Do Capacitors Cause Harmonics?

The use of power factor correction capacitors can result in resonance in circuits where harmonics are present. In order to understand the PFC capacitor affect on harmonic current,we need to understand the harmonic sources and their nature.

Do capacitors generate harmonics?

Capacitors are linear reactive devices, and consequently do not generate harmonics. The installation of capacitors in a power system (in which the impedances are predominantly inductive) can, however, result in total or partial resonance occurring at one of the harmonic frequencies.

Do capacitors reduce harmonics?

Capacitors are particularly sensitive to harmonic currents since their impedance decreases proportionally to the order of the harmonics present. Since the impedance of the capacitor decrease with increase in frequency, large harmonic current flows into capacitors.