmonics are introduced in the power system. If the power quality of the supply system is in accordance with regulatory standards, then efficient and satisfactory operation of load can be ensured. But if the power quality of the supply system is not in accordance with standards, then there exists chances of load failure and reduced lifetime hence leading to the inefficient operation of the overall installation. This paper describes brief review on the impact of nonlinear loads on power quality in terms of harmonics. Also, case study for study of harmonics profile of various types of non linear loads is presented with MATLAB simulations.