: Mathematically breaking down a distorted periodic wave into its fundamental and harmonic components.
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Any periodic, distorted waveform can be decomposed into a sum of pure sine waves. This is the Fourier series: [ f(t) = a_0 + \sum_h=1^\infty [a_h \cos(h\omega t) + b_h \sin(h\omega t)] ] Where is the harmonic order. The fundamental (h=1) carries real power, while higher-order harmonics (h=3, 5, 7, 11, etc.) represent pollution. The fundamental (h=1) carries real power, while higher-order
The RMS current in a harmonic-rich environment is: [ I_RMS = \sqrtI_1^2 + I_2^2 + I_3^2 + ... + I_h^2 ] But losses (I²R) increase with the square of the RMS current. Additionally, and proximity effect cause higher-order harmonics to flow on the conductor surface, increasing effective resistance. A transformer rated for 1000 kVA may only handle 600 kVA under 25% THD. The fundamental (h=1) carries real power