In the materials of the article, the parameters of the higher harmonics of the groove frequency are analyzed, which affect the reliability of the operation of electrical equipment and the loss of electrical energy in active-adaptive networks. The influence of higher harmonics of rotary electric machines on the modes of operation of active-adaptive networks and their power equipment is considered. It was established that this influence depends on the energy level of higher harmonics and the modes of operation of active-adaptive networks. A technique is proposed that allows determining the levels of groove harmonic components in the phase windings of electric machines. The calculation of the energy level of higher harmonics was carried out taking into account the electromagnetic asymmetry of rotating electric machines and asymmetric modes of operation of three-phase electric networks using the method of phase coordinates. The obtained results are based on theoretical and experimental studies of the influence of higher harmonics of rotating electric machines on the modes of operation of electrical networks and power energy equipment.