Electric Wave Distortions: Their Hidden Costs and Containment

Nonlinear electrical loads are shown to be the major source of wave distortion. These are generally highly efficient types of loads; thus their usage can be expected to grow, and wave distortions can be expected to increase. Hidden costs from such loads are identified. Conditions which can result in excessive distortions are described. A new method of monitoring wave distortions is presented. It is shown how this method can be used to annunciate excess distortion and that it is practical to initiate corrective action.