1 of 14

APPLICATION NOTE 0001

ACTIVE HARMONIC FILTERS – DESIGN AND INSTALLATION ASSISTANCE

By: Marc Marchal

Title: Application Engineering Manager
Date: 12 October 2012
Rev: A
 2 of 14

Introduction
Active Harmonic Filters are available in two ranges, the low power Accusine SWP
range and the larger Accusine PCS range. Both are discussed in separate chapters.
This document aims to assist with the integration of the Active Filter in the power
distribution and deals with some specifics associated with this technology. This note
is valid for filters being used for Harmonic Compensation. Other filter modes have
not been considered in this note.

The Accusine PCS Active Filter

One of the most important aspects of an active filtering solution relates to the CT’s. It
is extremely important correct CT’s be installed in the correct spots.

Selecting the CT’s:

Rating: 400Hz
Accuracy: Class1
Secondary: 5A
VA rating: the Accusine represents a 2.5VA burden per unit. It is advised to select
a CT VA rating of 30VA or more as this will allow reasonable cable
runs.

General CT wire length for a 5A secondary : L=(CT VA -2.5)/(50 * R)

L= cable length
R= resistance in Ohm/m for the cable

Cross Resistance
section in in Ohm/m
mm2
1.0 0.018
1.5 0.012
2.5 0.0074
4.0 0.0046

The total burden, Accusine + twin wire must be below the CT VA

rating to avoid saturation.

Example:

A CT with a 15VA Rating is installed 30m away from the Accusine

unit. What would be a correct cable size?

Select a 1.5mm2. Maximum length L=(15-2.5)/(50 * 0.012) = 20m.

1.5mm2 is not suitable.
Select a 2.5mm2. Maximum length L=(15-2.5)/(50 * 0.0074) = 33m.
2.5mm2 is suitable for this application.

CT’s supplied by Schneider Electric have a minimum VA rating of 30.

 3 of 14

Primary CT rating:

The maximum primary rating is 6000Amp. However accurate

performance at low loads requires the CT to match the load. Typically
a reasonable accuracy down to 10% of the CT rating can be expected.

Cable: Twisted and/or shielded pairs. Keep the twisting going all the way to
the CT terminals.

No required: 3 or more depending on the configuration

Positioning of the CT’s

CT sizing and CT mounting is critical for correct operation of active filters.
Consideration in the design phase of a project can likely reduce the number of CT’s
required and/or increase the performance. The diagrams below outline some of the
options available for the most common applications. For more complex applications
please consult with Schneider Electric.

Situation 1: No power factor correction capacitors and one feeder

Load Sense Source Sense

Preferred option due to best CT sizing Universal solution

possible
CT sizing needs consideration as CT will
Can only be used when CT can be now see all load
mounted to see all none linear loads
without seeing linear loads
 4 of 14

Situation 2 : Power factor correction and one feeder

Load Sense Source Sense, PFC upstream

Preferred option due to optimum CT CT sizing needs consideration as CT will

sizing and only one set of CT’s required now see all load

Can only be used when CT can be

mounted to see all none linear loads
without seeing linear loads or power
factor correction

Source Sense, PFC on bus

CT sizing needs consideration as CT will

now see all load

The auxiliary CT (around the Power

factor feed) can be reduced in rating, but
the ratio must be maintained. Example: if
the CT around the incomer is a 3000/5
then the CT around the power factor feed
can for example be 600/1
 5 of 14

Situation 3: Two Accusine filters in parallel and one feeder

Load Sense Source Sense

Preferred option due to optimum CT Three set’s of CT’s required

sizing and only one set of CT’s required
Sizing of CT’s need careful consideration
Can only be used when CT can be to optimise performance
mounted to see all none linear loads
without seeing linear loads or power The auxiliary CT’s (around the Accusine
factor correction feeds) can be reduced in rating, but the
ratio must be maintained. Example: if the
CT around the main incomer is a 3000/5
then the CT’s around the Accusine feeds
can for example be 600/1

Situation 4: Source-change over with power factor correction

Load Sense Source Sense

Preferred option due to optimum CT Three set’s of CT’s required

sizing and only one set of CT’s required
Sizing of CT’s need careful consideration
Can only be used when CT can be to optimise performance
mounted to see all none linear loads
without seeing linear loads or power The auxiliary CT (around the Power
factor correction factor feed) can be reduced in rating, but
the ratio must be maintained. Example: if
the CT’s around the incomers are a
3000/5 then the CT around the power
factor feed can for example be 600/1
 6 of 14

Situation 5: Two incomers, bus coupler and power factor correction

Allows for all incomer and bus coupler combinations.

Mechanical dimensions for standard Schneider CT’s

Dimensions below are for Schneider’s standard active filter CT’s. CT’s with different
mechanical dimensions, different ratings or even split core CT’s are available on
request.

Part number ASK123-3000-5A-400, 3000/5A 30VA 400Hz

 7 of 14

Environmental considerations, protection and wiring

Environmental Specification:

Ambient Temperature: 0-40 Degree C

Humidity level: below 95% non-condensing
Protection Rating: IP54
Pollution Degree 2
Storage: -40 to 65 Degree C
Heat losses:
50 Amp filter: 2.25 kW
100 Amp filter: 3.75 kW
300 Amp filter: 10kW
EMC emission: EN61000-6-4 Class A: 2001
EMC immunity: EN61000-6-2: 2001

Protection:

50 Amp filter: C120N, 3P 80A B-Curve

100 Amp filter: NSX160 +MICROLOGIC2.2 125D
300Amp filter: NSX400 +MICROLOGIC2.3 400A

Power Cables :

Top or bottom entry

Power Cables should be rated at 125% of the filter rating current to avoid
excessive heating. The phase sequence of the 3-phase power wires feeding the
active filter must be positive sequence, i.e. a phase rotation meter should
indicate clockwise.

Accusine PCS utilises a significant airflow to cool the units. Filters must be kept clean
to prevent the units from tripping on over temperature. The Accusine is not suited to
an extreme dusty environment.

Dimensions:

50 Amp filter: W=800 H=2000 D=600

100 Amp filter: W=800 H=2000 D=600
300Amp filter: W=1000 H=2000 D=800
 8 of 14

General Considerations
Some loads powered off distribution boards may have “exposed” capacitors. These
loads may require blocking chokes, or alternatively move the feed for the distribution
board to upstream from the filter.

The Accusine SWP (SineWave) Active Filter

Selecting the CT’s:

Rating: 400Hz
Accuracy: Class1
Secondary: 1A
VA rating: the Accusine SWP represents a 3.5 VA burden per unit. It is advised to
select a CT VA rating of 10VA or more as this will allow reasonable
cable runs.

General CT wire length for a 1A secondary : L=(CT VA -2.5)/(10 * R)

L= cable length
R= resistance in Ohm/m for the cable

Cross Resistance
section in in Ohm/m
mm2
1.0 0.018
1.5 0.012
2.5 0.0074
4.0 0.0046

The total burden, Accusine + twin wire must be below the CT VA

rating to avoid saturation.

Example:

A CT with a 5VA Rating is installed 20m away from the Accusine

unit. What would be a correct cable size?

Select a 1.5mm2. Maximum length L=(5-3.5)/(10 * 0.012) = 12.5m.

1.5mm2 is not suitable.
Select a 2.5mm2. Maximum length L=(5-3.5)/(10 * 0.0074) = 20.4m.
2.5mm2 is suitable for this application.

CT’s supplied by Schneider Electric have a minimum VA rating of 5.

Primary CT rating:
 9 of 14

Acceptable primary ratings are: 300 / 500 / 600 / 1000 /1500 / 2000 /
3000 / 4000 / 5000 / 6000. The maximum primary rating is 6000Amp.
However accurate performance at low loads the requires the CT to
match load. Typically a reasonable accuracy down to 10% of the CT
rating can be expected.

Cable: Twisted and/or shielded pairs

No required: 3 or more depending on the configuration

Positioning of the CT’s

CT sizing and CT mounting is critical for correct operation of active filters.
Consideration in the design phase of a project can likely reduce the number of CT’s
required and/or increase the performance. The diagrams below outline some of the
options available for the most common applications. For more complex applications
please consult with Schneider Electric.

Situation 1: No power factor correction capacitors and one feeder

Load Sense Source Sense

Preferred option due to best CT sizing Universal solution

possible
CT sizing needs consideration as CT will
Can only be used when CT can be now see all load
mounted to see all none linear loads Extra set of CT’s required
without seeing linear loads
 10 of 14

Situation 2 : Power factor correction and one feeder

Load Sense Source Sense, PFC upstream

Preferred option due to optimum CT CT sizing needs consideration as CT will

sizing and only one set of CT’s required now see all load

Can only be used when CT can be Extra set of CT’s required

mounted to see all none linear loads
without seeing linear loads or power
factor correction

Source Sense, PFC on bus

CT sizing needs consideration as CT will

now see all load

Three sets of CT’s required

 11 of 14

Situation 3: Two Accusine filters in parallel and one feeder

Load Sense Source Sense

Preferred option due to optimum CT Three set’s of CT’s required

sizing and only one set of CT’s required
Sizing of CT’s need careful consideration
Can only be used when CT can be to optimise performance
mounted to see all none linear loads
without seeing linear loads or power
factor correction

Situation 4: Source-change over with power factor correction

Load Sense Source Sense

Preferred option due to optimum CT Four set’s of CT’s required for the filter
sizing and only one set of CT’s
required Sizing of CT’s need careful consideration to
optimise performance
Can only be used when CT can be
mounted to see all none linear loads
without seeing linear loads or power
factor correction
 12 of 14

Situation 5: Two incomers, bus coupler and power factor correction

Allows for all incomer and bus coupler combinations.

Mechanical dimensions for standard Schneider CT’s

Dimensions below are for Schneider’s standard active filter CT’s. CT’s with different
mechanical dimensions, different ratings or even split core CT’s are available on
request.

Part number ASK414-600-1A-400, 600/1A 400Hz 5VA

Part number ASK414-300-1A-400, 300/1A 400Hz 5VA

Part number ASK814-2000-1A, 2000/1A 400Hz 15VA

Part number ASK814-1000-1A, 1000/1A 400Hz 10VA
 13 of 14

Environmental considerations, protection and wiring

Environmental Specification:

Ambient Temperature: 0-40 Degree C

Humidity level: below 95% non-condensing
Protection Rating: IP20 as standard, IP54 on request
Storage: -40 to 65 Degree C
Heat losses:
20 Amp filter: 1 kW
30 Amp filter: 1.2 kW
45 Amp filter: 1.9 kW
60 Amp filter: 2.4 kW
90 Amp filter: 3.8 kW
120 Amp filter: 4.8 kW
EMC conducted and radiated emissions: EN55011 levelA (residential filter available
on request)

Protection:
20 Amp filter: 32 Amp Breaker B curve, ref. 25873
30 Amp filter: 40 Amp Breaker B curve, ref. 25874
45 Amp filter: 63 Amp Breaker B curve, ref. 25876
60 Amp filter: 80 Amp Breaker B curve, ref. 18349
90 Amp filter: (63 Amp Breaker B curve, ref. 25876) x2
120 Amp filter: (80 Amp Breaker B curve, ref. 18349) x2

Power Cables:
Bottom entry

Power Cables should be rated at 125% of the filter rating current to avoid
excessive heating. The phase sequence of the 3-phase power wires feeding the
active filter must be positive sequence, i.e. a phase rotation meter should
indicate clockwise.

Dimensions:

20 Amp filter: W=540 H=680 D=280

30 Amp filter: W=540 H=680 D=280
45 Amp filter: W=590 H=780 D=325
 14 of 14

60 Amp filter: W=590 H=780 D=325

90 Amp filter: (W=590 H=780 D=325) x2
120 Amp filter: (W=590 H=780 D=325) x2

General Considerations
Some loads powered off distribution boards may have “exposed” capacitors. These
loads may require blocking chokes, or alternatively move the feed for the distribution
board to upstream from the filter.