How Higher Harmonics Affect the Electrical Facilities in Mining Power Systems

This paper presents the research into how higher harmonics of current and voltage can affect the electric drives used in the power systems at mining sites. As an object of study, the skip hoisting installation of the mine and its electric drive system were adopted. The installation is a single-drum machine of a compact design, which includes a CH4 skip, a DSf-500-M154-6 induction motor, a ProCrane-X2-MPR-690-PECe frequency converter. It proves the higher harmonics to negatively affect variable-frequency drives of skip hoists used in mines. The paper further dwells upon the mathematical processing of higher harmonics measured in the power system of a mining company. It proposes ways to reduce the above-mentioned effects.