Which of the following is a disadvantage associated with harmonics?

The presence of harmonics in electrical systems leads to increased heating in motors and transformers, which is the primary reason the selected answer is appropriate. Harmonics are voltage or current waveforms that operate at a frequency that is a multiple of the fundamental frequency. When these harmonics circulate through power systems, they can create additional losses in electrical components due to non-linearities.

These losses manifest as increased heat, which can lead to reduced efficiency, premature aging, and failure of electrical equipment. In motors and transformers specifically, higher temperatures can damage insulation and other critical components, resulting in downtime and increased maintenance costs. This impact is particularly pronounced in systems that were not designed to handle the additional thermal stresses caused by harmonics.

While some alternatives mention phenomena like reduced voltage or increased capacitance, these are not direct disadvantages of harmonics. In fact, improved signal clarity is contrary to the nature of harmonics, as they tend to distort signals rather than enhance them. Thus, the increased heating effect associated with harmonics is a well-documented and significant disadvantage that merits attention in reliability engineering contexts.