What can excessive harmonic distortion cause in electrical systems?

Excessive harmonic distortion can lead to overheating and damage to equipment due to the way harmonics interact with electrical components. When non-linear loads operate within a system, they generate harmonics, which are multiples of the fundamental frequency. These harmonics can cause excessive currents to flow through conductors, transformers, and other equipment, leading to additional heating beyond normal operating conditions.

This excessive heating can degrade insulation, shorten the lifespan of electrical devices, and result in mechanical failure of components. Furthermore, certain devices, like transformers, create losses known as eddy currents in their cores when exposed to distorted waveforms, leading to further increases in temperature. This overheating poses a risk to the integrity of the electrical system and can result in costly repairs or replacements.

In contrast, decreased load on transformers, improved power factor readings, and enhanced communication between electrical devices do not accurately describe the effects of harmonic distortion. Rather, these scenarios are generally associated with more stable and well-functioning power systems.