Global Harmonic Rate Assessment in the Electricity Distribution Network in Niamey City: Case Studies of Domestic, Industrial and Hospital Substations

Like others countries of the world, in Niger also, we are witnessing an increasing use of non-linear electric loads in the domestic, hospital and industrial sectors. However, these loads degrade the shape of the electrical signal and cause disastrous effects to the equipment of the distribution system and the devices which are connected to the network. This article highlights the presence of electric harmonics in the distribution network in Niamey city. In order to do this, measurements were taken at the secondary level of the substations using an energy quality analyze r (FLUKE 1735). By using this measuring instrument, we quantified the voltage and current Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) in the three substations. The results obtained show that, although the statutable rates set by the standards are not exceeded for phase conductors, the neutral contains a very critical percentage of distortion on the residential and hospital substations. Moreover, this assessment made it possible to observe the variation of harmonics in the presence of voltage drops.