Shunt Reactors | Power Transformer Page 1 of 2

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The need for large shunt reactors appeared when long power transmission lines for system voltage
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220 kV & higher were built. The characteristic parameters of a line are the series inductance (due to
the magnetic field around the conductors) & the shunt capacitance (due to the electrostatic field to
earth). An equivalent diagram for a line is show in the figure below

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Both the inductance & the capacitance are distributed along the length of the line. So are the series
resistance and the admittance to earth. When the line is loaded, there is a voltage drop along the
line due to the series inductance and the series resistance. When the line is energized but not
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loaded or only loaded with a small current, there is a voltage rise along the line (the Ferranti-effect)
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In this situation, the capacitance to earth draws a current through the line, which may be
capacitive. When a capacitive current flows through the line inductance there will be a voltage rise
along the line.

To stabilize the line voltage the line inductance can be compensated by means of series capacitors
and the line capacitance to earth by shunt reactors. Series capacitors are placed at different places
along the line while shunt reactors are often installed in the stations at the ends of line. In this way,
the voltage difference between the ends of the line is reduced both in amplitude and in phase angle.

Shunt reactors may also be connected to the power system at junctures where several lines meet or
to tertiary windings of transformers.

Transmission cables have much higher capacitance to earth than overhead lines. Long submarine
cables for system voltages of 100 KV and more need shunt reactors. The same goes for large urban
networks to prevent excessive voltage rise when a high load suddenly falls out due to a failure.

Shunt reactors contain the same components as power transformers, like windings, core, tank,
bushings and insulating oil and are suitable for manufacturing in transformer factories. The main
difference is the reactor core limbs, which have non-magnetic gaps inserted between packets of
core steel.

Figure shows a design of a single-phase shunt reactor. The half to the right is a picture of the
magnetic field. The winding encloses the mid-limb with the non-magnetic gaps. A frame of core
steel encloses the winding and provides the return path for the magnetic field.

3-phase reactors can also be made. These may have 3- or -5-limbed cores. In a 3-limbed core there
is strong magnetic coupling between the three phases, while in a 5-limbed core the phases are
magnetically independent due to the enclosing magnetic frame formed by the two yokes and the
two unwound side-limbs.

The neutral of shunt reactor may be directly earthed, earthed through an Earthing-reactor or
unearthed.

http://www.qualitypower.co.in/shunt-reactor.php 3/21/2011
Shunt Reactors | Power Transformer Page 2 of 2

When the reactor neutral is directly earthed, the winding are normally designed with graded
insulation in the earthed end. The main terminal is at the middle of the limb height, & the winding
consists of two parallel-connected halves, one below & one above the main terminal. The insulation
distance to the yokes can then be made relatively small. Sometimes a small extra winding for local
electricity supply is inserted between the main winding & yoke.

When energized the gaps are exposed to large pulsation compressive forced with a frequency of
twice the frequency of the system voltage. The peak value of these forces may easily amount to
106 N/m2 (100 ton /m2). For this reason the design of the core must be very solid, & the modulus
of elasticity of the non-magnetic (& non-metallic) material used in gaps must be high (small
compression) in order to avoid large vibration amplitudes with high sound level consequently. The
material in the gaps must also be stable to avoid escalating vibration amplitudes in the end.

Testing of reactors requires capacitive power in the test field equal to the nominal power of the
reactor while a transformer can be tested with a reactive power equal to 10 – 20% of the
transformer power rating by feeding the transformer with nominal current in short –circuit
condition.

The loss in the various parts of the reactor (12R, iron loss & additional loss) cannot be separated by
measurement. It is thus preferable, in order to avoid corrections to reference temperature, to
perform the loss measurement when the average temperature of the winding is practically equal to
the reference temperature.

When specifying shunt reactors for enquiry, the following data should be given:

Reactive power, Q

Rated voltage, U

Maximum continuous operating voltage

Insulation level LI, SI

Frequency, Hz

AC test voltages

Permissible temperature rise for oil & winding

Sound level & linearity criteria, if required

Type of cooling, fan, pump, radiators

Peripheral features, if required

Safety & monitoring equipment

Loss capitalization
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http://www.qualitypower.co.in/shunt-reactor.php 3/21/2011