April 24, 2015 – Schaffner’s new ECOSine 60HZ passive harmonic filters remove “harmful harmonics” before they can damage protected loads in electrical systems or equipment, the company said.

These filters are “ideal for use with non-linear loads such as motor drives (nominally 5 HP to 500 HP), equipment with front-end 6-pulse rectifiers, fans, pumps, HVAC equipment, DC fast chargers, and more”, Schaffner said. Passive harmonic filters can improve the productivity by eliminating harmonic-related downtime in varied industrial applications, the company added, such as manufacturing, water/wastewater treatment, factory automation, mission-critical processes, and more.

Designed to operate at 99% efficiency and installed at the typical three phase voltage of 480 VAC (+/- 10%), at 60 Hz (+/- 1 Hz), Schaffner said these products reduce harmonics, to meet IEEE-519 (2014). Filters are available in two model types (FN3412) <5% THDi and (FN3418) 7-10% THDi.  Standard products are panel mounted (to 250 HP) and open type (to 500 HP). Various NEMA rated enclosed filters are also available for facility installation.

Harmonics are generated by nonlinear components in electrical systems, which distort the sine wave. Increasing usage of power electronics causes a corresponding increase in voltage distortion, or harmonics, Schaffner explained. High harmonic distortion can cause failures or malfunctions of electrical devices. Harmonics also cause a temperature rise in the electrical network and in equipment, resulting in losses and shorter service life. Passive harmonic filters, when tuned to the offending harmonic order, correct the sine wave, before the harmonics can cause any damage to the electrical system or equipment.