DEFINITION

In three phase and single phase electrical power sytems, the flow of current waveforms that are distorted.

These distorted current waveforms result from the use of non-linear loads.

The distorted current waveform is
made up of the fundamental sinewave or 1st order 60 hertz current and multiple frequency currents such as
the 3rd (180 hertz), 5th order (300hertz) current sinewaves which
all add to make up the distorted
current waveform.