Neutral harmonic current calculator

Estimate neutral triplen harmonic current from entered phase harmonic current records for Australian power-quality review.

  • Calculator
  • Power quality
  • Australia
Use a switchboard, feeder, analyser or PQ report reference.
order
Enter an odd triplen harmonic order from the measurement record, such as 3, 9 or 15.
A
Enter RMS current for the selected triplen harmonic on Phase A.
A
Enter RMS current for the selected triplen harmonic on Phase B.
A
Enter RMS current for the selected triplen harmonic on Phase C.
A
Enter the project, report, equipment or engineering review current.
Name the source of the review threshold before interpreting the neutral current.
I_N_triplen = I_A_triplen + I_B_triplen + I_C_triplen
  • Use odd triplen harmonic orders such as 3, 9 or 15.
  • Phase currents must be RMS values from one measurement record.
  • The threshold is entered by the user from project, report, equipment or engineering criteria.
Formula variables
VariableMeaningUnitUse
I_A_triplenPhase A triplen harmonic currentAEntered RMS current for the selected triplen harmonic on Phase A.
I_B_triplenPhase B triplen harmonic currentAEntered RMS current for the selected triplen harmonic on Phase B.
I_C_triplenPhase C triplen harmonic currentAEntered RMS current for the selected triplen harmonic on Phase C.
I_N_triplenNeutral triplen harmonic currentAArithmetic sum of the entered triplen harmonic phase currents.
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Neutral harmonic current calculator technical guide

Estimate neutral triplen harmonic current from entered phase harmonic current records for Australian power-quality review.

Use this calculator when a power-quality record lists triplen harmonic current by phase and you need a neutral-current worksheet. It keeps the harmonic order, three phase rows and threshold basis visible before anyone interprets the result.

This page is separate from the ordinary neutral current calculator. Linear phase-current imbalance and triplen harmonic neutral current use different input records and should not be collapsed into one result.

Triplen Harmonic Record

Neutral harmonic current inputs
FieldWhy it mattersReview note
Harmonic orderRestricts the worksheet to odd triplen orders.Use 3, 9 or 15 from the measurement record.
Phase harmonic currentsCarries the RMS row for each phase.Use rows from one measurement window.
Review thresholdGives the comparison value.Keep the source visible.
Threshold basisExplains the comparison value.Avoid a hidden equipment-rating impression.

The calculator adds the entered triplen phase currents arithmetically because these components can add in the neutral. That arithmetic is a record summary, not a source diagnosis.

Result Interpretation

Neutral harmonic outputs
OutputMeaningPractical reading
Neutral harmonic currentSum of the entered triplen phase rows.Main worksheet result.
Phase spreadDifference between the largest and smallest phase harmonic current.Shows how uneven the record rows are.
Dominant phaseLargest entered phase row.Points to the largest contributor in this simple record.
Threshold basisSource of the entered review value.Keeps interpretation tied to the record source.

If the result is above the entered threshold, review the analyser record, neutral rating, equipment context and threshold source before using the value. If it is below the entered threshold, keep it as one record only; another loading state may produce different harmonic currents.

Boundary With Related Calculators

Which page owns the question
QuestionCorrect ownerInput basis
What neutral current follows from triplen harmonic phase rows?Neutral harmonic current calculatorThird, ninth or fifteenth harmonic current by phase.
What TDD follows from current harmonics and demand current?Harmonic current TDD calculatorHarmonic current RMS rows and demand current.
What neutral current follows from phase-current imbalance?Neutral current calculatorEntered phase currents for linear-load arithmetic.
What fields belong in a PQ record?Power-quality measurement record tableInstrument, location and measurement context.

Worked Records

Neutral harmonic examples
SituationInputsResult patternInterpretation
Third-harmonic neutral record8 A, 7.5 A and 8.5 A phase rows24 A neutral harmonic currentAbove the entered 20 A review value.
Higher review valueSame phase rows, 30 A review value24 A neutral harmonic currentBelow the entered threshold, with same measurement context.
Ninth-harmonic measurement note2.2 A, 2 A and 2.4 A phase rows6.6 A neutral harmonic currentLower record with Phase C as largest row.

Stop Points

  • The harmonic order is not an odd triplen order.
  • The phase rows come from different measurement windows.
  • The values are percentages rather than RMS current values.
  • The threshold has no stated project, equipment, report or engineering basis.
  • The result is being used as a source diagnosis without wider measurement review.

Third-harmonic neutral record

A power-quality note gives third-harmonic current values for each phase on one switchboard record.

Reference
PQ-NEUTRAL-H3-01
Harmonic order
3
Phase A
8 A
Phase B
7.5 A
Phase C
8.5 A
  1. Neutral harmonic current24 A
  2. Phase spread1 A
  3. Dominant phasePhase C
Neutral harmonic current24 A

Arithmetic sum of the entered triplen harmonic phase currents.

The summed triplen current is above the entered threshold, so the measurement and neutral-current basis should be reviewed.

  • Phase harmonic currents are RMS values from one record.
  • The harmonic order is triplen.
  • The threshold source remains visible.

Higher neutral-current review value

The same third-harmonic record is compared with a higher user-entered review value.

Reference
PQ-NEUTRAL-H3-HIGH
Harmonic order
3
Phase A
8 A
Phase B
7.5 A
Phase C
8.5 A
  1. Neutral harmonic current24 A
  2. Phase spread1 A
  3. Dominant phasePhase C
Neutral harmonic current24 A

Arithmetic sum of the entered triplen harmonic phase currents.

The current record stays below the entered threshold while still needing the same measurement context.

  • The phase values are unchanged.
  • The review value changed.
  • No equipment rating is embedded.

Ninth-harmonic measurement note

A separate analyser row gives ninth-harmonic current values with a lower summed neutral current.

Reference
PQ-NEUTRAL-H9-01
Harmonic order
9
Phase A
2.2 A
Phase B
2 A
Phase C
2.4 A
  1. Neutral harmonic current6.6 A
  2. Phase spread0.4 A
  3. Dominant phasePhase C
Neutral harmonic current6.6 A

Arithmetic sum of the entered triplen harmonic phase currents.

The summed ninth-harmonic current is below the entered review value, with Phase C as the largest row.

  • The order is an odd triplen harmonic.
  • Rows belong to one measurement window.
  • Neutral heating assessment remains external.

Questions

Is this the same as neutral current from phase imbalance?

No. This worksheet is for triplen harmonic current rows. Use the neutral current calculator for linear-load phase-current arithmetic.

Can I enter fifth or seventh harmonic current here?

No. This page is for odd triplen harmonic orders such as third, ninth and fifteenth.

Does this diagnose the harmonic source?

No. It only summarises the entered record. Source diagnosis needs measurement review and project context.

Where should the threshold come from?

Use a project, report, equipment, engineering or review basis and keep that source visible.