Transient analysis of distribution class adaptive VAr compensators: simulation and field test results

Simulation studies are performed to analyze the transient behavior of the adaptive VAr compensator (AVC), a power electronic device installed at the distribution level, during its design, installation and field testing stages. The simulation model includes detailed models for power apparatus, power semiconductor devices and low signal level electronics. Hence, by using this model, a wide range of simulation studies which contribute towards the development of the AVC and its effectiveness in the field can all be performed on the same platform. A new power electronics simulator called SABER has proven to be very effective for this study because of its model-independent structure and extensive library that covers various disciplines of engineering. The simulation studies are aimed at gaining a better understanding of the interaction between the AVC and the distribution system. They cover a range of phenomena such as switching transients due to mechanical capacitor bank closing, fast transients due to reverse recovery of the power diodes of the AVC, power system harmonics and voltage flicker problem. This paper also briefly describes the criteria for selection of the simulation tool and the models developed