Impact of Electrical Harmonics on The Efficiency of Energy Consumption of Air Conditioning Systems

Harmonics injected to the power system by various equipments
represent a burden on the system. The increase in the r.m.s current and
therefore, the power consumption due to harmonics is one of its negative
consequences. The identification of harmonic sources, the representation of
the harmonics and the analysis of the behavior of the equipments with the
existence of the harmonics show that a significant increase in these
equipment consumption is due to the harmonics.
The load distribution in Saudi Arabia has indicated that air
conditioning consumes about 70% of the load in residential, commercial and
governmental sectors. Therefore, the analysis of the impact of the harmonics
on the energy consumption of air conditions can verify the benefit gained by
increasing the efficiency of these systems with harmonic damping.
This paper presents the results of the harmonic measurements
conducted for different type of air conditions in nurnber of loads. It indicates
an increase in the consumption of these system due to harmonics. The
results show the degree of the harmonic level and therefore, the effect on the
equipment efficiency.