Effects of Reactive Compensation on Induction Motor Dynamic Performance

Induction motors are known to cause voltage dip, inrush current, and a low lagging power factor in the distribution network. To compensate for these effects shunt capacitor banks are generally used. Recently, however, an increasing number of utility operation departments are reporting increased occurrence of poor motor performance and excessive voltage dips during starting and running although they properly used shunt capacitor banks. The use of series capacitor banks appears to be helpful in some cases, while erratic and unexplained motor behaviour occurs in other cases.