The Harmonic Filter

Harmonic Filters correct poor power factor, while avoiding potential dangerous resonance points, particularly associated with the 5th and 7th harmonic. They also can help to elimiate or reduce power factor penalties levied by the local utility.

Fixed Passive Harmonic Filters
Cutler-Hammer Fixed Harmonic Filter Banks are applicable when accurate power factor correction is required in an environment where considerable harmonic distortion exists. The capacitor cells are connected with a tuning reactor so that dangerous resonance conditions are avoided. Fixed capacitor banks are tuned to the 4.7th harmonic and will reduce dangerous levels of the 5th harmonic, helping your facility meet the IEEE 519 standard.

• UL Listed / CSA listed
• Reduces harmonics and corrects and maintains desired power factor
• Robust design
• Ideal for 6 pulse drive environments
• Standard ratings available 150-600 kvar, up to 600 VAC; other ratings available

Switched Passive Harmonic Filters
Cutler-Hammer Switched Harmonic Filter Banks are applicable when accurate power factor correction is required in an environment where considerable harmonic distortion exists. The capacitor cells are connected with a tuning reactor so that dangerous resonance conditions are avoided. As loads change throughout the facility, the solid state controller will add or subtract capacitance from the system to maintain a consistent level of desired power factor. Switched capacitor banks are tuned to the 4.7th harmonic and will reduce dangerous levels of the 5th harmonic, helping your facility meet the IEEE 519 standard.

• UL Listed / CSA listed
• Reduces harmonics and corrects and maintains desired power factor
• Robust design
• Ideal for 6 pulse drive environments
• Standard ratings available 150-600 kvar, up to 600 VAC; other ratings available

Active Harmonic Filters
Eaton’s Cutler-Hammer business now offers Active Harmonic Filters to provide active harmonic control. The Active Harmonic Filter will monitor the distorted electrical signal, determine the frequency and magnitude of the harmonic content, and then cancel those harmonics with the dynamic injection of opposing current. Active harmonic control provides the benefit of traditional passive filters with simpler engineering requirements, easier and less expensive installation, comprehensive control, and assured compliance with the IEEE 519-1992 standard.

Active Harmonic Filter Benefits:

• Decreases excess heating of electrical cable switchgear and transformers.
• Can reduce downtime caused by nuisance thermal tripping of protective devices.
• Compensates each phase independently.
• Costly harmonic studies are minimized.
• Increases network reliability and reduces operating costs.
• Power factor correction capacitors can be left in place, as the active filter stabilizes the system by providing a perfect source for the load.
• Harmonic Compensation 2-50th Harmonic
• Capacity can be added as needed.

Cutler-Hammer Active Harmonic Filters are available in 50, 100 and 300-amp sizes, for up to 600V, 3-phase, 50/60Hz systems. In addition to harmonics cancellation, they also provide dynamic correction for other power quality events:

• Resonance Prevention.
• Power Factor Correction.
• Dynamic VAR Compensation.

The Active Harmonic Filter is available as an independent structure, ideal for a retrofit, or as an integral component in the Cutler-Hammer Clean Control Center MCC, improving electrical network reliability, reducing operating costs and increasing equipment uptime.