Created on 03.31

THD

5 Things You Need to Know About Harmonics ⚡📊

Harmonics might sound technical, but they directly impact your electrical system's efficiency and safety. Here’s what every facility or project manager should know:

1️⃣ What Are Harmonics? 🌀

Harmonics are voltage or current distortions caused by non-linear loads like LED drivers, VFDs, and computers. They create unwanted frequencies that ride on your pure 50/60Hz sine wave.

2️⃣ Why Do They Matter? ⚠️

Excessive harmonics lead to overheating in transformers and cables, nuisance tripping of breakers, and shorter equipment lifespan. In severe cases, they can even cause power factor penalties.

3️⃣ Common Sources in Lighting 💡

Modern LED drivers with poor power factor correction are major harmonic generators. Always look for drivers compliant with IEC 61000-3-2 to ensure low harmonic injection.

4️⃣ The Standard to Follow 📏

For commercial and industrial installations, THD (Total Harmonic Distortion) should typically be kept below 20% for general lighting, and below 10% for sensitive environments.

5️⃣ How to Mitigate 🔧

Choose high-quality drivers with built-in active PFC (Power Factor Correction). In retrofit projects, consider adding passive harmonic filters when using large quantities of LED fixtures.

Keep harmonics low, keep systems healthy ✅

Subscribe to our newsletter