Types of Reactor
Table of Contents
What is a Line Reactor?
A line reactor is a variable frequency drive (VFD) accessory that consists of a coil of wire that generates a magnetic field as current passes through it. It is also known as an electrical reactor or a choke. This magnetic field restricts the rate at which the current rises, lowering harmonics and defending the drive from transients and surges in the power system.
Types of Line Reactors (Types of Reactor)
In an electrical power system, a reactor can play a variety of roles. Reactors are typically categorized based on how they are used. such as(Types of Reactor)
- Shunt Reactor
- Current Limiting and Neutral Earthing Reactor
- Damping Reactor
- Tuning Reactor
- Earthing Transformer
- Arc Suppression Reactor
- Smoothing Reactor etc.
From a constructional point of view, the reactors are classified as:
- Air Core Reactor
- Gapped Iron Core Reactor
From an operational point of view, the reactors are classified as:
- Variable Reactor
- Fixed Reactor.
In addition to this, the reactor can also be classified as:
- Indoor Type or
- Outdoor Type Reactor.
Shunt Reactor
Normally, the system’s reactor is connected in parallel. Shunt reactors are typically used to account for the capacitive component of the system’s current. That indicates that the primary purpose of this reactor is to absorb VAR (Reactive Power), which is produced as a result of the system’s capacitive effect. Shunt reactors are typically connected between the line and the ground in a substation. Depending on the needs of the system, the VAR absorbed by the reactor can be either fixed or variable. Phase control thyristors or DC magnetizing of the iron core can be used to change the VAR in the reactor. The offline or online tap changer connected to the reactor can also produce this variation.
Depending on how the power system is set up, a shunt reactor can be either single- or three-phase. A shunt reactor’s design feature will determine whether it has an air core or a gapped iron core. Additionally, this can be done with or without a magnetic shield. The shunt reactors can also be built with extra loading winding to provide the system with backup power.
Series Reactors
Current Limiting Reactor is a kind of Series Reactor. Series Reactors are connected to the system in series. They are typically employed to facilitate proper load sharing in a parallel power network or to restrict the fault current in the system. A series reactor is referred to as a generator line reactor when it is connected to an alternator. This is done to lessen the strains that result from three-phase short circuit faults. To reduce the impact of a short circuit fault at other system components, the series reactor may also be connected in series in the feeder or electrical bus. The short circuit current withstand rating of the equipment and conductors in that portion of the system can be lower as the effect of short circuit current becomes more constrained. As a result, the system is economical.
Neutral Earthing Reactors are used to limit the line to earth current during earth faults in systems when a reactor of the appropriate rating is connected between the neutral and earth connections. A capacitor bank may experience a significant inrush current when turned on while being uncharged. Each phase of the capacitor bank is connected to a reactor in series to reduce this inrush current. The damping reactor is the one used for this purpose. This reduces the capacitor’s transient condition. Additionally, it aids in the suppression of the system’s harmonics. These reactors are typically rated for both their maximum continuous current carrying capacity and their highest inrush current.
The wave trap connected in series with the feeder line is a kind of reactor. A filter circuit is created by this reactor and the line’s coupling capacitor to block frequencies other than the power frequency. Power Line Carrier Communication is primarily facilitated by this kind of reactor. It is known as a tuning reactor. It is also known as a filter reactor because it is used to build filter circuits. And It is frequently and widely referred to as Wave Trap. An earthing transformer, a zigzag star connected three-phase reactor, is used in a delta connected power system to create a star point or neutral point. The secondary winding of this reactor might be used to generate power for the substation’s auxiliary supply. This reactor is also known as an earthing transformer because of this.
Arc Suppression Reactor is the name given to the reactor that is connected between neutral and earth to restrict single phase to earth fault current. Additionally, a reactor is used to remove harmonics from DC power. A smoothing reactor is one that serves this function in a DC power network.
Types of Reactor