Adverse harmonic impact of network resonances on smart meters

Abstract

Network resonances typically result from the interaction between the inductive and capacitive elements in the grid. This paper presents a case study where network resonances coupled with harmonic current injections can cause substantial overvoltages which can potentially lead to misoperation or failure of residential smart meters. A mitigation technique is designed to decrease this adverse harmonic impact. It is shown that the placement of a filter near the harmonic current source can successfully reduce the impact of harmonics. This study demonstrates that harmonic amplification could become a potential cause of smart meter failures, and therefore such network resonance studies must be performed by utilities to eliminate one possible cause of smart meter failures that have recently been reported in utilities.