The disadvantages and how to prevent causes net pollution
Mains contamination from harmonic pollution not only has a negative effect on lighting, it can also significantly reduce the long-term life of electrical appliances. Reason enough to minimize grid pollution.
In this blog, read about the causes of mains pollution, what harmonic distortions are and how to prevent them.
To measure the efficiency of LED lighting, we often use the lumen/watt ratio (lm/W). However, measuring the quality of lighting is defined in two other categories.
1. Display, including maximum color deviation (SDCM), color fastness (CRI) and color temperature (Kelvin)
2. Consumption, power factor (PF) and total harmonic distortion (THD). Note that reactive power is not part of the lumen/watt ratio. So it is very important to know the PF and THD for a safe installation.
Harmonic distortions are causes of mains contamination and adversely affect equipment and power supply.
A major problem of grid pollution is affecting the computers in an office space, for example. These can fail periodically and even break down in the long run, leading to high unnecessary costs.
Actual power and apparent power may well differ with lighting.
For example, drivers for LED lighting or other electronics with inductive, capacitive or nonlinear operation may have a current draw that does not properly match the available voltage.
The goal is to be as close to PF 1 as possible. In practice, a PF of exactly 1 is unrealistic. The unused energy, as indicated earlier, is called reactive current.
When the current draw and voltage are too far apart, harmonic currents enter the grid.
Harmonic pollution occurs on the multiples of 50 Hz (i.e., 100 – 150 – 200 Hz etc.). Due to harmonics, a pure sinusoidal voltage is degraded and higher peaks occur.
Causes of grid contamination, such as harmonic currents, present a number of disadvantages and risks. So always make sure that appliances connected to the power supply minimize grid pollution.
Below are three possible consequences of grid pollution in LED lighting due to harmonic distortion.
To reduce THD with lighting, it is important to have a high power factor with lighting connected.
This starts with quality lighting from a reliable supplier. Clearlight therefore works only with reputable brands. By doing so, we nip potential harmonic pollution in the bud.
Clearlight supplies only LED drivers with high PF and low THD. This way you extend the life of all appliances in the room and enjoy optimal lighting.
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