TheAustralian Standard toSpecify NetworkHarmonics Limits: AS2279-1979
Theodore L. Baitch · 1982
The new Standard AS 2279-1979 (Parts 1 and2 171) recently published bytheStandards Association ofAustralia (SAA), setting limits onthepermissible amountofnetwork harmonics (inthe audible frequency range) suchasisgenerated typically byelectronic variable speeddrives, light dimmers, etc.usedeither inadomestic situation (household appliances, light dimmers, etc.) orinindustry (variable speeddrives, battery chargers, etc.) isreviewed. These limits arecompared withthose inothercountries, andthebackground andbasicthoughts foritsvarious provisions areprovided. Also,a guidefortheStandards application tothebenefit ofthemainparties concerned, i.e., manufacturers, users,andsupplyauthorities is presented. Otherexisting networkharmonics standards arealso mentioned. I.GENERAL PROLIFERATION ofelectronic control ofequipment by semiconductor devices (SCR's andthyristors) generates harmonics intheelectricity supply network. Theseharmon- icsof50(60)Hz rangefromaudible frequencies hitothe radio frequencies of1MHzandbeyond andmayaffect un- favorably theoperation ofotherelectrical orelectronic equipment connected tothesameelectricity supply network. Network pollution byharmonics hasnowbeenaddedto ecological, biological, atmospheric, etc.pollution, andaneed arises tolimit harmonic currents andvoltages indistribution networks.