Evaluation of harmonic impacts from compact fluorescent lights on distribution systems

Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) have the potential to increase the overall harmonic distortion levels on distribution systems. Measurements of the harmonic characteristics of different types of CFLs are presented and the possible impacts on a distribution system are analyzed. The analysis uses a combination of EMTP simulations and conventional harmonic analysis simulations to predict the distribution system distortion levels as a function of system characteristics, the CFL characteristics, and the CFL penetration level.