<i>In-Situ</i> Domestic Load Harmonic Detection and Reduction Based on GLRM Algorithm for Optimum Filter Excerpt

Abstract

Power Quality measures the reliable operation between the system and to the connected loads of same system. A poor power quality causes physical damage to the equipment and also results in lower productivity with increase in energy costs. Power disturbances range from micro seconds to hours and the prolonged disturbances in hours would damage the equipments. The power quality decreases due to growth of nonlinear loads in domestic appliances, such as home Uninterrupted Power Supplies (UPS), Induction stove, Television etc. Nowadays Domestic loads are controlled or powered with power electronic devices. The power electronic devices with Direct Current (DC) components generate high frequency signal for DC-Alternating Current (AC) conversion. The conversion introduces multiple frequencies in the AC power supply. The multiple frequencies in AC power supply are called as harmonics. The harmonics in AC supply affects the lifetime of home appliances, consumes more electric current, affects the power factor, transformer efficiency, and other electricity supply systems. Till now, to avoid harmonics, the filters are erected only in industrial loads or in the substations. In this paper a novel method to detect and control harmonics in domestic appliances is proposed. Harmonic control with various filters in the filter bank, based on detection of harmonic voltage let out from the domestic appliances for power saving. To select the appropriate filter to improve power quality, we apply a novel Genetic Algorithm based Linear Regression Method (GLRM) algorithm for optimum Filter Selection. From the results we were able to reduce the total harmonic distortion level to 3.68%.The current consumption of each household appliance is reduced considerably and finally the electricity bill is reduced to 15% and overall system efficiency improves to 85%.