When comparing electrical disturbances, how does harmonic distortion behave?

Harmonic distortion is a phenomenon that arises in electrical systems, particularly when non-linear loads are present. The behavior of harmonic distortion varies with the nature of the load and the context of the measurements being taken.

In the case of single load measurements, harmonic distortion tends to be least because the measurement is focused on a single non-linear device, such as a computer or LED lighting, which might introduce specific harmonics into the system. When the focus is only on one load, the effects of other loads and their potential interactions (which can amplify distortion) are not present. This typically results in a clearer understanding of how that particular load affects the overall harmonic levels.

In contrast, when multiple loads are operating simultaneously, the interaction between different devices can lead to increased harmonic distortion, due to the way currents and voltages interact in a shared electrical system. Therefore, assessing distortion at a single load offers a simpler view that tends to reveal lower distortion levels compared to more complex situations where multiple loads interact.