Case Study
IP54 Harmonic Filter
Description
A Winery based in the Riverina District of Griffith NSW Australia were having issues with high harmonic distortion being produced by large variable speed drives that were installed to run the main irrigation pumps of the farm.
The local energy authority had some complaints from customers that were on the same electrical network. The harmonic distortion in their electrical system was causing voltage fluctuations, tripping circuit breakers, and damaging sensitive equipment. Additionally, the Winery power bills were increasing due to the reactive power consumption, which was adding to the cost.
Implementation
The Winery decided to install an active harmonic filter to reduce harmonic distortion and improve power quality. The challenge was the location where the filters were to be installed being a farm shed where the environment is dusty, wet and sometimes high ambient temperature. After analysing the Winery electrical system, the electrical engineers recommended a Circutor IP54-rated active harmonic filter, which would provide sufficient protection against dust, water ingress and high temperatures with an operating ambient up to 50°C in the farm shed.
The installation process of the IP54 active harmonic filter involved a thorough assessment of the electrical system via a power quality audit by iOpen Pty Ltd and the placement of the filter near the equipment that was creating harmonics. The filter was integrated into the company’s power distribution system and programmed to detect and cancel out harmonics.
Results
After the installation, the Energy Authority noticed a significant improvement in the power quality, and the voltage fluctuations and tripping circuit breakers reduced. The Winery also noticed a decrease in the reactive power consumption, which resulted in lower power bills. The IP54 active harmonic filter also provided the benefit of protecting sensitive equipment from damage due to harmonic distortion.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the installation of an IP54 active harmonic filter was a wise decision for the Winery, as it provided a cost-effective solution to mitigate harmonic distortion and improve their power quality. The filter’s ability to protect sensitive equipment and reduce maintenance cost also added to the benefits of the system.
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