Specification of variable frequency drive systems to meet the new IEEE 519 standard

The new revision of IEEE Standard 519 became official in 1993. The new standard has been greatly expanded and includes additional stringent limits on individual and total current harmonic distortion in addition to the voltage distortion and line notching limits already included in IEEE Standard 519-1981. A modern industrial power system may include variable frequency drive (VFD) loads at several locations. The new standard requires a careful “global” harmonic analysis of the entire power system to specify the right type of VFD technology for the application and ensures compliance with the standard. This paper presents a general methodology for computing voltage and current distortion in accordance with IEEE 519-1992. The paper presents a case study that further emphasizes the importance of harmonic analysis. The impact of the new standard on the state-of-the-art of VFD technology is discussed