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Harmonic and neutral to ground voltage reduction using isolation transformer

Article · November 2010

DOI: 10.1109/PECON.2010.5697645

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 2010 IEEE International Conference on Power and Energy (PECon2010), Nov 29 - Dec 1, 2010, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Harmonic and Neutral to Ground Voltage

Reduction Using Isolation Transformer
M.A Shafie*, H. Singh*, M.Q.A Rahman*
*
Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi MARA Malaysia
Email: mohdaffandi370@ppinang.uitm.edu.my

Abstract— Service reliability and quality of power have
become a growing concern especially with the increasing
sensitivity of electronic equipment which generates harmonic
current and voltage in distribution system posing new
problems for electrical engineers. This power quality
problem is of prime concern due to non-linear loads showing
distorted current and voltage waveforms. An unexpected
side effect of distributed non-linear loads is an increase in
neutral-ground voltages on distribution systems. In this
paper, a study was done to determine the power quality for
the several computer labs at UiTM Penang. The reduction of
harmonic voltage and neutral to ground voltage using
isolation transformer was analyzed. Isolation transformer is
used to improve the harmonics as well as neutral to ground
voltage. The findings identified the harmonic content is in full
compliance with the IEEE standards.
Keywords — Harmonic; Neutral to ground voltage; Power
Quality; Non linear loads
I. INTRODUCTION
In the past several years, the uses of electronic
equipments have increased drastically due to demands
from power consumers and power equipment
manufacturers. This issue became more serious with the
non linear loads (rectifiers, microwave ovens, blenders,
electric drills, UPS, computer, printer, TV’s, variable
speed drivers, arc furnaces and industrial electronic
be reduced to an acceptable level [5]. One volt may create
an immediate response and is cause for concern in any
operation. Large voltage may cause increasingly several
problems. If the neutral-to-ground voltage is less than 0.5
volt, there probably is no serious cause for concern. If the
voltage is in the range of 0.5 to 1.0 volts or higher, it
should be monitored and some corrective measures may
have to be taken [3].It is important to note that neutral to
ground voltage is a normal occurrence caused by the
intentional grounding of the power system.
II. HARMONICS
The non linear loads draw non-sinusoidal currents from
the supply and lead to voltage distortion. This deviation
from a perfect sine wave can be represented by harmonic
components having a frequency that is an integral
multiple of the fundamental frequency [1]. Harmonics are
multiples of the fundamental frequency, which is 50 hertz
(Hz) in Malaysia. Harmonics are created by nonlinear
loads because current does not varies smoothly with
voltage as it does with simple resistive and reactive loads.
Amplitude

equipment which contains of power semiconductors such

as thyristor, converters, inverters and etc. These power
semiconductors are some of the sources of harmonics
[1-2]. Large commercial and office buildings are supplied
by a three-phase utility source. The loads in those
buildings are usually fed primarily by single-phase power
lines connected between one of the three lines and the
neutral line [3]. Both nonlinear and linear loads are Figure 1: Fundamental with third and fifth harmonics
connected to these single- phase distribution systems.
Excessive harmonic voltage may lead to malfunction and Almost all productivity equipment used in the modem
higher losses for linear loads. Therefore, suppression of office environment falls into this category. Personal
harmonic voltage is more important and effective for computers, workstations, and peripheral devices such as
improving the quality of three-phase four-wire power printers and copiers all contain circuitry for converting
distribution systems than suppressing harmonic current utility-supplied ac voltage to dc which is supplied to
[2]. microelectronics components [6]. These loads are
normally single-phase (although power supplies for
Common mode (CM) voltage is another term popularly larger mainframe or minicomputer systems may be
applied to the neutral to ground phenomena. Neutral to three-phase) and are supplied from receptacles at 240V
ground voltage is any potential measured between the which draw current as shown in the Fig 2.
neutral (white) conductor and the safety ground conductor
of a building electrical system. The common voltage
normally cannot totally be eliminated, but it can certainly

978-1-4244-8946-6/10/$26.00 ©2010 IEEE 561


Figure 2: Current Waveform of a Typical Switch-Mode Power Supply.
The relationship between voltage across and current
through a fluorescent lamp is non linear due to the
characteristics of the electrical arc which is responsible
for illumination. However, harmonic current generation
by fluorescent lighting is strongly influenced by the
type of lamp ballasts used. Although fluorescent lamps
with magnetic ballasts draw non sinusoidal currents, there
is currently more concern about electronic ballasts.
Lighting in a modern office building provides a wide
range of current waveform and harmonic distortion.
Energy efficient fluorescent lighting is beginning to
dominate all other types of lighting in commercial
buildings. Both magnetic and electronic ballasts serving 4-
ft fixtures can generate harmonic currents, but as seen
earlier, levels are significantly lower than the typical
computer [8] .A line current from a lighting circuit serving
one common type of electronic ballast is shown in Fig 3.
Figure 3: Electronic Ballast Current Waveform for Fluorescent Lighting
III. ISOLATION TRANSFORMER
A. Concept
An isolation transformer is a transformer with
physically separate primary and secondary windings as
shown in Fig 4. These windings are typically separated by
an electrostatic shield, which is a sheet of nonmagnetic
conducting material (copper or aluminum) connected to
ground which acts as a shield to prevent the noise of one
system from passing through the transformer to sensitive
equipments [7]. Shielded isolation transformers are very
popular power-conditioning devices. They isolate sensitive
loads from transients and noise caused by the utility. They
can also keep harmonics produced by end-user non linear
equipments from getting onto the utility’s system. They
especially eliminate common-mode noise [9].
562
Figure 4 : Isolation Transformer concept
Isolation transformers are dry type, natural air cooled
isolation (separation) transformers where the primary
(line) and secondary (load) side windings are electrically
and separated from each other, thus, there is a functional
insulation by design [7].
B. Potential Application
Isolation transformer prevents common-mode noise
from reaching and damaging sensitive electronic
equipments. If the secondary of the isolation transformer
is a grounded wye, then no common-mode noise can
reach the protected sensitive equipment. The NEC
requires that the secondary neutral bonded to ground. This
bond eliminates any voltages that the load may see
between the neutral and ground. With the isolation
transformer, the NEC allows the secondary to be
grounded [9]. The isolation transformer, as it names
implies, isolates sensitive equipments from transients and
noise produced by the utility. The components of the
isolation transformer provide a path for transients and
noise. Isolation transformer components include a
primary and secondary winding with a magnetic core and
grounded shield made non magnetic foil located between
the primary and secondary winding [9]. Any noise and
transient that comes from the utility is transmitted through
the capacitance between the primary and the shield and
onto the ground and does not reach any sensitive
equipment as shown as in Fig 5.
Figure 5 : Fig shows the different between unshielded transformer and
shielded transformer.
In addition to protecting the end user from transients
caused by the utility, the delta-wye isolation transformer
protects the utility from triplen harmonics (third, ninth,
fifteenth, etc). The isolation transformer transfers the
triplen harmonics from the wye secondary to the delta
primary of the transformer. The triplen harmonics remain
in the delta primary circulating around and generating Start
heat in the transformer but not getting on the utility’s
system. The Fig 6 shows a diagram of a shielded delta-
wye isolation transformer [9]. Literature review:
Define objective and scope
Study about high neutral to ground

Data Collection Process:

Monitor the harmonic voltage and
neutral to ground voltage.

Analyzing data:
Use the Reliable Power Meter (RPM)
software to analyze the monitored data.
Compare the measurement data.
Figure 6 : Tree phase delta-wye isolation transformer.

Analyzed data using IEEE Standard

Shielded isolation transformers are often used in
conjunction with surge suppressors. They do not regulate
the voltage or protect equipment from voltage sags.
Various types of line-voltage regulators provide that type
of protection. Recommendation to the problem

IV. METHODOLOGY
The objective of this power quality analysis was to
study the harmonics and neutral to ground voltage End
generated by the non linear loads, and analyze the
harmonic and neutral to ground voltage data with and
without isolation transformer. This study was conducted Diagram 1: Flowchart of the methodology approach
because of view of the frequent power supply interruptions
and damage to several expensive electrical equipments at
Universiti Teknologi MARA, Penang especially at a
several computer labs. The harmonic analysis software
utilized in the study was made available by
Professional Power Recorder System, Reliable Power
Meter(RPM). This software allowed the recording
min/max/average values of harmonic content, nominal
voltage, voltage and current imbalance for each
waveforms and waveform display, as well as the
calculation of harmonic content for each waveform
Figure 7: Harmonic voltage and neutral to ground voltage monitoring location
obtained. The monitoring of the incoming power supply at point A and point B
voltages and using reliable power monitors (RPM)
recording min/max/average values and looking for
harmonic voltage and neutral to ground voltage at the
monitored switchboards. The wiring system configuration
of the isolation transformer is in series with the load is a
shown in Fig 7. The measurement of harmonic voltage and
neutral to ground voltage will be conducted at point A and
Point B. At this point the different value of the harmonic
voltage and neutral to ground voltage are analyzed. The
detail wiring system configuration for the isolation
transformer was carried out as shown in Fig 8.

Figure 8: Schematic diagram of the connection isolation transformer at the

distribution system

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 The harmonic voltage and neutral to ground voltage
are monitored by using reliable power meter (RPM)
software at the non linear loads. In this case, the non
linear load is computer. The main objectives are to see
how far the reduction of amplitude voltage harmonics
and neutral to ground voltage could be achieved. The
monitored results between with (Point A) and without
(Point B) isolation transformer are compared. The
analyzed software is to be interpreted and compared using
the IEEE standards. The harmonic voltage at all monitoring
points were in compliance with the IEEE standards (519-
1992) indicating satisfactory operation of the electrical
loads [4].
V. RESULTS
The measurement data of neutral to ground voltage at Fig 10: Without isolation transformer (Point B) for computer lab 1
with and without isolation transformer for 3 different
locations are shown in Table I.

TABLE I.
NEUTRAL TO GROUND VOLTAGE
N-G Min. Ave. Max.
Location
voltage mV mV mV
Computer With 610.3 734.0 976.6
Lab 1 Without 610.3 835.1 1464
Computer With 732.0 732.9 977.6
Lab 2 Without 610.0 855.2 1099
Computer With 488.4 610.0 855
Lab 3 Without 732.2 732.2 977.0

The neutral to ground voltage waveforms at with and

without isolation transformer for 3 different location of
computer lab are shown in Fig 9 to Fig 14.
Fig 11: With isolation transformer (Point A) for computer lab 2
The measurement data of the Total Harmonic
Distortion (THD) of voltage at Point A and Point B for the
different locations are shown in Table II to Table VII. The
measurement data is based on the phase voltage.

Fig 12: Without isolation transformer (Point B) for computer lab 2

Fig 9: With isolation transformer (Point A) for computer lab 1

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 TABLE V.
THE FIRST 16 HARMONICS FOR PHASE VOLTAGE WITHOUT (POINT B)
ISOLATION TRANSFORMER AT COMPUTER LAB 2

Voltage
Va Vb Vc
THD
Odd 1.822% 2.132% 1.951%
Even 0.278% 0.264% 0.211%
Total 1.842% 2.152% 1.961%

TABLE VI.
THE FIRST 16 HARMONICS FOR PHASE VOLTAGE WITH (POINT A)
ISOLATION TRANSFORMER AT COMPUTER LAB 3

Voltage
Va Vb Vc
THD
Odd 1.271% 1.132% 0.871%
Fig 13: With isolation transformer (Point A) for computer lab 3 Even 0.301% 0.298% 0.305%
Total 1.521% 1.118% 0.838%

TABLE VII.
THE FIRST 16 HARMONICS FOR PHASE VOLTAGE WITHOUT (POINT B)
ISOLATION TRANSFORMER AT COMPUTER LAB 3

Voltage
Va Vb Vc
THD
Odd 1.209% 1.914% 1.682%
Even 0.274% 0.266% 0.210%
Total 1.997% 1.860% 1.720%

The current harmonic waveforms at with and without

isolation transformer are shown in Fig 15 and Fig 16.

Fig 14: Without isolation transformer (Point B) for computer lab 3

TABLE II.
THE FIRST 16 HARMONICS FOR PHASE VOLTAGE WITH (POINT A)
ISOLATION TRANSFORMER AT COMPUTER LAB 1

Voltage THD Va Vb Vc
Odd 1.471% 1.032% 0.781%
Even 0.299% 0.295% 0.303%
Total 1.501% 1.074% 0.838%

Figure 4.8: Plotted graph for phase voltage vs total harmonic distortion
TABLE III.
THE FIRST 16 HARMONICS FOR PHASE VOLTAGE WITHOUT (POINT B) (THD) of with and without isolation transformer at computer lab 1.
ISOLATION TRANSFORMER AT COMPUTER LAB 1

Voltage THD Va Vb Vc
Odd 1.909% 1.814% 1.678%
Even 0.263% 0.256% 0.200%
Total 1.927% 1.832% 1.690%

TABLE IV.
THE FIRST 16 HARMONICS FOR PHASE VOLTAGE WITH (POINT A)
ISOLATION TRANSFORMER AT COMPUTER LAB 2

Voltage THD Va Vb Vc
Odd 1.398% 1.112% 0.977%
Even 0.297% 0.295% 0.310%
Total 1.438% 1.134% 0.838%
Figure 4.9: Plotted graph for phase voltage vs total harmonic distortion
(THD) of with and without isolation transformer at computer lab 2.

565
 Harmonics in the Distribution System,” National Power &
Energy Conference (PECon) 2004 Proceedings.
[2] Keiji Wada and Toshihisa Shimizu, “Mitigation Method of 3rd-
Harmonic Voltage for a Three-Phase Four-Wire Distribution
System Based on a Series Active Filter for the Neutral
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Metropolitan University 1-1, Minami-ohsawa, Hachioji, Tokyo,
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[3] Chuck Thomas,”Power Quality in Medium and Large
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[4] Sanmin Wei, N. Zargari, Bin Wu and S. Rizzo, “Comparison and
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Ryerson University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5B 2K3,2004.
Figure 4.10: Plotted graph for phase voltage vs total harmonic distortion [5] Louis Hapeshis, ”Power System Harmonic Mitigation for Water
(THD) of with and without isolation transformer at computer lab 3. and Wastewater Treatment Plants,” PE, Square D Engineering
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[6] Fluke Education Partnership Program, 2004, PQ Measurement at
VI. CONCLUSION receptacle branch circuit, http://www.fluke.com,30/01/2008.
Based on measurement data for each computer lab, the [7] E. P. Wenaas and R. Wheeler,”EMP Isolation Transformer,”
THD% voltage is highest at location Point B without the IEEE Transactions on Nuclear Science, Vol. NS-32, No. 6,
December 1985.
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isolation transformer. The odd components were found to Effects on Power Quality and Transformers,” IEEE Members,
contribute higher levels of harmonics in comparison to IEEE Transaction on Industry Applications, VOL. 30, NO. 3,
even harmonics. It was found that the 3th harmonic is May/June 1994.
eliminated and the 5th harmonics reduced by using the [9] Barry W. Kennedy, “Power Quality Primer”, 2006, United State
of America, Taylor & Francis Group.
isolation transformer. The THD voltage for phase A at
[10] Michael Z. Lowenstein, “The 3rd Harmonic Blocking Filter: A
computer lab 1 is 1.927% without isolation transformer Well Established Approach to Harmonic Current Mitigation”,
and reduced to 1.501% using the isolation transformer. member of The IEEE Industrial Applications S ociety, IAEI
The maximum value of neutral to ground voltage is magazine.
reduced using isolation transformer for all 3 locations. At
the computer lab 1, the maximum value of neutral to
ground voltage without isolation transformer is 1.464V. It
is reduced to 976.6mV using isolation transformer. The
results clearly show that by installed the isolation
transformer can reduce harmonic voltage as well as neutral
to ground at the same time. The comparisons between with
and without isolation transformer for phase A current
waveforms are shown in Fig 15 and Fig 16. The current
waveforms pattern are similar for phase A, Phase B and
phase C .With the installation of isolation transformer, it is
observed that the harmonic content is in full compliance
with the IEEE standards (519-1992). For recommendation,
3rd harmonic blocking filter (often called a harmonic
suppression system or HSS) methods is alternative method
to reduce the harmonic voltage and neutral to ground
voltage. It is some benefits of installing this technology to
mitigate harmonic voltage as well as neutral to ground
voltage. The analysis of performance shows that the
isolation transformer is very significant in improving
both harmonic voltage and neutral to ground voltage at the
low distribution system.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
I would like to take this opportunity to express my
deepest gratitude and appreciation to all personnel who
have directly or indirectly helped me in completing this
paper.
REFERENCES
[1] M.Izhar, C.M.Hadzer, SyafrudinM, S.Taib and S.Idns,
“Performance for Passive and Active Power Filter in Reducing

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