This paper presents a typical control structure of shunt active power filter (SAPF) based on harmonic voltage detection (HVD), and conducts analysis about the application range and stability. The application of SAPF with HVD is generally considered to be applicable only within specific environments characterized by weak grid and strong grid impedance. A control method of SAPF with HVD based on vector resonance is proposed, which summarizes and simplifies the traditional methods. Compared with the SAPF of grid current detection, the application boundary of SAPF with HVD is established. The harmonic current limiting algorithm of HVD is given to prevent SAPF overcurrent caused by strong background harmonic voltage. The small-signal model of the SAPF with HVD is given, which exhibits its capability to mitigate oscillations occurring between the load and the grid. The effect of harmonic compensation and resonance suppression is verified by the simulation model of PLECS.