Methodology for harmonic distortion level determination

In order to make an equitable application of bonuses or extra charges due to harmonic distortion, it is necessary to separate between harmonics exported by nonlinear loads used by costumers, and imported ones due to distortion at Point of Common Coupling (PCC) property of the electric utility. On this paper, a new methodology is presented to assign each costumer his own distortion. Same sampling instrumentation applied in charging electrical bills -with new software- registers total exported harmonic current, making possible determination of corrected non-sinusoidal apparent power and equivalent power factor during an invoicing period. Some effects of nonlinear loads on grids are determined and analyzed, and experiments done on compact fluorescent lamps are shown and described.The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Ministry of Science and Technology of Spain through the Project no. CTM2006-0031