Does a harmonic filter save electricity in a factory with many drives?

A little, mostly by cutting heating losses in cables and transformers. The bigger gains are fewer drive trips, longer capacitor life and a steadier power factor. Measure total harmonic distortion and kWh before and after; do not assume a saving figure.

Where losses come from

Harmonic currents add to RMS current, which heats cables and transformers. Removing them lowers those losses, usually a small share of total consumption.

How to test

1. Log THD and kWh at the main incomer for a typical week.
2. Install the filter and log again under the same production.
3. Count only the measured change, multiplied by 0.710 kg CO2 per kWh for Indian grid power.

What Senseible does here

Senseible reads electricity bills, including kVAh, demand and solar export lines, into dated records with the units, factor and year behind every Scope 2 figure.

• Power factor correction and emissions
• VFD savings on pumps and fans
• Transformer losses in Scope 2

Sources: Bureau of Energy Efficiency, energy efficiency guides, CEA CO2 Baseline Database, version 21.0

Last reviewed 2026-10-22.