The effects of reactive power and harmonics on energy efficiency and cable life

Electrical energy is among the most important basic necessities both in industry and daily life. Electricity energy must be presented to consumers in good quality, uniterrupted and relevant cost. Meeting the needs on the desired standarts, occurs some problems. Reactive power and harmonics are the most significant of these problems. In this study, the problems caused by reactive power and harmonics in energy quality and electrical systems are investigated. Reactive power compensation which is established to be able to compensate reactive power from the system, have been researched and explained the design, benefits and problems are explaned. In today's conditions, by examining compensation remote monitoring systems, have been shown the situations that will arise in usage have been shown. Harmonics in electrical systems, their causes are researched and prevention methods are investigated. Information about harmonic filter design is given and its usage in combination with compensation systems is explained. In this regard, sampling of essential values for filter design in harmonic filter compensation systems has been done and the problems, that will occur when using harmonic filter with the compensation system, the conditions to take into considerations, and the points to benefits are explained. In this study, the effects of conductors on the currents generated under linear loads and nonlinear loads for the cables with different conductor cross sections are investigated and the effects of harmonics on the conductor life are investigated by experimental study and computer aided mathematical analysis is performed.