by Brianna Crandall — February 11, 2015—Schaffner EMC recently introduced a harmonic filter that provides improved power quality through harmonic compensation in real time for most industrial and commercial environments, particularly manufacturing environments with nonlinear loads, as well as heating/ventilation/air-conditioning (HVAC) equipment, data centers and banking/heavy computing, and similar equipment and facilities.
Harmonics
As Schaffner explains it, more and more energy-efficient electricity-consuming equipment is being used in industrial and commercial applications, including variable speed drives for motor control, uninterruptible power supplies (UPS), and inverters. These modern technologies contribute significantly to the reduction of electrical energy consumption; however, as an unwanted byproduct of their operation they can negatively affect the power quality.
Harmonics are generated by nonlinear components in electrical systems that distort the sine wave, continues Schaffner. When harmonics are present they can manifest themselves with short-term and long-term consequences. High harmonic distortion can cause failures or malfunctions of electrical devices. Harmonics also cause a temperature rise in the electrical network and in equipment, resulting in losses and shorter service life.
ECOsine Active harmonic filters deliver a reliable remedy. They provide the system with an opposing corrective current immediately, compensating harmonics, phase shift, and load-unbalance at the same time. They dynamically adapt to changing grid and load situations, providing an optimum compensation performance at all times.
ECOSine Active 30/50/100Amp
An active harmonic filter like the new ECOSine Active 30/50/100A cancels and injects current to correct the sine wave before the harmonics can cause any damage to the electrical system or equipment. The compact three-wire harmonic filter features a capacity of 100A and operates at 480VAC (+/- 10%).
This proven equipment uses digital technology to monitor and dynamically correct harmonics up to the 50th order in less than 300s, eliminating disturbances before they can cause problems. The ECOSine Active Filter compensates for individual disturbance patterns in a targeted manner and automatically adapts to changing network loads.
Open type or cabinet options are offered in NEMA 1, NEMA 3R and other protection ratings. Up to five units can be installed in parallel to attain optimal results. Weighing just 104 pounds, (50A) and with a noise rating of 65 dBA (at 1 meter), the proven ECOSine Active 30/50/100A Filters are equally suited for new installations and retrofits, says the company.
Schaffner EMC, with U.S. headquarters in Edison, New Jersey, is part of The Schaffner Group, a worldwide provider of electro-magnetic compatibility (EMC), power quality (PQ) and engineered transformers. From a global innovation and development center in Luterbach, Switzerland, the company develops leading-edge products that are manufactured in facilities worldwide. Schaffner’s PQ product line includes active and passive harmonic filters, along with sine wave filters, which allow the efficient and reliable operation of electrical and electronic equipment and systems.