672 IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON INDUSTRY APPLICATIONS, VOL. IA-9, NO.
6, NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 1973
Influence of Third Harmonic Circulating
Currents in Selecting Neutral Grounding
evices
LOUIE J. POWELL, JR.,
Abstract-It has long been recognized that third harmonic currents
can and often do appear in the neutral of industrial generators. This
paper will review the causes of such currents and the effects these
currents lhave in the power system. The common methods of neu-
tral grounding will be discussed with regard to circulating harmonic
currents.
CAUSE OF HARMONIC CURRENTS
I N BUILDING synchronous generators it is necessary to
distribute the rotor winding in slots around the rotor. The
effect of the resulting unevenly distributed rotor coil is to
create a time-varying flux pattern in the operating generator
which is not purely sinusoidal in character. This flux pattern
can be resolved into a Fourier series which contains sinusoidal
terms of the fundamental and all odd-order (3, 5, 7, 9, etc.)
harmonic frequencies. Each of these sinusoidal flux compo-
nents gives rise to a voltage, at its frequency, in the stator of
the machine. Some of the harmonic frequency voltages can
cause nuisance circulating currents.
The magnitude of harmonic voltage is a function of generator
loading as well as machine design. For example, a round rotor
machine may produce two to five percent third harmonic
voltage (in percent of rated line-to-neutral voltage) at no load,
and four to ten percent at full load. The harmonic content of
salient pole machines will, in general, be greater than that of
round rotor generators. For any specific machine, an estimate
of the harmonic voltage can be obtained from the manufac-
turer of the generator.
In general, only the third harmonic voltage can cause appre-
ciable circulating currents in the neutral of the power system.
There are several reasons for this. Equal third harmonic
voltages exist in each of the three phases. While the funda-
mental frequency voltages in the three phases are displaced
120 electrical degrees in time-phase, the third harmonic volt-
ages are displaced 3 X 120 = 360 electrical degrees (see Fig. 1).
Thus the three third harmonic phase voltages are in phase
with each other and their effect is felt only in the zero
sequence circuit where it appears in the form of a circulating
current at the third harmonic frequency. The magnitude of
this current is determined by the third harmonic driving voltage
and the third harmonic impedence of the zero sequence circuit.
Paper TOD-73-63, approved by the Pulp and Paper Industry Com-
mittee of the IEEE Industry Applications Society for presentation at
the Pulp and Paper Industry Technical Conference, Jacksonville, Fla.,
May 1-4, 1973. Manuscript released for publication August 6, 1973.
The author is with The General Electric Company, Schenectady, N.Y.
12345.
MEMBER, lI EE
3rd Harmonic
of Phase (or 2 or 3)
Fig. 1. Fundamental and third harmonic frequency voltage wave-
forms on three-phase system. Note that phase one voltage third
harmonic is in time-phase with both the phase two and phase three
harmonic wave.
The effect of the fifth harmonic voltage in contrast, appears
in the negative sequence circuit, and of the seventh harmonic
voltage, in the positive sequence circuit; both consist of three
phase-to-neutral components equal in magnitude but displaced
120 electrical degrees apart on the fundamental scale. Thus
they form a balanced set of voltage phasors; any currents these
voltages would drive in a balanced system would add vector-
ially to zero at the generator neutral. Also, the magnitude of
the higher order (9, 15, etc.) harmonic voltages in the zero
sequence circuit is usually small. Moreover, since inductive
reactance is proportional to frequency, the magnitude of the
zero sequence impedances in the system and in the neutral
circuit at the higher harmonic frequencies is relatively great.
These effects combined mean that the circulating currents
driven by higher order harmonic voltages within the machine
itself can usually be neglected.
This is not to say that the existence of the fifth, seventh, or
higher order harmonic currents should be ignored. The
presence of higher order harmonic currents may reduce the
fundamental frequency thermal load capability of a generator
and produce difficulties with internal heating, including rotor
heating problems which are not significantly present with
balanced third harmonic currents alone. Concern for the
higher order harmonics usually comes about when the mill
power system voltage waveform is distorted by the presence of
harmonic-generating loads such as phase-controlled rectifiers.
Whenever applications ofthis sort are contemplated, the manu-
facturer of the machine should be consulted.
POWELL: THIRD HARMONIC CIRCULATING CURRENTS 673

in the neutral device for a single phase to ground fault at the

generator stator terminals. Thus, the required neutral device
current rating is determined by the system line-to-neutral
voltage and the impedances of the machine and the grounding
device. The time rating is the time the device can thermally
withstand a current equal to the short-time current rating and
is related to the permissible temperature rise above some
specified starting temperature.
The concern arises that the neutral grounding device may or
may not have an adequate continuous current rating. A
Fig. 2. Circulation of third harmonic current through generator stator, continuous current rating means that the device can withstand
neutral, and some other grounded system device. the temperature rise associated with its short-time rating,
starting from a temperature elevated above the ambient tem-
perature by a preexistent continuous current. If the third har-
There is one condition that must be met if the third har- monic circulating current in a particular application exceeds
monic machine stator voltage is to drive a third harmonic the continuous third harmonic current rating of the grounding
current of any appreciable magnitude in the neutral: there device, the initial operating temperature of the device will be
must be a closed zero sequence path in which the third har- greater than anticipated in the short-time rating. As a result,
monic current can circulate. This is illustrated in Fig. 2. The the short-time rating would have to be reduced, either in
closed path, shown dotted in Fig. 2, can be any device which current magnitude or in time, to keep the overall temperature
is grounded; most commonly it is a transformer or another rise within the limits inherent in the grounding device.
generator. IEEE Standard 32 [11, which is the industry standard for
EFFECTS OF THIRD HARMONIC CURRENT rating neutral devices, grants an implicit continuous current
capability to most neutral devices which is a percentage of the
Fig. 2 shows that the third harmonic current in the zero short-time thermal current rating. This implicit continuous
sequence circuit circulates through the generator stator, the current rating is in addition to the short-time current rating.
neutral grounding device on the generator, and some other In addition, the standard restricts the third harmonic compo-
grounded system device. This observation suggests the effects nent of the continuous current to 15 percent of the implicit
of the third harmonic circulating current that must be continuous current rating. Thus, the following continuous
considered. third harmonic current capabilities are obtained, in percent of
The presence of a third harmonic current in the stator of a the rated short-time thermal current rating, for reactors and
generator can limit the fundamental frequency load current transfornwrs for which no specific continuous current rating
thermal capability of the stator winding. The effective heating is stated:
(rms) current in the stator is calculated as
10-s rating - 0.45 percent
Ieff = <II + I3 + * +I2k
- -
(1) 1-min rating - 1.05 percent
where Ik is the rms value of the harmonic currents of order 10-min rating - 4.5 percent.
k= 1, 3, 5, 7,*, etc. Thus, if a generator is operating at
rated full load and rated voltage, and the kth order harmonic If the harmonic current predicted for a proposed reactor or
current is 0.30 per unit, the effective magnitude of stator transformer application exceeds the percentages listed above
current would be the situation is, by definition of the Standard, an unusual
service condition which must be brought to the attention of
12 0.32 1.044
+ = the manufacturer of the neutral device.
However, IEEE Standard 32 does not grant an implicit
and the machine would appear to be operating at 4.4-percent continuous current capability in addition to the short-time
overload. Saying it another way, a 30-percent harmonic current rating of neutral resistors. Instead, the Standard requires that
in the stator will reduce the usable generator thermal capability a resistor be capable of sustaining either the hot-spot tempera-
to approximately 96 percent of its rating. ture rise associated with its short-time rating, or a smaller hot-
It should be apparent also that load current limitation can spot temperature rise due to a continuous current, but not
occur in other system elements through which harmonic cur- both. Unless they are specifically advised to the contrary
rents flow. It will be shown later that transformers are resistor manufacturers usually assume that no continuous cur-
particularly susceptible to this kind of limitation. rent will exist and design their resistors to meet this Standard.
Another concern is that the presence of the third harmonic Therefore, it is important to be able to estimate the magnitude
current in the neutral grounding device can necessitate the of harmonic current that will continuously exist in a neutral
derating of that device. A generator neutral grounding device resistor so that the resistor manufacturer will have sufficient
is given a short-time rating consisting of a current magnitude data to design the correct resistor for the application.
in amperes and a definite time in seconds or minutes. The The third concern is that, if the third harmonic current cir-
current magnitude is the maximum current that is permissible culating in the power system neutral is large enough, it may
674 IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON INDUST'RY APPLICA'. IONS, NOVEMBER/DECLEMBER 1973

TABLE I
COMPARISON OF NEUTRAL GROUNDING METHODS
System Grounding Figure Fault Current Characteristics Magnitude of Expected Comments
Method of Grounding Method Third Haromics Currents

Individual Resistance 3 (a) Relatively low magnitude of Negligible SmalL A Sndll COnItillUOUS
Grounding of each ground fault current is ample current will exist in
Source for selective relaying yet the neutral resistors.
reduces fault point damage.

Individual Reactance 4 (a) Required when phase-to-neutral
Grounding of each connected single-phase loading
Generator is needed. Reactor must be
sized to limit ground fault
current from the generator
to no greater than the three
phase fault current available
from the generator.
Appreciable May .equire derdtiniq of
generators and traris-
formers, special reactor
ratings, and desensitized
ground overcurrent
relays.

Solid Grounding of 5(a) Ground fault magnitude may be Appreciable y require deratinig Of
Generators significantly greater than generators and trans-
three phase fault magnitude. formers and desensitized
ground overcurrent
relays. Should be
avoided.

Group Resistance 6(a) Fault current to single Appreciable May require desensitizinig
Grounding of phase to ground faults the otf ground relays and
Generators through same or less than in derating of generators.
Common Neutral individual resistance Requires means to dis-
Resistors. grounded system. conniiect out-of-service
generators from neutral
bus. Should be avoided.

Group Resistance Fault current to single Negligibly Snmall A smnall continuous currerit
Grounding of phase to ground faults the will exist in the neutraI.
Generators through same or less than in resistors.
Switched Neutral individual resistance
Resistor grounded system.

cause current-responsive ground fault protective relays to TABLE 11

SYSTEM CONSTANTS ASSUMED FOR EXAMPLES
operate in the absence of actual fault conditions. Thus, the
presence of excessive third harmonic circulating currents may Generators (Two identical machines)
mean that the system ground relays will have to be desensi- 20.65 MVA, 0.8 pf, 60 Hz, 13.8 kV, 3600 rpm
rated stator current = 865 amperes
tized to avoid false tripping. X'dv - 0.17
Therefore, since third harmonic circulating currents encroach X"dv
Xov
=

=
0.11
0.065
on generator thermal capabilities and the continuous current E,3 = 0.05 at rno load
Eo3 = 0.10 at full load
ratings of neutral grounding device, and since their presence
can lead to false relay operations or necessitate desensitizing
essential protective equipment, it is important to recognize 20 MVA self-cooled rating
X1 = 6.5%
ways in which the magnitude of such currents can be con- X0 = 5.5%
trolled. The remainder of this paper will deal with that subject.
20 ampere, 10 second, for use in
LIMITING THIRD HARMONIC NEUTRAL CURRENTS a system rated 13.8 kV line-to-line

It should be recalled that third harmonic circulating current

is driven by the third harmonic voltage inherent in the genera-
tor, and that it will circulate in, and be limited by the third generator or power transformer neutral and earth [Fig. 3 (a)] .

harmonic impedance of the power system zero sequence net-
work. The only system components that can be conveniently
manipulated to obtain a desired magnitude of zero sequence
impedance are the neutral grounding devices. Thus, the
method employed to ground the power system neutral is the
key to controlling the magnitude of third harmonic current.
Several grounding techniques are in common use in power
systems; these will be discussed separately. Table I summarizes
the conclusions reached for each grounding method.
Low-Resistance Grounding
The most common approach to medium-voltage system
grounding is to connect a resistor between each wye-connected
Typically, resistors will be selected to limit the maximum
single-phase-to-ground fault to 400 to 2000 A. Low-resistance
grounding offers ample fault current for selective relaying with
a minimum risk of damage to motors or generators with inter-
nal faults.
The third harmonic zero sequjence circuit for the simple
system of Fig. 3(a) is shown in Fig. 3(b). Note that the zero
sequence transformer and generator fundamental frequency
reactances must be multiplied by three to account for their
frequency dependence. Note also that the neutral resistances
must be muiltiplied by three to convert to zero sequence
quantities because they are connected in the system neutral.
In Fig. 3(b) two interesting facts can be observed.
POWELL: THIRD HARMONIC CIRCULATING CURRENTS 675

TABLE III
CALCULATED THIRD HARMONIC CURRENTS IN TYPICAL INDUSTRIAL
POWER SYSTEM ARRANGEMENTS
System Grounding Figure Both Generators at Full Load One Generator Fully Loaded - One Unloaded (Note 3)
Arrangement Generators Transformer Loaded Generator Unloaded Generator Transformer
(Note 1) Stator Neutral Phase Neutral Stator Neutral Stator Neutral Phase Neutral
Current Current Current Current Current Current Current Current Current Current
Individual resistance 3(a) 4.42A 13.26A 8.84A 26.52A 11.2A 33.6A 8.81A 26.43A 2.21A 6.63A
grounding of each
source
Individual reactance 4(a) 129A 387A 258A 774A 229A 687A 165A 495A 64.5A 193.5A
grounding of each
generator (Note 2)
Solid grounding of 5(a) 172.5A 517.5A 345A 1035A 362A 1086A 282A 846A 79.6A 238.8A
generators
Group resistance 6(a) 3.315A 19.95A 6.65A 19.95A 323A 969A 322A 965A 1.65A 4.95A
grounding of
generators through
common resistor
Group resistance 7 6.64A 19.2A 6.64A 19.2A 6.64A 19.2A 0 0 6.64A 19.2A
grounding of
generators through
switched resistor

Notes on Table III

1) Refer to Table II for generator, transformer and resistor parameters.
2) Neutral reactor selected to limit single-phase-to-ground fault current from each generator to
magnitude equal to the three-phase fault current from that generator. Reactance is 0.138 ohms at 60 Hz.
3) The unloaded machine was assumed to lag the loaded machine by 60 electrical degrees. See text for a
discussion of this assumption.
4) Third harmonic currents will exist only in the machine connected to the resistor; the ungrounded
machine will experience no such currents.

1) If the third harmonic line-to-neutral voltages produced by

the two generators (Eol and E2) are exactly equal and in
phase, current will circulate between each generator and the
transformer, but not between the generators.
2) If the third harmonic voltages EoI and E02 are unequal or
out of phase, current will circulate between generators as well
as between each generator and the transformer.
The first condition would exist if the two generators were (a)
identical and equally loaded. The second condition is indica-
tive of generators with different harmonic voltage character-
istics, or unequal loading, or both.
Using the assumed system constants listed in Table II,
harmonic current magnitudes were calculated for the typical
system of Fig. 3(a). The results of these calculations have been
listed in Table III. It can be seen that the magnitude of
harmonic circulating current, which was derived from a pessi-
mistically high estimate of generator harmonic voltages, is
tolerable. The resistor manufacturer should be advised of the
expected harmonic continuous current in the resistors.
It should be explained that the current for the condition of
one machine fully loaded and the other at no load was calcu- (b)
lated by presuming that the harmonic voltages Eol and Eo2 Fig. 3. (a) Individual resistance grounded power system. (b) Third
were exactly 180 electrical degrees out of phase. This is the harmonic zero sequence equivalent circuit.
same as saying that the fundamental frequency load angle of
the unloaded machine was 60 electrical degrees ahead of the
fully loaded generator. While this is an admittedly unrealistic because standard generators are not braced for unbalanced
assumption, it illustrates the extreme condition. fault currents in excess of the maximum three-phase fault
current available from the generator, it is necessary in such
Reactance Grounding cases to select a neutral reactor to limit the ground fault
There are some conditions for which low-resistance grounding current magnitude to be no greater than the three-phase fault
of the neutral is inappropriate; the most common is the need current magnitude for a fault at the generator terminals. For
for phase-to-neutral-connected single-phase loads. However, round rotor machines (for which X2 -X"d) this essentially
676 IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON INDUSTRY APPLICATIONS, NOVEMBER/D)ECEMBER 19 73

WA

J1~A
r

(a)

(a)
j3Xo {J3XO2 j 3XOT

QEOI @02 j 3Xo, ij3X02 i 3XoT

J;9XN jgXNZ (iEoi XE02

(b) b)
Fig. 4. (a) Reactance grounded power system. (b) Third harmonic Fig. 5. (a) Solidly grounded power system. (b) Third harmonic zero
zero sequence equivalent circuit. sequence equivalent circuit.

Resistor

f- rA
Resistor

(a)

(b)
Fig. 6. (a) Group resistance grounded power system. (b) Third har-
monic zero sequence equivalent circuit. Fig. 7. Preferred method of group resistance grounding.
POWELL: THIRD HARMONIC CIRCULATING CURRENTS
means
Xn = 4 (2)
3
and results in a case in which the XO/X1 ratio is 1. A reactor
so selected is large enough to protect the generator, yet not so
large as to present difficulties with phase to neutral loading.
A reactor determined using (2) is sometimes called the "mini-
mum" reactor.
Fig. 4(a) is a simple reactance-grounded system; its third
harmonic zero sequence circuit is shown in Fig. 4(b). Note
that the fundamental frequency neutral reactance value must
be multiplied by nine to account for its frequency dependence
and to convert it to a zero sequence quantity.
If the generator parameters from Table II are again used, the
"minimum" generator neutral reactor in this system can be
calculated using (2) as 0.138 Q and must have a short-time
current rating of 15 726 A. Using this information, the har-
monic circulating currents were calculated and listed in Table
III. The maximum continuous neutral harmonic current (387
A with both machines loaded) is approximately 2.5 percent of
the short-time current rating of the reactor. Thus, the genera-
tor neutral reactors for system of Fig. 4(a) must have either
1 0-min short-time ratings, or special continuous current ratings.
Table III also indicates that the per-phase component of the
harmonic circulating current in each generator is 129 A. This
requires about a one-percent derating of the nameplate
capability of the generators to remain within the thermal
limitations of the stator windings. Similarly, the transformer
must be derated about 5 percent to account for the 258-A
harmonic current in it. Also, care must be exercised in deter-
mining the settings for the ground overcurrent relays on the
generators because of the relatively high magnitude of neutral
current in one generator if the other machine is unloaded.
The reactor selected on the single-phase-to-ground short-cir-
cuit criteria is the smallest neutral reactor that should be used.
The largest practical reactor is often taken to be one which
results in the XO/X1 ratio measured at the generator terminals
being exactly 3. As long as this criteria is met, the system
remains effectively grounded and so-called 80-percent rated
lightning arresters may be applied as surge protection at the
generator terminals. When the ratio XO/X1 exceeds 3, arresters
no smaller than line-to-line rated units must be used. At no
time, however, should reactors be selected which lead to X0/X,
ratios greater than 10; to do so would create the possibility of
dangerously high overvoltages existing on the two unfaulted
phases during single-phase-to-ground faults.
Selection of generator neutral reactors on an X0/Xl criteria
is a system consideration going considerably beyond the scope
of this paper. Typically, however, the harmonic circulating
currents in systems so grounded might be expected to be one
half to one third the magnitudes found in a system grounded
using the "minimum" reactor.
Solid Grounding
Solid grounding of generator neutrals has long been discour-
aged except under the most unusual circumstances. This is
because the single-phase-to-ground fault current magnitude in
677
a solidly grounded system can be greater than the three-phase
fault current magnitude and would introduce unnecessary risks
of fault point damage and generator unbalance.
Fig. 5(a) shows a solidly grounded power system, and Fig.
5(b) is the corresponding zero sequence circuit. Again using
the generator and transformer data from Table II, harmonic
currents were calculated for Table III. From the magnitudes
of current listed two additional objections to solid grounding
can be identified. First, the generators must be derated because
of the excessive harmonic component of stator current. In
the system of Fig. 5(a) generator derating would be about two
percent. However, the harmonic component of current in the
transformer (517.5 A) requires that the transformer be derated
much more-about 21 percent. Secondly, the ground relays
must be desensitized to avoid false tripping.
Group Resistance Grounding
Occasionally a power system will include a neutral bus
connected to all the in-plant generators. This neutral bus is
connected to earth through a resistor designed to limit ground
fault current to some reasonable value. This is shown schemat-
ically in Fig. 6(a). However, as can be seen in the zero
sequence circuit of Fig. 6(b), this method is highly susceptible
to difficulties with third harmonic neutral currents, and in fact
is little better in this regard than a solidly grounded system.
While it is true that the circulating currents are tolerable if the
generators are identical and equally loaded, only the very small
third harmonic zero sequence impedance of the generators will
limit the flow of harmonic current if the machines are different
or unequally loaded. The magnitudes of current listed in Table
III for the system shown in Fig. 6(a) illustrate this point.
It is for this reason that group resistance grounding, as
illustrated in Fig. 6(a) should be avoided. Instead, systems
equipped with a neutral bus grounded through a resistor should
be arranged so that the connections between the grounded
neutral bus and the individual generator neutrals are by means
of load-break switches or breakers. These load-break switches
or breakers should be arranged so that it is impossible to
connect more than one generator neutral to the neutral bus at
at a time. Such a system is shown in Fig. 7. The harmonic
currents calculated for this system and listed in Table III are
reasonable.
CONCLUSIONS
Third harmonic circulating current can be expected in the
neutral connection of industrial generators. Power system
arrangements which provide the greatest practical limitation
for ground fault current magnitude usually also provide the
greatest control over circulating third harmonic currents.
Therefore, if resistance grounding of the generator neutrals is
possible, it should be used. However, if the ability of the
generators to serve line-to-neutral-connected single-phase loads
is crucial, then the machines must be reactance grounded. In
that event, the neutral reactor must be specified with adequate
short-time or continuous ratings. The use of solid grounding
or group resistance grounding with no provision to isolate
individual machines from the grounded neutral bus should be
discouraged.
678 IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON INDUSTRY APPLICATIONS, NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 1973

RE FERENCES third harmonics will flow; or, referring to Fig. 2 of the paper,
[11 Standard Requirements, Terminology and Test Procedures for break the Io circuit without otherwise jeopardizing fault detec-
Neutral Grounding Devices, IEEE Standard 32, 1972 tion equipment.
[21 "Grounding of power system neutrals," in Electrical Transmissionz If generator is provided with a unit transformer, a delta/
a
and Distribution Reference Book, Westinghouse Electric Corp., E.
Pittsburgh, Pa., 1950, ch. 13. wye connection (delta being on the generator side) means no
[31 G. Angst and J. L. Oldenkamp, "Third-harmonic voltage genera- third harmonics will flow.
tion in salient-pole, synchronous machines," AIEE Trans. (Power
App. Syst.), vol. 75, pp. 434-441, June 1956. Another alternative has been used on several occasions where
[41 D. Gingsberg and A. L. Jokl, "Voltage harmonics of salient-pole generators are to be paralleled through a common bus. The
generators under balanced 3-phase loads - II," AIEE Trans. (Power
App. Syst.), vol. 79, pp. 560-566, Aug. 1960. generator neutral is ungrounded providing for ground fault
[5] T. W. Schroeder, "Power system harmonics," Gen. Elec. Rev., detection through insertion of a synthetic ground point, gener-
vol. 45, pp. 399402, July 1942.
[61 C. E. Webb, "Determining the rating of a generator neutral ground- ally consisting of a zig-zag grounding transformer giving the
ing reactor," Industrial Power Systems Magazine, Schenectady, same performance to the network as a low resistance neutral
N.Y., vol. 13, pp. 16-17, Dec. 1970.
point ground.
Although the use of a synthetic ground poinlt is not
mentioned in the paper, we have found it will generally meet
the requirements with relatively modest cost, allowing 5/6-
Discussion winding pitch generators to be applhed in parallel with 2/3-
pitch generators without any need to modify existing ground
John E. McConnell (ASEA Inc., White Plains, N.Y.): The fault detection and relaying practices commonly used in North
author has put forth a very comprehensive paper on influence America.
of third harmonic currents on selecting neutral grounding
devices. I believe it appropriate to share ASEA experiences on
this topic.
ASEA builds generators using a 5/6-armature winding pitch.
The practice in the United States and the United Kingdom has Louie J. Powell, Jr.: The author wishes to thank Mr. Mc-
been to use a 2/3 pitch. The 5/6-pitch generators normally Connell for his compliments and his comments on grounding
produce a higher third harmonic voltage than the 2/3-pitch practices in Europe.
winding. Mr. McConnell is wrong in stating that the practice among
The common grounding practice in Europe for industrial generator manufacturers in this country has been to use a 2/3-
power systems is to use high resistance grounding with sensi- winding pitch. To the contrary, except in special instances all
tive ground relays. Thus the third harmonic will be suppressed. domestic generator builders use a pitch close to 5/6. It is
In addition, transient overvoltages on arcing grounds will be recognized that the use of 2/3 pitch will eliminate third har-
effectively eliminated. monic waveform distortion almost completely, but such designs
However, the United States and Canada have not readily are also known to invariably be larger, more costly, less effi-
accepted high resistance grounding practices for reasons that cient, and operate at higher field temperatures than machines
probably can be explained by not wishing to change relaying with higher pitch factors. The point of view is taken that
practices, even though ASEA can readily supply the relays controlling currents circulating in the neutral due to third
required for use with high resistance neutral grounding equip- harmonics in the stator voltage is a system consideration
ment. In other occasions, generators having a 5/6-pitch wind- separate from machine design problems and therefore is not
ing may often be applied for parallel operation with generators of primary concern to the generator designer. This is because
that have 2/3-pitch windings, resulting in the possibility of the neutral circulating current problem can be easily handled
ruling out high resistance grounding. Thus it becomes necessary by appropriate system neutral grounding.
to make a more thorough review. Mr. McConnell has noted that the voltage waveform of ASEA
The first step toward investigation was to review the merits generators has an abnormally high third harmonic content and
and reasons for the 5/6-pitch winding. As with most anything, that, as a result, ASEA insists on high resistance grounding of
tradeoffs exist. The result is that ASEA found no compelling the machine neutral or the use of neutral deriving transformers
cause to change to a 2/3 pitch at this time. and resistors on the bus. However, I do not know of any
On the plus side, 5/6 pitch produces much lower fifth and instances in which a domestically produced round-rotor ma-
seventh harmonic voltages that cause eddy currents and heating chine generated sufficient harmonics to necessitate the use of
in the surface of the rotor. In addition, the 2/3-pitch winding special grounding techniques, even though these machines also
utilizes a significant portion of the magnetic flux in the rotor have 5/6 pitch. Thus, I suspect there may be influences other
for suppressing the third harmonic, lowering the efficient use than pitch factor involved in ASEA's choice of a grounding
of the field and detracting by about 12 percent from the method.
utilization of the field to produce the fundamental frequency. All of the other means of grounding Mr. McConnell men-
It is also recognized that other additional alternatives exist tioned are well known in this country, and their perforinance
to eliminating the third harmonic circulating current which in controlling circulating neutral currents can be determined
have not been presented in the author's paper. The principle by extension of the cases considered in the paper. The reason-
involved is to restrain or eliminate the path through which the ing for their use, or lack of use in this country has been wefl
POWELL: THIRD HARMONIC CIRCULATING CURRENTS 679

documented in the technical literature so there is no need to characteristics, safety, economics, and neutral circulating cur-
discuss it further here. rents. Generators with relatively low third harmonic voltage
It will always be the case that selection of neutral grounding output, such as those produced in this country, are more
devices is a system consideration involving an examination of flexible on this basis and can usually be applied with any of
influences such as system load requirements, relaying, generator the grounding techniques available today.

Louie J. Powell, Jr. (S'67-M'69) was born in Jacksonville, Fla. He received the B.E.E. degree,
cooperative plan, from the Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, and has done graduate
work in the Power Systems Engineering Course sponsored jointly by General Electric Company
and Union College.
While in college he was employed by Reynolds, Smith and Hills, Architects and Engineers,
Jacksonville, where he worked on electric utility generating plant and transmission substation
designs. After graduation he joined the General Electric Company and was initially assigned to
the Chicago district office, where his principle work was on electrical systems for large steel-
making facilities. In 1969 he transferred to the Energy Systems Operation in Schenectady,
N.Y., as an Application Engineer, working primarily in the field of power systems analysis. He
has made electrical system studies for plants in the steel, shipbuilding, petroleum, paper, and
electrical manufacturing industries, both in the United States and abroad.