Harmonic Headache

Small waves, big problems. Harmonics are often misunderstood, but ignoring them can lead to costly design flaws, equipment issues, and power quality headaches. Host Greg Weichman and guest Jordan Engel, Product Manager for Yaskawa’s Matrix Drives, demystify what harmonics are, how they form, and why they matter. Using vivid analogies and real-world stories, they explore how variable frequency drives (VFDs) and other modern electronics contribute to harmonic distortion—and what to do about it.

With decades of combined experience, Greg and Jordan walk through common mitigation strategies like line reactors, passive filters, active filters, and low harmonic drive technologies. They also cover how to spot harmonic issues before they start, the role of IEEE 519, and why even small system changes can trigger unexpected consequences.

Whether you're troubleshooting an existing system or planning a new facility, this episode is your guide to avoiding harmonic headaches and keeping your power system running smooth.

01:02 Defining Power Systems and Harmonics
02:37 Analogies to Explain Harmonics
07:54 Impact of Non-Linear Loads
10:05 Harmonics vs. EMC Explained
12:36 IEEE 519 Guidelines
14:38 Real World Story
21:01 Mitigation Strategies for Harmonics
27:30 Low Harmonic Drives
32:03 Predicting and Measuring Harmonics
35:17 Conclusion and Key Takeaways

Have a topic you want us to cover? Email marcom@yaskawa.com and let us know!