Development and field testing of a 15-kV class adaptive VAr compensator

A 15 kV class adaptive VAr compensator (AVC) is developed and field tested. The AVC is a solid state switched, binary stepped capacitor bank, used to compensate any rapidly changing reactive demand within one-half cycle without introducing transients or harmonics. The main features of the AVC are introduced followed by an historical evolution. A general description of each major module is presented and modifications as development proceeded are shown. Results from two industrial site installations are also presented showing the adverse conditions in which the AVC will successfully operate. >