Electrical grounding is
integrated into the entire utility system and provides
important attributes such as worker safety, system
protection, lightning protection and energy savings.
Another aspect of the United States’ electrical system
is the effect of harmonic distortion on the distribution
system. As our society uses more and more electricity,
some of the electrical devices we use in our daily
lives, like computers, fluorescent lighting, etc.,
produce negative effects through the reflection of the
Triplen (3rd, 9th, 15th, etc.) harmonic frequencies of
the fundamental 60Hz frequency into the system. Triplens
are added to the neutral conductor causing overloads and
overheating, which reduce energy efficiency. Harmonic
frequencies significantly increase the unsolicited
component of the total load.
Triplen harmonics are reflected directly onto the
neutral, unlike other harmonics which may or may not
find their way onto the neutral. In many cases, the
total load is not recognized because watt hour meters
measures only the 60Hz portion of the load and not the
distorted load of other frequencies. These loads of
other frequencies can only be measured with an RMS
Volt-amp meter.
When the impedance to the current flow of electricity is
reduced, less generation is required. Any reduction in I2Z
(I= amps, Z= impedance) reduces the generation and thus
less fuel is consumed. For example, a 10% reduction in
opposition of the current flow (line loss) (I2Z)
results in 21% less generation. A 20% reduction in line
loss (I2Z) results in a 44% less generation
and still maintains the capacity to serve the billable
load –watts.
In our opinion, the effects of harmonic distortion
(unsolicited load) can be minimized by replacing the
soil immediately adjacent to the ground rod or ground
wire with a more conductive material like POLY-GROUND®
(increased surface area) from the load back to the power
transformer. The power transformer is often an
electrically connected Delta –Y connection. The harmonic
currents will then be directed into the earth’s crust at
more points in the circuit than just the substation
ground mat.
CIRCUIT SELECTION
In order to verify
the possible result of the diminishing of the total
harmonic distortion (unsolicited load), it is suggested
a circuit be selected with known high harmonic
distortion problems. This can be verified by the
standard recording watt meter and a recording RMS
volt-ampere meter connected to the circuit in
approximately the same place on the selected circuit. If
the soil resistivity is high, there may be a need for
more POLY-GROUND® grounds on the circuit.
There will be energy savings on any circuit selected and
on some circuits the savings will be in excess of 30%.
The intent is to discover how much of the distorted
currents can be directed into the earth’s crust’s
infinite reservoir of electrons by increasing the
surface area of this connection.
CONCLUSION
With superior grounding, the effects of
harmonic currents will be directed into the Earth’s
crust and the neutral conductor will remain neutral. The
reduced currents in the line will not react to cause
excessive line losses. This reduction in line losses and
transformer losses will cut the total losses
substantially and thus require less generated power
resulting in energy savings.
