By admin
http://www.cwhdallas.com/supply-transformer/
Supply Transformer
| Account limit of 2000 requests per hour exceeded. |
Harmonics and Uninterruptible Power Supplies
Harmonic pollution is a growing problem in Europe and one that designers of power continuity programmes and manufacturers of UPS (uninterruptible power supplies) cannot ignore. Typical harmonic problems include the distortion of mains power supply voltage, overheating of wiring, neutral conductors, supply transformers and switchgear and nuisance tripping of breakers. Harmonics can also cause disruption to equipment on the same supply and lead to random failures.
Harmonics are caused by voltage or current waveforms with frequencies that are multiples of the fundamental frequency – in Europe, 50Hz (50 cycles per second). The multiples are always ordered in a specific sequence: for example, the 2nd harmonic is 100Hz (2x50Hz), the third 150Hz and the fourth 200Hz and so on.
The particular problem of Triplens (third order) harmonics. Harmonics are a particular issue for power continuity management due to the large number of switch mode power supply (SMPS) loads being connected to modern electrical distribution networks – and their associated UPS systems. These are the most common form of power supply unit (PSU) in use today. As a non-linear load, they draw their power in regular modulated pulses of current from a mains power supply rather than as a continuous linear supply. This can lead to SMPSs generating high levels of harmonics, especially when many are being supplied from a single three-phase mains power supply.
In particular, system designers must be aware of the potentially damaging Triple-Ns (or Triplens) whose harmonic order numbers are multiples of three and include the notorious third-harmonics as well as ninths and fifteenths. Thirds are probably the most challenging harmonic in terms of neutral conductor loading within a three-phase system. Whereas other harmonics cancel each other out, third-harmonics are in phase with each other and exhibit a summing effect which greatly increases the current – potentially overloading conductors and switchgear.
Harmonics and total power factor – implications for UPS sizing. Harmonics are also closely related to power factor management – and another key aspect of uninterruptible power supply system design and implementation. The displacement power factor is only applicable to the fundamental frequency (50Hz in Europe) and therefore does not take into account the power factor generated by any harmonics induced into the mains power supply by the load itself (referred to as the distortion power factor and produced by the harmonics produced by non-linear loads). The combination of the displacement power factor and the distortion power factor gives what is known to UPS systems experts as the true power factor. When correctly sizing a UPS, an understanding of this is critical.
Mitigation of total harmonics distortion. Harmonics issues need to be addressed at the design stage of any power continuity plan. Not least, because consumers are responsible for the harmonic levels introduced into their three-phase mains power supply.
A UPS can sometimes be fitted with a harmonic filter (post installation) but this can be a costly and inelegant solution as extensive internal wiring changes may be required. For a transformer-based UPS, using a 12-pulse rectifier in place of a 6-pulse set will reduce the levels of THDi (total harmonic distortion). Coupling this with a passive filter will provide further reduction to around 4%.
For a transformerless uninterruptible power supply, THDi levels of less than 4% can be achieved by installing an active harmonic filter. However, levels as low as 3% can now be achieved by some designs whose rectifiers are IGBT (Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor) based. This can remove the need for an additional active harmonic filter and simplify the UPS design process. Such designs are expected to become the norm: not only do they reduce initial costs, but they allow a smaller UPS system footprint whilst increasing input power factors.
Active harmonic filters reduce the impact of leading power factors. When designing a power continuity plan and UPS system, various methods can be applied to reduce the impact of leading power factors (where the current waveform leads the voltage waveform): ensuring that leading power factors represent a smaller percentage of the UPS load, installing power factor correction between the UPS and the load, increasing UPS size (and that of any standby generation capacity) and specifying a UPS with leading power factor capabilities.
A popular approach to reduce the effect of leading power factors on a UPS installation is to use an active harmonic filter with power factor correction on the UPS output. This presents the UPS with a more acceptable load, but results in higher capital and installation costs, lower efficiency and a greater footprint.
Familiar territory for UPS manufacturers. Although many aspects of harmonics must be considered when specifying a UPS system, reassurance can be gained from the fact that this is familiar territory for UPS manufacturers such as Riello UPS. End users and their professional advisers can certainly be confident that this specialised aspect of UPS application will be thoroughly addressed during the modern consultative sales and specification process.
About the Author
Robin Koffler is the General Manager for Riello UPS Ltd the UK subsidiary of Riello UPS (RPS S.p.A) a leading European manufacturer of Uninterruptible Power Supplies and a co-author of The Power Protection Guide(ISBN 978-0-9554428-0-3)- available from Amazon.com
Can a 110v variable transformer be used with 240v supply? ?
Can a 110v variable transformer be used with 240v supply?
I know the current rating would be affected but is there any other reason why not. I know just enough to be dangerous.
Wrong question. I don't know how you are planning to plug it in, but if you put the hot leg on one side of the 240 and the neutral on the other side of the 240, do me a favor and grab a video camera first. The real question is, do you have an insulated neutral return wire where you want to plug it in? Some 240 receptacles are no return. If you DO have an insulated neutral return (the wire would probably be white), you can either wire in a 110 receptacle (you will have one unused hot leg) or you can put a 3 prong or 4 prong cord on your transformer and cut off the unused prongs with a pair of dikes.
--EDIT--
bullrake is absolutely correct and basically said what I said (I think I said it better LOL). But, there is one wiring situation he didn't mention. You could potentially have 220 VAC with a ground. That would be a black and a white both showing 110 VAC versus ground and a bare copper. This is a grounded 220 VAC hookup, no return. You don't come across them very often anymore, but I have no clue what you are working with.
Smart way to save on cost, energy
BEGINNING this year, intelligent electric meters from Siemens will make buying electricity more transparent for Austrian customers and help reduce consumption. The company is installing 100,000 AMIS (automated metering and information system) meters in Upper Austria for the utility Energie AG.
Thanks for visiting!
This entry was written by
admin, posted on
December 25, 2007 at 11:08 pm, filed under
Vintage Computers and tagged
computer power supply transformer,
diy,
electronics,
pc power supply transformer,
power,
power supply transformer,
power supply transformer design,
supply,
switching power supply transformer,
transformer. Bookmark the
permalink. Follow any comments here with the
RSS feed for this post.
or leave a trackback:
Trackback URL.
