Correction of harmonic distortions in electrical systems through destructive interference

Abstract In this paper, we will present a didactic and alternative method for correction of harmonic distortions in a.c. electric systems. First, the harmonic distortions problem and quantification through the Fourier series will be presented. Then, experimental methods for the correction of distortions will be presented in didactic way aiming to associate basic concepts of physics and mathematical tools to quantify the problem. To measure the harmonic distortion rates, before and after the correction, the FFT (Fast Fourier Transform) spectrum was used, demonstrating its application. The results will demonstrate that experimental activities had as main highlight the reduction of TDH (Harmonic Distortion Rate) from 71% to 11% using only destructive interference.