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Fundamental and harmonic power

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alphacat

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I use a power measurement IC which can perform the following measurements (among others):
- Fundamental Active Power.
- Harmonic Active Power.

What does each represent?

Thanks fellas.
 
Fundamental power often referes to the desired signal produced by the device or system. For example, if you measure the mains of a US domestic power outlet, it would refer to a 60 Hz sine wave. Harmonic power is the distortion from the ideal sine wave. It comes as a result of a fourier distrubution of harmonic frequencies that make up the distortion.

However, if the system is designed to produce a wave other than a sine wave, then the harmonics may not be distortion, rather they are intentionally produced harmonics.
 
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To amplify on BrownOut's post, harmonics are frequencies that are multiples of the fundamental sine wave. Thus the second harmonic of a 60Hz sine wave is 120Hz, the third harmonic is 180Hz, etc.
 
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