On separating customer and supply side harmonic contributions

In this paper, we propose an approach to quantifying the distortion caused by a single customer, when there are many customers in the network. We have described a method for isolating the contributions to waveform distortion from a customer side and the supply side. The voltage and current measurements at a single point are sufficient. This approach will be useful in arriving at equitable ways of settling customer complaints, sharing the cost of waveform distortion through rate structures, penalties, etc. The principle is illustrated using six example loads. The method proposed can be implemented in any power quality measurement device, which monitors the voltage as well as the current harmonics simultaneously.