A Comparative Performance Analysis between Saturated Core Voltage Regulators Using Silicon Steel and Amorphous Alloys

Abstract

The focus of the paper presented herein is directedtowards the investigative study of the operational performance of saturated  reactors  intended  for  voltage  regulation,  which  consist of magnetic silicon steel cores and amorphous alloys. In order to reach  the  defined  goal,  two  similar  devices  in  terms  of  voltage operation  and  reactive  power  compensation  are  employed,  both embodied  with  a  twin-tripler  or  12  pulse  configuration.  Both devices are modelled and implemented onto the ATP simulator to carry  out  comparative  studies.  Through  the  use  of  a classicdistribution feeder, performance studies   concerning   sudden voltage  variations are considered,  which  are  focused  on  above all:   evaluation   of   active   losses,   non-saturated and   saturated reactive power, waveforms for inductive current and voltage with their  harmonic  spectra.  The  results  obtained  from  the  studies allows   for   a   prompt   correlation   between   the   characteristics associated  with the  functionality  of  the  device,  highlighting  the advantages offered by the use of one or other magnetic material.