A frequency-domain analysis of varistor current under distorted supply voltage

Abstract: In this paper, the impact of supply voltage harmonics on the third harmonic current-based condition assessment of varistor is experimentally verified. Therefore, time-domain current and voltage waveforms, measured from ten identical varistor samples, are decomposed in frequency-domain. The flattop window of the FFT technique is used to determine the rms values and subsequently the third harmonic amplitude of the varistor current, before and after injection of harmonics. The harmonic-generating load consists of a triac-based ac voltage controller driving a resistive load unit at fixed firing angle of 10 degrees. All varistor devices used in this work were subjected to rated ac operating voltage. However, the results obtained indicated that the operation of a harmonic source connected across the varistor arrestor has the effect of increasing the magnitude of the third harmonic component of the varistor current