Impact of T5 Fluorescent Lighting on

Total Harmonic Distortion for

Ethiopian industry Park Projects
Daniel Mekonnen (GSE/1065/2007)
AAiT, Ethiopia

Abstract
Under Ethiopian growth and transformation plan II (GTP II) (2015/16- 2019/20),
Ethiopian Industry Park Corporation is developing more than ten industry park
projects and Hawassa is the first industry park project inaugurated in June 2016.
The first phase of the park comprises of fifty sheds (factory buildings), and more
than twenty commercial and administration buildings. All the factory buildings
adopt T5 fluorescent high bay lighting for the benefit of high energy saving
opportunity. Though T5 has a very positive impact on energy saving, it is also a
source of harmonic due to the electronic ballast. This article assesses the lighting
design for Hawassa Industry Park Project as case study and analyzes the impact of
the harmonic distortion due to the electronic ballast of T5 fluorescent lighting
using DigSielnt PowerFactory Version 14.0 simulation software. For harmonic
analyses the grid bus at consumer side is taken as point of common coupling
(PCC) as per the recommendation of IEEE STD 519-2014 standard. The obtained
result is useful for design and decision of total harmonic distortion suppression
filter.

Keywords: T5 fluorescent lighting, electronic ballast, total harmonic

distortion, power quality, Hawassa Industry Park

I. Introduction

The T5 lamp is an increasingly popular development in fluorescent lighting. For

example in 1995, T5 fluorescent lamps entered the market in the United States
[4]. Recently lighting designers in Ethiopia have begun to specify T5 luminaries
for high end new construction. And for instance all the industry parks adopt T5

Page |1


high bay ligh

htings for general purposse lighting oof the factoryy for the bennefit high
nergy saving
en g opportunityy.

The
T "T" in lamp l nomen nclature represents the shape of thhe lamp-tubbular. The
nu umber follow
wing the "TT" usually rep present the ddiameter of the lamp inn eights of
an n inch (1 in
nch equals 2.4
2 centimetters). T5 lam mps have a diameter eqquals to 5
tiimes an eigh
hth of an inch
h, or 5/8" [4]].

Figure
F 1: Sam
mple Ballasst Diagram [5].

Power Qualitty describes the potentiaal of a speciffic electronicc device to ddistort the
siinusoidal sh
hape of the voltage waaveforms too change thhe phase rellationship
between the voltage
v and current
c [6].

Harmonic
H distortion is caused by nonlinear
n ddevices in thhe power system. A
nonlinear devvice is one in which th
he current iss not proporrtional to thhe applied
voltage [1].

Page |2


Most manufacturers claim that their T5 ballast has total harmonic distortion
(THD) of less than 15%. This small amount of THD avoids potential imbalances
in electrical lines that would damage wiring, transformer, or other equipments [4].

Both currents and voltage waves should be sinusodial. Any distortion of the
current wave shape distorts the voltage in the electrical distribution systems, this
reducing power factor. Distorted currents could also interfere with the operation
of electronic equipments (both nearby and remote); cause improper operation of
the power grid protectective devices (fuses, circuit breakers, and relays); interfere
with nearby communication cirscuit; and overheat motors, transformers,
capacitors, and neutral conductors [6].

A distorted waveform is made up of the main sinusodial wave (called the

fundametntal) and one or more harmonic waves. A harmonic wave has a
frequency that is an integer multiple of the fundametntals.

Harmonic distortion levels are described by the complete harmonic spectrum with
magnitudes and phase angles of each individual harmonic component. It is also
common to use a single quantity, the total harmonic distortion (THD), as a
measure of the effective value of harmonic distortion [1].

IEEE recommends that, the harmonic distortion caused by a single consumer

should be limited to an acceptable level at any point in the system; and the entire
system should be operated without substantial harmonic distortion anywhere in
the system [3].

The harmonic distortion limit recommended here establishes the maximum

allowable current distortion IEEE STD 519-2014 recommends the THD limit the
maximum allowable current distortion as per the following tables.

Page |3


Table 1 Voltage distortion limits [2].

Bus voltage V at PCC Individual Total harmonic
Harmonic (%) distortion THD (%)
V1.0 kV 5.0 8.0
1 kV V69 kV 3.0 5.0
69 kV V161 kV 1.5 2.5
161 kVV 1.0 1.5a
a
High-voltage systems can have up to 2.0% THD where the cause is an HVDC
terminal whose effects will have attenuated at points in the network where future
users may be connected.

Table 2 Current distortion limits for systems rated 120 V though 69 kV [2].
Maximum harmonic current distortion
in percent of IL
Individual harmonic order (odd harmonics) a, b
ISC/IL 3h11 11h17 17h23 23h35 35h50 TDD
c
20 4.0 2.0 1.5 0.6 0.3 5.0
2050 7.0 3.5 2.5 1.0 0.5 8.0
50100 10.0 4.5 4.0 1.5 0.7 12.0
1001000 12.0 5.5 5.0 2.0 1.0 15.0
1000 15.0 7.0 6.0 2.5 1.4 20.0

a
Even harmonics are limited to 25% of the odd harmonics limit above
b
Current distortion that result in a dc offer. e.g. half-wave converter, are not
allowed
c
All power generation equipments is limited to these values of current distortion,
regardless of actual ISC/IL.
Where
ISC = maximum short-circuit current at PCC
IL = maximum demand current (fundamental frequency component) at PCC
under normal load operating conditions.

II. HIP Lighting Simulation and THD Result

Page |4


For the analysis of the impact of T5 on THD, the following data is collected from
the as-built design for 11,000 m2 factory sheds.

Table 3 T5 lighting data collected for 11,000 m2 shed

S.No Description Specification Remark
Factory General Purpose
1 Type of Lighting
lighting
2 Fixture Type T5, High Bay Lighting
Harmonic
3 Ballast Type Electronic Ballast
Source
Lamp per ballast per
4 4x54 Wattt
fixture
5 Factory Type 11,000 m2 shed
Number of Lighting
6 4
Board
Average Lighting fixture
7 72
per board
8 Total Lighting Wattage =4*72*4*54=62.21 kW

9 Electronic Ballast , THD 15%

Electronic Ballast, Power
10 0.9
factor
11 Transformer Capacity 1600KVA

12 Capacitor Bank size 364kVA

Current THD is a measure of the amount of distortion in a current's wave shapes:

the higher the THD value, the greater the distortion. American National Standards
Institute (ANSI) Standard C82.11 set a limit of 32% current harmonic factor
for electronic ballast systems [6].

Page |5


Where
I1 = fundamental current
I2 = current in second harmonic
I3 = current in third harmonic
I4 = current in fourth harmonic
etc.
Harmonics that odd tripple multiples of the fundamentals frequency (3rd, 9th, 15th,
21th, .) have the greatest potenstial impact on the electrical systems beacouse
this currents flows on the neautral conductor and might overload it. ANSI C82.11
also set limits for the odd triple multiples and other harmonics [6].

2.1 Simulation Single line diagram (SLD)

The following assumtion is taken for the simulation of the SLD:

The lighting circuit is lumped to one 3phase load for ease simulation
All the rest load are treated as linear load to see the impact of only the
LTG
The general & task T5 LED lighting is accounted for about 25 % of the
factory load
The linear load is assumed at 80 % loading
The existing capacitor bank included in the simulation
Case shed are taken 11000m2
Transformer size is 1600kva
Capacitor bank szie 364kvar
Generator is disconnected in the simulation
We have the mv & lv bus bar system
EEU demarcation poinht is at transformet lv side
The THD is simulated on digsilent software
Shunt filter is simulated at lv bus bar side

Page |6


Figure 2:
2 Simulated Siingle Line diagram for typicall 11,000m2 sheed /factory

Page |7


2.2 Sim
mulation Result : Optimal Pow
wer Flow

The major result found is

i : Factory Fed
d from EEU Tran
nsformer, 1.09M
MW, @.02kA, GGENERAL LOA AD (LINEAR
LOAD) , 0.8MW, @ 1.1 15kA, Lighting Load (LTG), 0.29MW,
0 @0.46
6kA,Capacitor B
Bank, -0.37 MV
VAR, @0.53kA,,
Shunt Paassive Filter (SF
F2), 0.00MW

Page |8


2.3 Sim
mulation Result : L-L-L-G Fau
ult Current Ressult

Page |9


Where:

- Initial short circuit current (Ik)

- Short circuit capacity (Sk)
- Equivalent voltage source at the fault location

c Un
U"
3
- The first amplitude of the short-circuit current (ip) and
- the surge factor ()

i p 2 I k"
1.02 0.98 e 3 R / X

The data found are:

HV Bus, 0.04kA
LV Bus, 3.06kA
Isc at LV BB, 3.06kA
IL at LV BB, (0.53+0.46+1.15=2.14kA
Isc/IL , Ratio =3.06/2.14kA=1.43

This implies, the current Harmonic limit fall in the 1st row of the standard as
the ratio is less than 20.

P a g e | 10


2.4 Simulation Result : Harmonic Load Flow Results

The following harmonics are taken three scenarios:

i. 20 % harmonic effect for each harmonics when CB is ON state
ii. 20 % harmonic effect for each harmonics when CB is OFF state
iii. EL ballast most probable harmonic spectrum (h2=4%, h3=20%, h4=1%,
h5: 10% h6=1%) When CB is OFF state
iv. EL ballast most probable harmonic spectrum (h2=4%, h3=20%, h4=1%,
h5: 10% h6=1%) When CB is ON state

P a g e | 11


SCENA
ARIO-I : 20 % harmonic
h effecct for each harm
monics when CB
C is ON state

ENARIO-I

h2
2 h3 h4 h5 h6

h7 h8 h9 h10 h11

P a g e | 12


SCENA
ARIO-I : 20 % harmonic
h effecct for each harm
monics when CB
C is ON state .

h1
12 h13 h14 h15 h16

h17
h h18
h h19 h20 h20

P a g e | 13


SCENA
ARIO-II : 20 % harmonic effect for each harrmonics when CB
C is OFF statte

h2 h3
h h4
4 h5 h6

h7 h8 h9
9 h10 h11

P a g e | 14


SCENA
ARIO-II : 20 % harmonic effect for each harrmonics when CB is OFF statte

h12 h13 h14 h15

h16 h17 h18

h19

P a g e | 15


SCENA
ARIO-III : (h2=
=4%, h3=20%, h4=1%, h5: 10
0% h6=1%) Wh hen CB is OFF
F state
Harmon
nic Load Flow: TDD 9.01 % and
a 9.29 % wh hich is exceed th
he limit

P a g e | 16


SCENAARIO-III : (h2=
=4%, h3=20%, h4=1%, h5: 10
0% h6=1%) Wh
hen CB is OFF
F state
Wave Forms

P a g e | 17


SCENAARIO-IV : (h2=4%, h3=20%, h4=1%,

h h5: 10
0% h6=1%) Wh
hen CB is ON s tate
TDD ab
bout 3.88 % and
d 3.97 %

P a g e | 18


III. Results
SCENARIO I: The 10th & 11th Harmonic Has As More Impact
SCENARIO II: The 10th & 11th Harmonic Has As More Impact, But
Less Impact Compared To Above Case
SCENARIO III: The THD at both BB is about 9%, whereas the limit
TDD is just 5% only. It means it needs to be suppressed (mainly the 3rd
harmonic).
SCENARIO IV: The THD at both BB is about is less than 5%. Within
the limit range, implies that the capacitor banks absorb the harmonics at
expense of overheating the capacitor Bank.

P a g e | 19


IV. Conclusion

While choosing the EB for our T5 lighting we need to observe the following:
We need to see the magnitude of each harmonic of the EB and see
analyze the impact it has on the THD.
It is highly recommended to include passive filter for the 3rd
harmonic in as per most EB harmonic spectrum data
Though most manufacturer claim that the EB THD is less than 10 %
in comply with

When specifying lighting we should consider at least the following six criteria
when specifying high frequency (20~60kz) electronic ballast for linear
fluorescent lamps.
1. Starting method
2. Ballast factor
3. Power factor & Total harmonic distortion
4. Lamp-ballast compatibility
5. Inrush current
6. Ballast reliability

P a g e | 20


V. Reference
[1] Roger C. Dugan, Electric Power System Quality, Second Edition, The
McGraw-Hill Companies, 2004
[2] Dr John Cheng, CEng, CEM, CEA, CMVP, IEEE Standard 519-2014,
Compliances, Updates, Solutions and Case Studies, Confidential Property of
Schneider Electric
[3] The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc., 345 East 47th
Street, New York, NY 1007 USA, IEEE SM 519-1992 (Revision of IEEE SM
519-1981), April 12, 1993.
[4] National Lighting Information Program (NLPP), Lighting Answers,
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY 12180 USA, 1995-2007, Volume
6 Issue 1
[5] Panasonic, Universal Lighting Technologies, Ballast Navigator
[6] National Lighting Information Program (NLPP), Specifier Reports, Electronic
Ballast, Volume 8 Number 1, May 2000
[7] HARMONICS - Understanding the Facts, research article by Richard P.
Bingham
[8] National Lighting Information Program (NLPP), Guide to specifying High
Frequency electronic ballast
[9]

P a g e | 21